SURGE Conference Focuses on Local, Global Justice Issues

The conference, spread out over three days and co-sponsored by more than 30 organizations, included a peace rally on McCorkle Place, discussion sessions and workshops designed to explore world concerns.

"The goal of the conference is to bring people together to concentrate in an intense way about many issues," said SURGE member and UNC-CH graduate student John Cox. "It's a place for activists to meet each other and create networks and also to see the connections between different issues."

The opening evening of the conference Friday featured a general welcoming dinner, as well as this year's keynote speaker, Michael Albert, a founder of Z Magazine. Albert spoke about U.S. foreign policy since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Discussion sessions about both domestic and foreign issues were held Saturday. The sessions emphasized the importance of raising awareness of global problems and preserving peace.

Sunday's events featured workshops designed to inform people of ways to act and organize on some of the issues presented the day before, culminating at the rally on McCorkle Place.

The conference was attended by students from UNC-CH and other universities, as well as non-students interested in learning about global issues.

Several attendees said they were drawn to the conference by their desire to share ideas with other activists.

"It's nice to talk to people from (UNC-CH) who seem a little bit more involved," said Charlotte Yongue, a junior social work major from N.C. State University.

Patrick Lincoln, a senior Spanish major at Virginia Tech, said he wanted to explore issues with others holding similar ideas to his own.

"I came here to enter into a dialogue with people in a similar struggle," he said. "It can sometimes be isolating on a college campus to hold certain opinions."

Other participants said they came because they were eager to listen to the ideas of nationally known individuals.

"I was interested in hearing Michael Albert speak because of his involvement with alternative media," said Brandon Jourdan, an associate of the North Carolina Independent Media Center.

Sarah Shields, a UNC-CH professor of history who spoke about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, said the best thing about the conference is that it is run and led by students.

Kate Witchger, a senior philosophy major at UNC-CH and conference coordinator, said she was excited that she had already heard good things from people who attended the conference.

"I'm really happy about all of the positive responses I've received."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.