Community Panel to Discuss Ethnic and Racial Conflicts, Resolutions
Buffalo State’s Community Academic Center (CAC) will host a panel discussion, "Conflict Resolutions Around the World—Global to Local," Wednesday, March 15, 4:30–6:00 p.m. in the Ethel Lockman Newman Lecture Hall (Bulger Communication Center North).
The panel will consist of local activists and educators and will be moderated by Sam Magavern, co-director of the Partnership for the Public Good. The forum, which is open to the campus community, provides an opportunity to discuss interracial and interethnic strife and possible solutions.
“Especially at this time, there are conflicts locally and globally related to culture and identity that need to be discussed,” said Win Min Thant, event coordinator for the CAC. “We are bringing in experts from all over the world to help faculty and students understand how they may deal with these conflicts in their daily lives and how they can work within their communities to reach resolutions.”
Panelists
Bhante Chipamong Chowdhury is a Theravada Buddhist monk, contemplative teacher, and researcher of Buddhist humanities. Originally from Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, Chowdhury is the spiritual adviser and Dharma teacher to the Buffalo Mindfulness Community. He holds degrees in Buddhist/Religious Studies and South Asian studies from University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka; Naropa University; and the University of Toronto.
Gamileh Jamil is a second-generation Yemeni-American who was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing and master's degree in health administration from Roberts Wesleyan College. After spending much of her career as a registered nurse, Jamil continues to help others as the executive director of ACCESS of Western New York, a non-profit agency in Lackawanna, NY. Jamil serves on the board of the Partnership for Public Good and the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and is mother to three children.
Kyi Tha Tun was a student at Yangon Institute of Technology in Myanmar (Burma) in the mid-to-late 1990s. After organizing a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of political prisoners and acknowledgment of the 1990 election results, he was arrested and sentenced to 24 years in prison. After serving 15 years, Tun immigrated to the United States and is currently pursuing a master's degree in international political economy at the University of Pittsburgh as a Fulbright Scholar.
Leonce Byimana is program director for the Western New York Center for Survivors of Torture at Jewish Family Services of Buffalo and Eric County. A health professional and a human-rights activist with a background in clinical psychology, public health, and conflict resolution, he has worked with the Ministry of Health in Rwanda, taking care of genocide survivors and children conceived by rape.
About the Community Academic Center
Located in the heart of Buffalo’s West Side, the CAC develops programs through partnerships with Western New York community organizations and coordinators. The CAC offers social and educational programs that foster and enhance lifelong learning.