Xavier sponsors “Coming to Understand Haiti” 3-part series

On Sunday March 21 at 7:00 p.m., Xavier University’s office of Peace & Justice Programs and four student clubs will kick off a free three-part series open to both the campus and the community entitled, “Coming to Understand Haiti: Past, Present, and Future.” The goal of the series is to continue to raise our communities’ awareness of the situation in Haiti by reaching beyond fundraising toward a deeper understanding of the cultural and geopolitical context of Haiti and to explore the role of the international community in the county’s past, present, and future.

The first event on Sunday March 21 at 7:00 p.m., exploring Haiti’s past, will include a short film and discussion led by Dr. Julia O’Hara of the Xavier history department and a closing reflection by Dr. Chris Pramuk, Xavier professor of theology. The second event in the series will take place, Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m.. The exploration of the present situation in Haiti will be led by Dr. Richard Gosser, Director of Partners in Progress for Haiti with an international aid overview provided by Vince Costello of the International Red Cross. The final event in the series, a panel discussion on Sunday, March 28 at 5:00 p.m., will explore options for Haiti’s future. Panelists include Katy Ryan, Catholic Relief Services and Dr. Mark Boardman, Miami University professor of geology. All events in the series will take place in Kelley Auditorium in Alter Hall on the Xavier campus.

There is no cost for attendance, although donations will be welcomed at each event, and no RSVP is necessary. “Coming to Understand Haiti: Past, Present, and Future” is a collaborative event sponsored by Peace & Justice Programs, Students for Economic Justice, International Students’ Society, Voices of Solidarity, and Student Athletes Advisory Council.