News and Events
EASTERN UNIVERSITY’S PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE INSTITUTE SPONSORS COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM APRIL 3-4
St. Davids, PA, March 24, 2009: Eastern University's People for People Institute will sponsor a symposium entitled, Faith, Reason and Justice: A Three-tiered Conversation on the Prison Industrial Complex on Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4. The symposium will explore the issues surrounding mass incarceration in Philadelphia and the nation, including discussion regarding national policies, cultural attitudes, and organizations that are working to create change. Mr. William Dimascio of the Pennsylvania Prison Society will be the opening speaker, while Rev. Lin Crowe, currently of The Navigators and formerly head of the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation, will be the keynote speaker.
On Friday evening, the symposium will host "Justice and Jazz," a networking event and organization fair from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres will be available. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., there will be a screening of the documentary Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, followed by a panel discussion exploring if and how hip hop impacts the decisions of its listeners and any connections this has to the current over-incarceration rate among young adult black males.
Saturday will include a multi-disciplinary dialog that will emerge from a cross-section of diverse presenters and participants. Topics include "The Power and Importance of Change: Creating a New Mindset on Manhood;" "Is God in Prison: Wholistic Ministry to Prisoners and the Prison System;" "The Role of Arts in Restoration and Redemption;" and "Beyond the Rap: Is there a Message in the Music?"
The symposium is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP. To RSVP for all or any of the featured symposium events, please contact People for People Institute at 267.440.3509. Those interested in exhibit space for display of compatibly-themed organizations, events, books, etc., should contact Joy Mackey at jmackey@eastern.edu.
People for People Institute is a partnership between Eastern University and People for People Inc., to offer contextualized academic degree programs to constituents of People for People, Inc. and the Philadelphia community it serves.
Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences located at 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA. Eastern enrolls approximately 4,000 students in its undergraduate, graduate, professional, urban, Seminary and international programs. With sites in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Eastern University offers classes at multiple locations throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Through international partnerships, Eastern University programs are offered overseas. For more information about Eastern University, call 610.341.5967 or visit www.eastern.edu.
