University of Michigan News Service – UM News

Former Senator George Mitchell to speak on world peace

EDITORS: For more info on the Religion, Security, and Violence in Global Contexts series, visit www.umich.edu/~iinet/iisite/events/religion_security_violence.html.

ANN ARBOR—”Is World Peace an Impossible Dream?” Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-Maine) will provide fresh insight on world peace during a public presentation at the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium at 3 p.m. on April 4. Drawing on his experience as a leading American political figure and highly respected peace negotiator in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, Mitchell will discuss current challenges to global security and possibilities for peace after terrorism.

Mitchell was chairman of Peace Negotiations in Northern Ireland, which led to the landmark Good Friday Agreement of 1998. He has written a book about the experience titled “Making Peace.” In 2000, he served as chairman of the International Fact Finding Committee that examined the crisis between the Israelis and Palestinians. The American Red Cross appointed him in
Mitchell has received several awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civil honor the U.S. government can give), the Truman Institute Peace Prize, the German Peace Prize, and the United Nations (UNESCO) Peace Prize.

The Mitchell presentation is sponsored by U-M’s International Institute, through an initiative on Religion, Security, and Violence in Global Contexts. The Institute is examining the challenges facing the United States and the world in the aftermath of the September terrorist attacks. Event co-sponsors include U-M’s Center for European Studies, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Center for Russian and East European Studies, Office of the President, and Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.