Distinguished South African theologian and political scientist Charles Villa-Vicencio, the second speaker in the E.N. Thompson Lecture series, will address “Violence, Religion, Financial Muscle and Liberation: Can Africa Heal Itself?” during a simulcast presentation on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. Studio B of the Gray Center for Communication Arts (1100 N. Elm Ave.) The event is free and open to the public.
Villa-Vicencio, founder of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town, South Africa, has used his expertise to advise countries dealing with the challenges of rebuilding their societies after periods of internal strife. He is the author or editor of 18 books, including his most recent, “Walk with Us and Listen: Political Reconciliation in Africa.”
The E.N. Thompson lecture series, which will focus on religion, rights and politics throughout the 2012-2013 academic year, is named in honor of E.N. “Jack” Thompson, who served as president of the Cooper Foundation from 1964 to 1990 and as its chairman from 1990 until his death in 2002. Thompson established the series to promote better understanding of world events and issues for all Nebraskans.
The simulcasts, sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities Council and colleges and universities across the state, allow more Nebraskans to have the opportunity to benefit from outstanding speakers and community discussion. Details about the E.N. Thompson Forum are available at http://enthompson.unl.edu.
