Being a Peacemaker, Leadership Series Event

The Office of Student Life and Graduate Student Council teamed up to host the first event of a Leadership Series, entitled “Being and Peacemaker” featuring Simon Amare Tekeba, Secretary General of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Ethiopia National Leader of FFWPU. The event was held on Monday, March 10th, and drew over a dozen participants, mainly from the Asian and African continents. Simon gave a presentation about his role working with UPF, the history of Ethiopia, including the religious, social, and political challenges and opportunities there, as well as his work with the religious leaders and the African Union, headquartered there. Wendweson Fikire, DMin student and GSC Treasurer, served as a respondent following Simon’s presentation. As someone who splits his time between the United States and Ethiopia, Wendweson was very knowledgeable of the spiritual and political climate in Ethiopia, and he shared about the importance of helping religious leaders to elevate spiritual values over political agendas, rather than allow political powers to influence the important work of these leaders. 

The connection and teamwork Simon and Wendweson demonstrated in their collective work with Ethiopia was palpable, and they worked together to answer participant questions. Questions included learning more about the opportunities for peace work in Ethiopia, the state of the youth, and strategies for reconciliation work between the different faith leaders there. The core message that surfaced by the end of the program was on the importance of helping people to focus their energy on their commonalities, their reverence to a divine source of true love that could unify everyone, and the need for people to open and change their hearts, rather than operating from a place of fear. This was a first time event organized by the current Student Council and it was great to see and hear Council representatives throughout the program.  Graduate Student Council President, Felecia Dorbor, shared some words of greeting at the start, helping to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

We look forward to creating similar events going forward so that students can have a platform to interface, garner ideas, and support one another in their own professional pursuits beyond their degree programs.

You can watch the recording HERE!