"Doing Justice: The Path of Peace" with Oscar Arias Sanchez

A former president is in town tonight. Dispel the familiar images dancing through your head right now; this is neither the fanatical jogger nor King George's dad. Nobel Peace Prize recipient Oscar Arias Snchez, once leader of Costa Rica -- a country amazing for its lack of a standing army -- has been invited to give a speech on the harmful effects of globalization and militarization on democracy, and the need for global justice.

Responsible for his appearance is the Pendle Hill Peace Network, a Quaker-based organization promoting peace activism and research. Snchez is here to participate in the network's weekly Forum, a series of lectures from both activists and academics already committed to working for a peaceful word and for direct resistance to oppression, according to John Meyer, the Forum's organizer.

The network itself, he says, was conceptualized just after 9/11 based on the belief that those studying the preconditions for a peaceful world and conflict resolution need to have as much intense work and dedication as the Roves and the Rumsfelds of the world put into planning for war. Snchez's monumental experience with peace work should prove an insightful jumping-off point in this organization's search for sustained peace.

"Doing Justice: The Path of Peace" with Oscar Arias Sanchez, Thu., Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., free, Lang Performing Arts Center, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, 610-566-4507, ext. 121.

—Keegan O'Connor

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