sign in sign up
<<
Home , Season for Nonviolence

Presenters and Co-Sponsors

Mr. Ibrahim A. Sharif was appointed by New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey as Executive Director of A Season for

the New Jersey State Martin Luther , Jr. Commemorative Commission in 2002, after serving as a 13th Annual New York Observance Commissioner for six years. Recently, Mr. Sharif was re-appointed to the MLK, Jr. Commission by former Governor Jon Corzine. Currently, he is the Government Representative at the New Jersey State Parole Board, 6 May 2010 managing re-entry programs to ensure quality organization, transparency, and measured outcomes.

Assemblywoman Janele-Hyer-Spencer represents the 60th Assembly District, which covers the East Shore of Staten Island “SPEAK OUT, UNITE, END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN” and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In the Assembly, Janele fights for her constituents on the Aging, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Children and Families, Energy, Judiciary, and Transportation committees.

Eric Held is an 18-year-old who graduated with honors from Susan E. Wagner High School, where he was a student of Wagner’s Institute of Law and Politics. A certified peer mediator and certified by the Anti Defamation League as a Peer Welcome: Mr. Gary M. Giordano Educator, he was given the nickname “Mr. Mediation” senior year. Eric, now a freshman at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Principal, Susan E. Wagner High School plans a double major in Forensic Psychology and Deviant Behavior and Social Control with a minor in Dispute Resolution. Greeting: Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer Robert Alan Silverstein is a longtime dedicated champion of peace, whose work on the UN International Day of Peace has had an impact around the world. Following the murder of his beautiful daughter, also a budding peacemaker, he established the Emily Fund for a Better World, which includes the “Do One Thing” campaign for young people to make a difference in the world. The Season for Nonviolence: Eric Held, Master of Ceremonies www.emilyfund.org and www.StopDatingViolence.org. Musical Presentation: "Amani" and "When I Close My Eyes" Joan Mckeever-Thomas is the UFT (United Federation of Teachers) Parent and Community Outreach Liaison for Staten Island The Trenton Children’s Chorus, directed by Patricia Thel for the last 5 years. She served as President of the Staten Island Federation of PTAs from 2001-2003 and served a short time Music Written by Jim Papoulis and Arranged by Francisco Nunez as a parent member on the NYC Panel Educational Policy.

Dina Tush’s19-year-old daughter Jessica was killed by her boyfriend in April 2008. She is joining forces with Assemblyman History of The Season for Nonviolence: Eric Held Michael Cusick to draft legislation to make education about teen dating violence mandatory in school curricula. Youth Presentation: IDEA Youth Interfaith, Dialogue, Education and Action (IDEA) is a Temple of Understanding youth program whose goal is to build community, foster values of respect and understanding, and nurture young leaders for a new culture of peace and justice. In 2010-2011, the focus is on the community of Staten Island, New York, where participating youth explore opinions and ideas Keynote Address: “SPEAK OUT, UNITE, END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN” from various perspectives in a forum that encourages open interfaith debate and discussion. Mr. Ibrahim A. Sharif New Jersey State Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission The Trenton Children’s Chorus (TCC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Patty Thel, is celebrating its 20th season. TCC enables students in K-12th grade from the greater Trenton area to experience the artistic power and spirit of creating music together. TCC has performed with Bobby McFerrin and Dave Brubeck; with the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra; for Musical Presentation: "Can You Hear?" and "Give Us Hope" interfaith services sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund at the National Cathedral; and for the inauguration of NJ Governor The Trenton Children’s Chorus, directed by Patricia Thel Chris Christie, as well as at the Season for Nonviolence in 2007 at the United Nations. www.trentonchildrenschorus.org Music Written by Jim Papoulis and Arranged by Francisco Nunez

The Susan E. Wagner Program, founded in 1993, is an institution for nonviolence and peace that fosters the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma as guides toward hope in our schools and in our communities. Personal Reflection and Action Steps from Parents The Conflict Resolution Program, in partnership with Gina Simo and "Building Bridges," continues to lead in the field of Peace Joan Mckeever-Thomas and Community Leadership. Susan Wagner H.S. also has one of the most prominent Council for Unity Chapters in the Nation. Robert Alan Silverstein Dina Tush The Association for Global New Thought is the official co-founder and convener of the Gandhi King Chavez Season for Nonviolence. AGNT was co-founded in 1996 to represent a network of over a thousand centers among Unity, Religious Science, and nondenominational communities committed to spiritually motivated activism. Programs include: The Synthesis Dialogues Youth Performance: "Stand Up-Speak Out-End Violence Against Woman!" with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Abraham Path Initiatives in the Middle East and Worldwide in partnership with Harvard Students of Susan E. Wagner High School Conflict Resolution Program University’s Project on Negotiation, the NEW SEASONS for the Earth, Humane Service, & Interfaith Celebration. www.agnt.org Under the direction of Mr. George Anthony

