Events

Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Poverty Conference, Queens Campus

October 13, 2007 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Queens Campus

The Just and Moral Society: From Ideal to Reality

St. John’s University accepts the challenge of this millennium that we are “the first generation that can eradicate poverty.” We invite academics, church leaders, policy makers, service providers and students to join us at this one-day conference to explore the foundations and criteria of a “Just and Moral Society” and the best practices to alleviate poverty, an affront to human dignity and an obstruction to justice and peace.

Date
Saturday, October 13, 2007

Time
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location
Queens campus

Program Highlights

Keynote Presentation: Rev. John J. Coughlin, O.F.M., J.D., J.C.D.
Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame Law School
An examination of the philosophical, theological, ethical and legal concepts that frame the foundations as well as the need for reflection on a Just and Moral Society.

Fr. Coughlin will also suggest some basic criteria for evaluating a Just and
Moral Society within our global society.

Panel
Current efforts toward building a just society and identification of forces which advance and inhibit just structures and systems for the vulnerable.

  • Oscar de Rojas, UN Financing for Development
    to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals
  • Margaret Hanson, AIC/International Association of Charities, Ladies of Charity, USA
  • Ellen P. Finn, O.P., Associate Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Brooklyn, CCUSA Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America
  • Veronica M. White, Executive Director of New York City Center for Economic Opportunity

Workshops
Constructive, developmental responses to local and global issues - highlighting practices that relate systemic change and transformative service. (Workshops will be repeated and the registrants will select two 50-minute workshops.)

  1. Right to and Responsibility to Effect Systemic Change through Political Participation
  2. Right to and Responsibility forSustainable Development
  3. Right to and Responsibility for Health Care
  4. Right to and Responsibility for Education
  5. Right to and Responsibility for Employment
  6. Right to and Responsibility for Respect and Security for Women and Children: Addressing Trafficking

Closing Presentation
From 21st-century Slavery to Human Freedom: Call to Global Solidarity

Creating the Just and Moral society will require that each of us share the responsibility and participate actively as global citizens. Practicing the virtue of solidarity will unite hearts, minds and hands to build a world where human dignity, truth, justice and peace prevail.

Simon Aban Deng, refugee, former child slave, founder of the “Sudan Freedom  Walk” and consultant to the United Nations Human Rights Council

Liturgy
Rev. Thomas F. McKenna, C.M., Homilist

For More Information/Registration Materials Contact:
Vincentian Chair of Social Justice
Vincentian Center for Church and Society
St. John’s University
St. Vincent Hall, Room 108 A
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439

Sr. Margaret John Kelly, D.C.
Executive Director
http://www.vincenter.org/
Tel (718) 990-1612
Fax (718) 990-1901
vccs@stjohns.edu

Conference Fees
(includes lunch)
Individuals
$40 if received by October 1, 2007
$45 after October 1, 2007

Students
$20 if received by October 1, 2007 (ID Required)
$25 after October 1, 2007

Group Rate Five or More (must register as group, at the same time)
$35 if received by October 1, 2007
$40 after October 1, 2007

SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER EARLY!