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Rick Polhamus to Open Westheimer Peace Symposium with Sept. 7 Program

Wilmington College's 33rd annual Westheimer Peace Symposium will focus on “Peace and the Nature of War,” through the topic of “Combat Trauma and Healing,” during five programs between Sept. 7 and 26.

Polhamus, a member of the Community Peacemaker Teams (formally Christian Peacemaker Teams) will speak on Thursday (Sept. 7, at 6 p.m., in the McCoy Room of Kelly Center on "Transforming Conflict in the Midst of Violence."

He has worked in the Middle East over the past 22 years. He has training and experience in violence reduction, conflict resolution and conflict transformation, negotiation, and mediation. At the Nobel Peace Prize Luncheon in Dayton, Ohio on Jan. 18, 2014, Polhamus was presented a Peace Hero Award by the Dayton International Peace Museum in honor for his lifetime of peacemaking work.

Please pre-register for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/703538802497?aff=oddtdtcreator

The year's Symposium poses the questions: How can veterans heal from violent and traumatic experiences carried out in a time of war? How do soldiers experience the transition from the military environment to civilian life after experiencing traumatic events in war? What is the responsibility of the state and society to help veterans reintegrate and resume emotionally healthy and stable lives? Knowing the costs to soldiers and veterans, what is the responsibility of the state and society to prevent violent conflict from occurring?

Read more about the 33rd Westheimer Peace Symposium at: https://www.wilmington.edu/news/33rd-westheimer-peace-symposium-to-address-combat-trauma-and-healing