PEC Establishes Tom Schneider Peacemaker Award

By admin on April 16, 2013

The Peace Education Center (PEC) of Greater Lansing has announced the establishment of the Tom Schneider Peacemaker Award, to be given annually to a graduating mid-Michigan high school senior who has acted to promote peace and justice, and who seeks to further those values in the world. The PEC plans to present the inaugural award in spring 2013.

Thomas Schneider, December 6, 1942 - December 8, 2011

The award is in memory of Tom Schneider, a local activist and Bath Township Supervisor, who touched every life he encountered in our community and around the world. Tom was involved with the Abrahamic Community, Haven House, Peace Education Center, Bath Township Recycling Group, WKAR Radio Talking Book, Great Lakes Folk Festival, Habitat for Humanity, Looking Glass Community Services, Saint John’s Student Parish, and many other volunteer efforts throughout mid-Michigan. He died in the prime of his life on December 8, 2011.

Tom was a model of how we might build a more peaceful community.  He excelled at “networking” before that term was ever coined, simply by being fully present to others, wherever he went across the globe.  Tom was a responsible world citizen, actively listening and engaging others to join him in the quest to create a better planet. The Tom Schneider Peacemaker Award hopes to recognize young people who strive to carry on Tom’s peacemaking legacy.

In announcing the award, Peace Education Center’s board member Terry Link said, “This award celebrates the young peacemaker, and can be used for purposeful travel or study.  It will enable the recipient to contribute to a specific peace and justice endeavor.” The Peace Education Center plans to recognize the award winner at the student’s school, as well as at a public event to be announced soon. A projected endowment of $20,000 or more will enable the Center to award up to $1,000 annually.

For further information or to apply for the Tom Schneider Peacemaker Award, visit http://www.peaceedcenter.org/schneider-peacemaker-award/ or call 517-515-5634 or 517-651-2005. The award application PDF fillable form can be downloaded here, or a Word document here. Email inquiries may be directed to peaceedcenter[at]gmail[dot]com.

Donations to the Tom Schneider Peacemaker Award Endowment

Donations to the Tom Schneider Peacemaker Award Endowment may be sent to the Peace Education Center at 855 Grove Street, East Lansing, MI  48823.  Check should be made out to “Peace Education Center” with the memo line “Schneider Peacemaker Award.”   Donations may be made by credit card securely online  here.  Online donations should be designated as “Schneider Peacemaker Award.”

 

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An Evening with Award-Winning Author, Anti-Nuclear Activist Cecile Pineda on March 14, 2013 at 7 p.m.

By admin on March 10, 2013

This is an evening with award-winning author and anti-nuclear activist Cecile Pineda, who will stop in East Lansing during her current tour of the Midwest. Cecile, author of DEVIL’S TANGO: HOW I LEARNED THE FUKUSHIMA STEP By STEP, will give her stirring insight of the nuclear industry and update us on the consequences of the tragic event that began to unfold on March 11, 2011, with the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility.

DEVIL’S TANGO is the author’s anguished dissection of the nuclear industry in which a crazy quilt of multiple voices, pieced together day-by-day, reflect’s Cecile’s attempt to come to terms with Fukushima’s catastrophic consequences to the planet.

Cecile’s book will be available for purchase and signing.

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at 7 p.m. at 109 S. Kedzie Hall on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI.

The event is hosted by the Peace Education Center and co-sponsored by Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination (CACC) and MSU’s Peace and Justice Studies Program.

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Youth Organizations Invited to 3rd Annual “World Friendship Day” on March 16, 2013

By admin on February 25, 2013

The Peace Education Center and local community organizations will hold the third annual “World Friendship Day,” a free, fun-filled educational event for Mid-Michigan middle school students on Saturday, March 16, 2013 in East Lansing.  The event will provide an opportunity for youth to connect with people of diverse backgrounds while exploring issues of peace, diversity, and tolerance.  The students will experience an active day involving music, art, and dance; workshops during the day-long event will promote unity, individual empowerment, and encourage participants to be the change they wish to see in this world. A delicious international luncheon will be served to all student participants.

Participating Youth Group in 2012

“World Friendship” program is for youth ages 11 – 15.  Adult advisors of Mid-Michigan youth groups, student organizations, and community service groups are encouraged to register for the event by sending an email message to worldfriendshipday[at]gmail[dot]com or by calling the Peace Education Center at 517-515-5634.  Registration is now open.

The event will be 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Spartan Village Community Center, 1460 Middleville Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.  The event  has been organized by the Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing, the Greater Lansing United Nations Association (GLUNA), MSU’s Asian Studies Center, and the local education partnership, LATTICE, or Linking all Types of Teachers to International Cross-cultural Education.

The students will get to hear guest lunchtime speaker, Ms. Shirin Kambin Timms, Executive Director of the Refugee Development Center in Lansing, Michigan.

“World Friendship Day” workshops for the youth will include hands-on activities from around the world focusing on peace through understanding.  The day will include live international musical performances, education games, and arts and crafts activities. Youth participants will enjoy a delicious international luncheon donated by local restaurants.

For additional information about “World Friendship Day,” please contact Ruth Borgelt of the Peace Education Center at 517-515-5634 or peaceedcenter[at]gmail[dot]com.

2012 World Friendship Day

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Independent Media, Independent Book Stores: A Celebration

By admin on December 3, 2012

Thursday, December 6, 2012, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

“A Celebration of Independent Media and Bookstores,

with a Special Tribute to Everybody Reads Books & Stuff”

Special Guest Includes Voices from the Underground Editor Ken Wachsberger

LOCATION: The Avenue Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48912

The evening will honor the underground press and independent bookstores, specifically Everybody Reads Books and Stuff.  The Peace Education Center will host editor Ken Wachsberger, who has released the 4th volume of the Voices from the Underground book series on the history of the underground press.

Wachsberger will discuss the underground press and he will also lead a discussion on the community importance and impact of Everybody Reads, Lansing’s only independent bookstore.  The proceeds from sales of the Voices from the Underground books will be donated to Everybody Reads. The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m.
An informal reception, including light fare, with Wachsberger will precede the talk at 6 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.  Special recognition will be given to Everybody Reads Books & Stuff and proprietor, Scott Harris.  Attendees will have the opportunity to acknowledge the community contributions of the book store and say special words about Scott.

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Consider This Before You Enlist: THE INVISIBLE WAR

By admin on November 20, 2012

The Peace Education Center will host two free showings of the award-winning documentary about the epidemic of rape of soldiers in the U.S. military.
There will be a screening in East Lansing on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus on Wednesday, Nov. 28. 2012, at 7 p.m.  There will be another screening the next day in Lansing at the CADL Library Auditorium on November 29, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. Here are the details:

Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
THE INVISIBLE WAR: Movie Screening and Community Discussion
LOCATION: 105 S. Kedzie Hall, MSU Campus, East Lansing, MI  48824
“The Invisible War” The documentary runs 97 minutes and will be followed by a community discussion of the topic.

Thursday, November 29, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
THE INVISIBLE WAR: Movie Screening and Community Discussion
LOCATION:  Capital Area District Library – Lansing Branch Auditorium, 401 S. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI  48933

“The Invisible War” The documentary runs 97 minutes and will be followed by a community discussion of the topic.

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