International peace worker, Arthur Romano, a certified non-violence trainer and accomplished international educator who has worked globally to challenge violence and promote peace, will be a guest speaker at Penn State Worthington Scranton on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Mr. Romano's presentation, which is being sponsored by Prudential, coincides with several other activities planned at the campus to celebrate Interdependence Week, which focuses on diversity and community issues.
The evening was also planned as a way for the campus community to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, which was the impetus for the national establishment of Interdependence Day in 2003.
In the days following the violence of September 11, Mr. Romano joined with a group of concerned citizens to counteract the narrowing national debate and increasing calls for retaliatory measures in response to those attacks. The World Peace Walk resulted, with members walking more than 300 miles from the site of the former World Trade Towers to the Pentagon.
During that time, Mr. Arthur met with people from all walks of life and helped to provide a space for communities to grieve and explore the possibilities for non-violent responses to those acts of hatred. He continues to work to further cross-cultural and interfaith understanding, including efforts to promote dialogue between Americans and people from abroad, with focused interest on increasing direct, face-to-face diplomacy and exchanges.
He has spoken several times at the United Nations and has collaborated with the Department of Public Information to promote the Gandhi-King Season for Non-violence and the International Day of Peace. For more information on Mr. Romano, go to: http://www.wolfmanproductions.com/romano.html
Mr. Romano's presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in the K. Bruce Sherbine Lounge in the campus' Study Learning Center. For more information, call 963-2700.
In addition to Romano's appearance, the campus will also be holding a service fair on Thursday, Sept. 15 for area non-profits and service agencies, a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Sept. 14, and a candlelight vigil (date TBA).