The Temple of Understanding works to achieve peaceful coexistence among individuals, communities, and societies through World Peace Flag Ceremony: Led by Deborah Moldow interfaith education. Innovative programs for high school, university and adult students emphasize experiential knowledge and dialogue to connect people across a spectrum of communities. Founded in 1960, the Temple of Understanding is a non-profit The World Peace Prayer Society and Non-Governmental Organization with Consultative Status at the United Nations. www.templeofunderstanding.org Closing and Appreciation: Eric Held The United Religions Initiative (URI), a worldwide, grassroots interfaith organization with Consultative Status at the UN, was founded in 2000 to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, end religiously motivated violence, and build cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. Thousands of members in 65 countries represent more than 100 Procession with Flags to Peace Pole Dedication religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions. www.uri.org

The World Peace Prayer Society, an international organization affiliated with the UN Department of Public Information, is dedicated to promoting the universal prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The uplifting World Peace Flag Ceremony sends this May Peace Prevail on Earth message of peace to every country as its flag is raised. Other activities include the Peace Pole Project and the Peace Pals program for children. www.worldpeace.org

A Season for Nonviolence A Season for Nonviolence 2010

“.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Season for Nonviolence, - April 4, is a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of , Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar E. Chavez, this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.

The Season for Nonviolence has been observed at the United Nations since 1998. This year’s historic celebration goes out into the community to be held in a New York area school.

The Association for Global New Thought is the convener of SNV, and its co-founder with Arun and Sunanda Gandhi of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. International directors are: Dr. , former executive assistant to Dr. King, Dean Lawrence Carter of the MLK Jr. International Chapel at Mahatma Gandhi Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Cesar E. Chavez Morehouse College, the Very Rev. James Parks Morton of the Interfaith Center of New York, Alison Van Dyk of the Temple of Understanding, and Dr. Richard Deats of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Project Director is Barbara Fields, Executive Director of the “SPEAK OUT, UNITE, Association for Global New Thought. END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN” From January 30th memorial anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to the King April 4th memorial, with Chavez’ birthday falling in between, A Season for Nonviolence has seeded substantial activity in 467 cities in 40 states and 18 countries. Fifty percent of our United 13th Annual New York Observance States governors, and many mayors issued official

“Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not proclamations for the 64-day period, and over 700 unique discussion. It is not for the timid or events and programs have been developed and carried out at weak... Nonviolence is hard work. It is the local level during the Season. Media coverage includes the willingness to sacrifice. It is the radio and television broadcasts, PSA and film productions, and patience to win.” – Cesar Chavez print publications at all levels from local to national press. Hundreds of major peace organizations, religious, business, arts, and learning institutions have come forward as official co-sponsors and collaborators for the Season for Nonviolence initiative.

A Season for Nonviolence is gathering momentum every year with programs and events that bridge not only person-to-person and community to community, but country to country, uniting groups of people around the world in simple activities that reflect a global family for peace. To find out about existing task forces in your area please contact 6 May 2010 • 3:30-5:00 pm [email protected]. Susan E. Wagner High School "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." – Mahatma Gandhi Gary M. Giordano, Principal

A Season for Nonviolence – NYC/United Nations Program Task Force Event Co-Sponsors George Anthony, Susan E. Wagner High School Conflict Resolution Program Barbara Fields, The Association for Global New Thought Suzanne Guthrie, The Temple of Understanding The Association for Global New Thought Deborah Moldow, The World Peace Prayer Society The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence Megan Stanek, The Association for Global New Thought The Temple of Understanding Alison Van Dyk, The Temple of Understanding The United Religions Initiative Monica Willard, The United Religions Initiative The World Peace Prayer Society Susan E. Wagner High School Conflict Resolution Student Task Force Members: Amanda Fiore Abdul Hafiz Jacob Hornado Tatiana Ndjatou Osai Odia Shannen Rogozin

May Peace Prevail on Earth

May Peace Prevail on Earth