Discussion explores origins of international conflict
Oct. 15, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Two Western Michigan University professors will lead a discussion to explore the causes behind international conflict and examine strategies for prevention in a Tuesday, Oct. 22, session at the Portage (Mich.) Library.
The event is part of the discussion series, "Learning Out Loud: A Guided Exploration of Contemporary Issues," which provides a chance for the public to interact in a question-and-answer format with local experts on controversial issues.
The Oct. 22 talk, "Fighting Among Ourselves: Our World in Conflict," will feature Dr. Steven T. Benfell, WMU assistant professor of political science. The free session will begin at 7 p.m. in the Portage Senior Center at the Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage, Mich.
Dr. Nicholas Andreadis, WMU associate professor of counselor education and counseling psychology, serves as moderator and coordinator of the series. Sessions are formatted with a series of questions posed by Andreadis before discussion is opened up to the audience. A list of relevant books will be provided at the end of the evening for those who want additional information.
"Certainly, specific issues like Iraq and the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict will merit a great deal of discussion, but the focus will be on how we can use broader frameworks to help us understand specific events," says Benfell.
For more information, contact the Portage District Library at (269) 329-4542, ext. 600, or visit the Web at <www.portagelibrary.info>. Andreadis can be reached at (269) 387-3504.
Media contact: Matt Gerard, 269 387-8400, matthew.gerard@wmich.edu