Women Taking Action for Peace: Voice of Women Conference

Nova Scotia Voice of Women invites you to the National Conference of Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. There are 3 free public events and 3 ticketed events that require advance registration or RSVP.

All ticketed events are free for students and low income everyone else please pay what you can to help cover food costs.

For a full list of events, for more information, or to register for the Conference on Saturday, the Awards Dinner on Saturday evening, and/or the AGM on Sunday, please visit http://vowpeace.org/conference-registration/, call 902-455-8544, or email peace@nsvow.org.

Schedule of Events:

1. FREE: Thursday, Nov. 3, 12:00 – 1:00 pm: public lecture by Tamara Lorincz, “A Climate for War? A Critical Examination of Western Militaries’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Defence Expenditures and Energy Security Strategies”. Co-sponsored by Dalhousie University’s Centre for the Study of Security and Development in the Lord Dal Room, Henry Hicks Building.

2. FREE: Thursday, Nov. 3, 6:00 – 8:30 pm: public screening and moderated discussion of the film, “Partners for Peace”, a feature-length documentary that follows a delegation from the Nobel Women’s Initiative on a journey to Israel and Palestine. Their quest is to learn about the decades-long conflict and to reach out in solidarity to women activists striving amidst the turmoil. Co-sponsored by the Halifax Public Libraries, in Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library.

3. FREE: Friday, Nov. 4, 7:00 – 9:00 pm: public panel on Military Sexualized Violence. Panelists: Shelly Whitman, Maya Eichler, Tamara Lorincz. Atrium 101, Saint Mary’s University.

4. RSVP in advance is appreciated: Saturday, Nov. 5. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (doors open at 8:30 for registration and refreshments): Presentations, workshops and small group sessions. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Unilever Lounge, Sobey Building, Saint Mary’s University. Sessions include:

“Creating the Successful Grassroots Movement to Ban Uranium Mining in Nova Scotia”. Gillian Thomas and Donna Smyth will present on the activism they helped organize which was instrumental in bringing about a Moratorium which has permanently banned Uranium Mining in Nova Scotia.

“Why Human and Legal Inequality Exists for Women and Girls Who Survive Non-State Torture”. Exploring the patriarchal human rights discrimination that has existed at the United Nations level and how this filtered into national political legal resistance and the invisibility of women so tortured. Presented by Jeanne Sarson and Linda MacDonald.

“Reframing the Halifax Explosion as an Act of War”. Presented by Janet Maybee.

Breakout groups – Plans for Action. Group leaders include Janet Maybee (Making it Real: storytelling and street theatre), El Jones (spoken word) and others.

Concurrent small group sessions. Leaders include Bridget Brownlow (peace education), Nancy Covington (nuclear issues), and others.

5. RSVP in advance is required: Saturday, Nov. 5, 6:00 – 9:30 (doors open at 5:30 for cash bar). Outstanding Women for Peace Awards Dinner with special guest Kim Phuc, Vietnam War Survivor and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Also featuring spoken word performance by El Jones and songs by Sandy Greenberg. Unilever Lounge, Sobey Building, Saint Mary’s University.

6. RSVP in advance is required: Sunday, Nov. 6, 10:00 – 4:30 (doors open at 9:30 for registration and refreshments).
Annual General Meeting: 10:00 – 1:30 (with lunch provided), Unilever Lounge, Sobey Building, Saint Mary’s University.
Reception at Black Cultural Centre, Cherry Brook (assistance with transportation provided): 2:30 – 4:30.