Events
IPJ Dedicatory Conference
Joan B. Kroc at the Dedication Ceremony
Jimmy Carter at the IPJ Dedication Ceremony December 5-7, 2001
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
San Diego, CA
Local, national, and international leaders met at the University of San Diego December 5-7 for the formal dedication activities of its Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice. The three-day dedication began with the official dedication ceremony for the building from 4-6pm on the 5th, and on December 6th and 7th, a major policy conference took place in the new Institute's auditorium on the theme, "Peacemaking with Justice: Policy for the 21 st Century." Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo, UN Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast, and Justice Richard Goldstone were among the many participants and speakers.
Invited guests for the official dedication ceremony on the 5th included Joan Kroc, former President Rodrigo Carazo Odio of Costa Rica, and Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, former President of Notre Dame. Liam McGee, chairman of USD's Board of Trustees and President of Bank of America California, and USD President Alice B. Hayes to officiate at the event. About 450 civic and business leaders, and supporters of USD attended the dedication, which included a ribbon-cutting, tours of the Institute, and a reception.
The December 6-7 conference's intention was to open a dialogue between peacemakers in official and unofficial processes with members of the human rights and justice communities to formulate policies that ensure peace processes and peace agreements that incorporate justice and human rights. Participants explored the integration of justice in four peace processes--those of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Macedonia, and Nepal. Representatives from these governments included government officials as well as members of civil society.
This conference marked the launching of the Institute as a place where world and local leaders can find a safe space in which to engage in dialogue to shape or influence policy. The Institute, the only center of its kind on the West Coast and one of just a few in the world, will focus on outreach, research, and academic programs in its efforts to address the causes of intergroup violence at the local and global levels.
The tragic events of September 11th illustrate the need to find new ways to address conflict and to build a culture of peace. In the words of Mrs. Kroc, "We must not only teach peace, but make peace."
"Peace without justice isn't sustainable," said Dr. Joyce Neu, the Institute's executive director and the former senior associate director for the conflict resolution program at The Carter Center in Atlanta.
If you woud like a copy of the Dedicatory Conference Report please email us your request and address at ipj@sandiego.edu.
