Media Release

For Immediate Release

November 10, 2006

SMU and Halifax Welcome World Renowned Peace Leader

Bridget Brownlow (far right), Conflict Resolution Officer at Saint Mary’s attended today's ribbon cutting ceremony for the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Exhibit at St. Andrew's United Church. She is pictured here with Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. (centre) and The Honourable Mayann E. Francis (BA ‘72), O.N.S., Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Time to cut the ribbon (from left to right): Tony Meers, SGI Canada; Dr. Bob Anderson, St. Andrew’s United Church, Gandhi, King, Ikeda exhibit working group; The Honourable Mayann E. Francis (BA ‘72), O.N.S., Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.; Sue Uteck (BA ‘86), Deputy Mayor, Councilor, District 13, Northwest Arm-South End; Bridget Brownlow, Conflict Resolution Officer at Saint Mary’s; and Henry Bishop, a member of the Black Culture Centre for Nova Scotia.

Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. is a man admired by many.

The prominent follower of U.S. Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King arrived this morning and gave a number of talks to various groups throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).

Everywhere he went today, droves of people turned out to hear him speak and of course to meet him in person.

He will also be giving a talk at Saint Mary’s this evening. This event is free and open to the public. His talk begins at 7:00 PM in the Scotiabank Conference Theatre (SB 201, Sobey Building). The event at Saint Mary’s tonight is expected to draw a big crowd.

This afternoon, he attended a special ribbon cutting ceremony at St. Andrew’s United Church for the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Exhibit: A Legacy of Building Peace.

This event was supported by Saint Mary's University.

Those who participated in the ceremony included Bridget Brownlow, Conflict Resolution Officer at Saint Mary’s; The Honourable Mayann E. Francis (BA ‘72), O.N.S., Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; Sue Uteck (BA ‘86), Deputy Mayor, Councilor, District 13, Northwest Arm-South End; Dr. Bob Anderson, St. Andrew’s United Church, Gandhi, King, Ikeda exhibit working group; Henry Bishop, a member of the Black Culture Centre for Nova Scotia; and Tony Meers, SGI Canada.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Brownlow stated, “We are pleased to have this opportunity to welcome Dr. Carter to Halifax and Saint Mary’s University.”

“His visit for us is very significant given that Saint Mary’s is the only university to meet the criteria for membership with Peaceful Schools International (PSI),” she added.

The University became a member of PSI over a year ago. This past March, Brownlow and students from Saint Mary’s traveled to Northern Ireland where they conducted conflict resolution workshops for students at Catholic, Protestant and Integrated schools.

Dr. Carter is known for his philosophy of non-violence and building peace.

He is a Professor of philosophy and Dean of the Martin Lither King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Carter originally commissioned the Gandhi King Ikeda exhibit in 1999. The exhibit documents three world peace and human rights activities: Mahatma Gandhi, who principles of non-violent resistance led to India’s independence from Great Britain in 1948; U.S. Civil Rights leaders and Novel Peace Prize winner Dr. Martin Lither King Jr.; and Daisaku Ikeda, president of Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist movement devoted to creating world peace through interaction among different cultures. The exhibit will be on display in the church auditorium until November 12 at St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax.

His visit to SMU and Halifax is sponsored by Humanity at Heart, a diverse committee that fosters the legacy of Gandhi, King and Ikeda.

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

-30-

For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca