Nazareth hosts its first Centennial Summit — Burmese Changemakers Living in Exile
A history-shaping event regarding human rights in Burma, also known as Myanmar, will take place at Nazareth University, as Nazareth's Konar Center for Tolerance & Jewish Studies, partnering with the Congress of Nations and States (CNS), hosts the second international Burma summit — Burmese Changemakers Living in Exile: Frontline Reports on Indigenous Land Rights, Religious Freedom & Gendered Violence on Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Nazareth's Shults Center Forum. Diverse Burmese speakers of different faiths, genders, and ethnicities collaborating together is unprecedented and marks this summit as a rare event. All but one speaker live in exile due to the decades of genocides in Burma. The exception is Sammy Samuels, the leader of an extremely small Jewish community, who remains in the country and works as the guardian of the only existing synagogue in Burma. Samuels' presentation is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to hear from one of Burma's e last remaining Jews and learn about his perceptions on the atrocities of diverse ethnic groups. The program will also be live-streamed to audiences in Southeast Asia, Britain, Australia, and other regions.
The Burmese Changemakers Living in Exile Summit marks the first in a series of Centennial Summits that will be conducted during Nazareth University's two-year Centennial Celebration that will bring experts from Nazareth, and the nation, to campus to collaborate on important topics. This Summit is free and open to all, but registration is required for entrance. For more information, contact Beth LIlach, director of Nazareth's Konar Center at blilach1@naz.edu or 585-389-2398.
The first Burma Summit — held in Belfast, Ireland in 2022 — focused on economic, justice, and security issues. The current Burma Summit themes, each with their own panel session, include: land rights, religious freedom, Burmese Jewry, gendered violence, and youth leadership.
Nazareth University's Konar Center advances cultural, religious, and ethnic understanding through partnerships, educational initiatives, and civic engagement. Building upon the Jewish principles of rachamim (compassion) and tikkun olam (healing the world), the second international Burma Summit will enlighten and provide attendees with resources to support survivors of mass atrocities. CNS was formed in response to the growing necessity for peace, justice, and a more inclusionary and focused approach to global dialogue; CNS fosters, supports, and encourages relationships between peoples, nations, and states premised on equality.
About Nazareth University's Centennial Celebration: A Century of Uniting Education and Action
During the year leading up to and following the 100th anniversary of Nazareth's founding on September 24, 1924, Nazareth is marking its Centennial Celebration under the theme of A Century of Uniting Education and Action.
Nazareth's Centennial Celebration is a time to celebrate and remember what Nazareth University has been, what it is now, and what it will continue to be as a University place of learning, born in a time of social revolution and action inside and outside of the classroom, with a commitment to continuing Nazareth's tradition of transformative education through action for social justice, preparing and inspiring students who will be courageous changemakers in their life's work.
About The Congress of Nations and States
The Congress of Nations and States (CNS) partners with peoples, nations, and states around the world to deliver unique contributions and solutions to foster relationships which are rooted in equality. It was formed in response to the growing necessity for peace, justice, and a more inclusionary and focused approach to global dialogue.
For More Information
Julie Long | Senior News & PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
Dr. Hla Myint is one of the speakers at Nazareth's Burma Summit. He is chair of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation Foreign Relations Committee, who is also President of the Rohingya Intellectual Community Australia. Pictured with Rohingya children in a refugee camp in Bangladesh.