U.N. Day of Peace observed in Middletown

George Anthony watches Dr. Saliba Sarsar as they lead a workshop called "What It Takes to Be a Peace Builder." The two appeared as part of the Mini UN Peace Conference held in Lincroft. MIDDLETOWN — The United Nations International Day of Peace was recognized recently at the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought in Lincroft.

"Weaving Peace: What Can We Do?" featured Middletown resident George S. Anthony and Dr. Saliba Sarsar, Monmouth University vice president of academic initiatives and international relations.

The international speaker was W. Gyude Moore of Liberia, a Pedro Arupe scholar of Peace at Georgetown University.

Anthony and Sarsar opened the conference on "Becoming a Peacemaker" on Sept. 20.

Anthony spoke about the role of a peacemaker/ keeper within his or her community, whether between friends, family or community.

Sarsar discussed the transition an individual needs to embark on to take on the responsibilities a peacemaker/keeper in national

and international forums. Moore discussed the role of the peacekeeper, who, he said, is the guardian of our best qualities and values handed down to us by the generations that have come before us. He said that when we label things and people, we define what their lot will be. Labels inform how people will be treated, what amenities they will have, and the extent to which we tolerate them. He cited the devastation of Darfur and the massacres in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia as examples.

A panel of community peace builders followed the lecture. The panel was moderated by Joe Ritacco, a member of the Monmouth Center board.

For more information, contact Anthony at 732-895-1530 or e-mail him at georgeanthony4@aol.com.