Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium

Workshop Panel: "Real Life Stories of Hope from Conflict-Induced Migration"

Global conflict is the primary cause of human migration and exacerbates inequalities, poverty, hunger, and other social issues. However, there are many stories of resilience and hope from individuals fleeing violence. This panel will discuss first-hand experiences with conflict and migration from several individuals connected to the Houghton community. The panel will particularly focus on the role of the local church in creating a welcoming space for those fleeing conflict-induced migration.

"A Pointless War – Ukraine's 500 Years of Dodging Bullets."

Whatever description one chooses to associate with the regime in power - Communism, Soviet Union, Czarist Russia or otherwise, the present-day oppressive onslaught on the free and democratic Ukraine represents an evolutionary continuation of the attack which has been all but on-going for centuries. Is it all as black and white as what much of the media has us believing? Very likely so but, if nothing else, it is certainly a much more complicated present-day existence than what many realize.

This event has been approved for Around the Table credit.

"Faith in the Future: Environmental Peacebuilding in the Face of Conflict and Climate Change"

Climate change and conflict exist in a dangerous spiral: climate change acts as a threat multiplier for instability and conflict. Conflict damages the communal and ecological foundations of climate resilience. This relationship illustrates the nature of climate change as more than a technological crisis; it is also a relational and spiritual crisis caused by extractive and violent ideologies. However, this downward spiral is not the only option. There is also a productive spiral: collaboration around climate resilience can build communal justice and cohesion. In turn, greater justice and cohesion help prevent violence and conflict. Collectively, this forward spiral is a process known as environmental peacebuilding.

This interactive workshop will focus on opportunities for environmental peacebuilding and build connections between climate change, peace, and spirituality. Participants will have the opportunity to apply this theory directly by engaging in a climate futures game and will leave with a call to imagination and action.

Elsa Barron is an environmental peace and security researcher, writer, and youth activist. She is a Research Fellow at the D.C.-based think tank, the Center for Climate and Security. She also collaborates with the Institute for Climate and Peace (ICP), a Hawai╩╗i-based climate justice organization, and advocates for climate action amongst youth and faith communities. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, and the Christian Science Monitor, among others. In addition to writing, she is the host of the podcast, Olive Shoot, which highlights reasons for hope in the midst of the climate crisis through diverse approaches to environmental peacebuilding around the world. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame where she studied peace studies and biology and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship upon graduation. During her studies, Elsa researched grassroots environmental peacebuilding in Palestine. She has continued to engage in the region, and recently returned from Bethlehem where she led a project to construct a methane digester at a sustainable, peace-oriented farm.

This event is approved for Around the Table credit

Artist Statement: 'Chaos' is a body of work that documents the uncomfortable realities that war brings. It's a collection of stories told by the victims and perpetrators of war, often analyzing the truths and the lies told by both parties. Created between 2019 and 2020, the work greatly varies in style and execution where each painting offers a different set of questions. Another reason for the stylistic diversity is that this was a formative period for the artist and experimentation was a key tool used to materialize all the paintings exhibited.

Joel was born in 1996 in the city of Nyakunde in the Democratic Republic of Congo and migrated to the United States in 2014. He graduated from Houghton University with a major in Business Administration and minors in Political Science and Art. Joel currently works for Houghton University while practicing his art from home in Houghton. His artistic work aims to reflect on the duality of nature that manifests itself through beauty and chaos.

This event has been approved for Around the Table credit.

"From Wrong to Strong: How Trauma Can Forge Resilience"
Trauma can devastate, leaving us to wonder, "What's wrong with me?" What helps people break free from cycles of violence and trauma? How do we open ourselves and our communities to using our voice and choice to transform trauma into resilience? Breaking free from cycles of violence is not only possible, but indispensable to our faith. As the body of Christ, we can transform wounds into wellbeing and trauma into resilience, turning the question, "What's wrong with me?" into "What's strong in me?" Though we cannot change the events of our story, we can change the way we experience our story—individually and collectively.

This event is approved for Around the Table credit.