Contents

Beyond September 11

Janice Jenner

As so many others did following September 11, we at the Conflict Transformation Program struggled with what we could do to be most helpful in a time of national and global crisis. We tried to work in ways that drew on our strengths as conflict transformation practitioners and as people of faith.

• We developed a web site called "Beyond September 11" where you can find a variety of articles relating to the events surrounding September 11. These are mostly short, descriptive, and analytical articles that we hope will open spaces for discussion and provide language for public dialogue and debate. Some of these articles have circled the globe, appearing in newspapers far and wide. CTP faculty, students and alumni wrote most of the articles; however, some are written by outside authors. Links to helpful web sites and other related articles are also included.

• CTP faculty and staff made themselves available to be interviewed for radio, newpapers, periodicals and to appear on television. They were invited to speak at special conferences and to conduct workshops and forums.

• CTP is offering Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Recovery (STAR) in partnership with Church World Service at EMU. This is an inter-religious project, open to congregational leaders from all religious traditions, mainly who are ministering in areas affected by the September 11 events. CTP is able to not only offer trauma recovery training, but also is encouraging a long-term justice and peacebuilding perspective. See the website www.emu.edu/ctp/star.

• Several staff and faculty were in conversation with people at our local mosque concerning local Muslims' safety concerns.

• On campus, CTP faculty and staff were involved in a response group that coordinated EMU's campus-wide follow-up, both with pastoral concerns for individual students experiencing stress, as well as working with student groups on educational activities and direct actions, such as a series of "teach-ins."

• Within CTP, students worked with faculty and staff on a variety of activities, including analysis of the events and potential consequences, local activities, and information sharing. International students were able to share information about alternative American responses, something that people in many other countries are not aware of. In addition, a few appropriate courses have been modified to deal directly with the aftermath of September 11.

While the specific activities of CTP may change in response to Sept. 11, we remain committed to work that will lead to long-term, stable, just and peaceful societies, nations, and the global community as a whole.