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Northeast Regional Department of Peace Conference
The Second Northeast Regional Department of Peace Conference was held March 28-30, 2008, at The Canonicus Retreat Center in Exeter, RI. Attendees came from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey to share their ideas and experiences in the movement to create a cabinet level Department of Peace and Nonviolence. With our Peace Dove float, "Grace" in tow, the NH DoP team arrived early to set Grace up as the official greeter. There were many photo ops with Grace throughout the weekend.
One third of the 85 attendees were students, many of which are part of the Student Peace Alliance. These young people brought an abundant amount of energy and ideas to share. One student commented on how exciting it was for her to be among like-minded adults who listened to what the students had to say.
During the 3-day conference, attendees were treated to the wonderful music of Peace Troubadour, Cecilia St. King.
Participants left refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated for the many tasks that await us in our campaign to establish a United States Department of Peace and Nonviolence. Jan Grossman - NH Department of Peace Steering Committee
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Friday evening's keynote speaker, Dot Maver, President and CEO of Peace Partnership International spoke on "Being the Change and the Global Peace Movement." Saturday was filled with workshops ranging from Intro to DoP legislation and Campaign for Newcomers, Unraveling the Patriarchy for Peace, It Takes a Village: Bringing Veterans Home to Nonviolent Communication and Restorative Justice & Prison Practices.
