Founders Day Symposium
on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development
In Memory of Dorothy Stang, SND
April 21, 2005
Schedule
Trinity’s Founders Day will take place this year on Thursday,
April 21, 2005. This year, the 200th anniversary of the Sisters
of Notre Dame de Namur, we have been celebrating their heritage
in many important ways. Now, in light of recent events—the
murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SND because of her courageous work
for environmental justice, and the reflections on the Church’s
teachings on social justice during the period of mourning for Pope
John Paul II—we have decided to create a Founders Day Symposium
that will be an important opportunity for learning, dialogue and
action for the Trinity community.
“Taking Up the Work of Dorothy Stang, SND” is the theme
of the day-long program. We will focus on issues in environmental
justice and sustainable development. The program will have several
important components: a series of speakers and discussions in symposium
format; the regular class schedule running parallel to the symposium,
with many of the classes that day taking time to discuss the issues;
and a series of films showing continuously through the day. Many
faculty also intend to prepare their students for the April 21 program
by addressing these issues in classes earlier in the week.
Members of Sr. Dorothy Stang’s family have agreed to participate
in part of the day, along with other excellent speakers.
The important traditions of Founders Day—the lunchtime picnic,
the Maypole, the evening banquet (this year with a Brazilian theme
and student speakers)—will also continue during this day.
Trinity honors its great founders—Sr. Julia McGroarty, Sr.
Mary Euphrasia Taylor, and all of the Sisters of Notre Dame who
came together in 1897 to establish Trinity—by continuing our
grand traditions of communal celebration, intellectual engagement
and passionate advocacy for social justice.
- Patricia McGuire, President
Schedule
Symposium Opening Session - 9:00am
Dorothy Stang, Martyr, Exemplar: Who was she? What was the cause
for which she sacrificed her life? (Sisters of Notre Dame and
members of Sr. Dorothy’s family)
Social Justice and Sustainable Development: Taking Up the Challenge
(Marie Dennis, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns)
Symposium Plenary Session - 10:30am
Empowering Indigenous Peoples to Protect Their Lands, Resources
and Cultures - Dr. Mac Chapin, Director of the Center for Native
Lands and Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation
Respondents: Dr. Minerva San Juan, Dr. Cristina Parsons
Prayer Service - 11:45am
Lead by Ms. Barbara McCrabb. All will gather in Notre Dame Chapel.
At the end of the service a tree will be planted in memory of
Dorothy Stang.
Founder's Day Picnic on the Front Lawn - 12:15pm
Symposium Plenary Session - 1:45pm
Lead by Mr. Peter Kostishack, Co-Director of the Amazon Alliance.
The Amazon Alliance is a leading non-governmental organization
working in the Amazon Basin, with an office in Washington, to
assist indigenous people, particularly in sensitive biological,
environmental, and cultural issues. Mr. Kostishack will speak
for about 15 minutes on his organization’s work and the
challenges it faces, and will inform students of opportunities
for working in conjunction with the alliance.
Symposium Closing Session - 3:00pm
Call to Action: What have we learned from the life and death
of Sr. Dorothy Stang? What specific, concrete actions can we take
as a community to move ahead with her commitments to the people
in Brazil and to the world at large?
Founders Day Traditions - 4:30pm
Maypole - Seymour Court
Founders Day Dinner - 5:30
Students nominated by faculty to deliver successful course papers
on topics related to social justice, human rights and economic
development
Call to Action - 7:30pm
What would we say to a new pope about our reflections on social
justice and the meaning of Sr. Dorothy Stang’s life and
death? What are our expectations for the messages the new pope
will carry forward around issues in economic development and human
rights?
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