Peace Studies Conference Fall 2000

"Healing Hands: Medicine and the Quest for Peace and Justice"

The Thirteenth Annual Peace Studies Conference

Sponsored by Saint John's University and College of Saint Benedict Peace Studies Department.

Sunday, September 24, 2000

Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota

7:30 p.m. -- Opening Speaker  (O'Connell's, CSB)
Fr. G. Simon Harak, S.J., Voices in the Wilderness

"Iraq: Medicine Under Siege"

Fr. Harak's comments focused on his belief that the United States' policy toward Iraq is a siege of their entire nation.  He cited a U.N. commissioned report that stated, "Ten years of U.N. sanctions driven by the United States and Great Britain has led to a humanitarian disaster comparable to the worst catastrophes of the past decades."  Fr. Harak discussed what it is like to practice medicine while under siege.  He commented specifically on dealing with public health crises caused by American policy, and on the psychological effects doctors and nurses face when the practice of medicine itself is attacked. 

Fr. Harak is a member of the Society of Jesus, and has served as a missionary in Jamaica and the Philippines.  He taught ethics at Fairfield University from 1986-2000, and was chosen as teacher of the year by Fairfield's students.  Aside from teaching, he has written many books.  Recently, he resigned his professorship at Fairfield to work full time resisting unfair sanctions with Voices in the Wilderness.  Fr. Harak has repeatedly and openly violated United States sanctions by bringing medicine to Iraq's hospitals.  He as also been arrested twice for protesting United States policy toward Iraq.  

Monday, September 25, 2000

1:00 p.m. -- Afternoon Keynote (Centenary Room, Quad 264--SJU)

Dr. Richard Garfield, C.P., School of Nursing, Columbia University

"Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the Post Cold War World:  The Role of Economic Sanctions"

2:40-3:50 p.m. -- Workshops (Quad 340, 341, 342--SJU)

4:00-5:00 p.m. -- Plenary (Quad 264--SJU)

7:30 p.m. -- Evening Keynote (Centenary Room, Quad 264--SJU)

Dr. David Hilfiker, MD, Joseph's House, Washington, DC

"Does Robert Have A Chance?  The Injustice of the Inner City"

Dr. Hilfiker focused on hard to answer questions that American inner city poverty poses on democracy and spirituality.  This included discussion on minorities being born underprivileged, and the American attitude that they should pull themselves into a better life, or go to jail.

At the time of this conference, Dr. Hilfiker was the Director of Joseph's House.  Saint Joseph's House is a shelter for previously homeless men with AIDS.  Dr. Hilfiker has served as both a country and inner city doctor, and has written multiple books.  He intends to work toward the creation of a just society through writing, speaking, and example.

All sessions were free and open to the public.