JESSICA VAUGHN
Staff Writer
Pepperdine celebrates its sixth-annual observance of the Week of Peace, Hope and Justice, a creation of the student-led Amnesty International, this week.
The theme of WPHJ 2006 is “Children and Social Justice,” a theme that Deborah Whang, current president of Amnesty International, said she is personally zealous about.
“I am passionate about human rights, especially when it comes to children. I wanted this year to focus on children who are often neglected or ignored,” Whang said. “Children truly are the future and what we do or don’t do on their behalf makes a great impact.”
The Week of Peace, Hope and Justice (WPHJ) was created by Amnesty International 2000 president Mona Lisa Galang.
“The purpose of PHJ is educating the student body on issues surrounding social justice and on ways they could make a difference,” said Whang.
To achieve the goal of promoting awareness, Whang and the PHJ planning committee have been working on the week since late September.
Pulling her fellow student leaders together and working with different offices on campus, PHJ became a collaborative task according to Whang.
Efforts by Amnesty International, YIFTU (You and I for the Universe), Intercultural Affairs, Convocation and the Pepperdine Volunteer Center made PHJ possible.
Steve Hass kicked-off he week when he spoke about the HIV/AIDS crisis Tuesday at a convocation event.
Also on Tuesday, Pepperdine’s gospel choir performed at a convocation event to further promote awareness about social issues.
Wednesday’s Convocation program featured Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil.
McNeil specializes in racial and ethnic issues and is well known for her presentations at colleges and churches around the country.
McNeil also spoke at the Talk Back session later that day, allowing students and other members of the Pepperdine community to have a conversation with her about the issues she discussed.
Today features the Non-Profit/Volunteer Fair and Fair Trade coffee bar and the controversial film “Born into Brothels,” a documentary film about children living in the brothels of Calcutta, India.
“I’m really looking forward to ‘Born into Brothels,’” Whang said. “Movies and documentaries are powerful tools when it comes to spreading awareness and they usually attract a big crowd. Hopefully the turnout will be great on Thursday night.”
01-19-2006