Dinner will feature a talk by Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Webster University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host the “Global Ecology: A Creative Opportunity to Design a Sustainable Future” Conference on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The conference will be held in the Webster University Winifred Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood Ave. Cocktails and dinner will follow the conference and feature a talk by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, former Democratic presidential candidate and environmentalist.

Join environmentalist, thinker, writer and peace campaigner Satish Kumar and other world-renowned speakers as they discuss a world in crisis and offer solutions for overwhelming global problems in the areas of ecology and the economy. Conference speakers include Kumar, Webster’s 2008 E. Desmond Lee Visiting Professor in Global Awareness; Wes Jackson, president of The Land Institute; Frances Moore Lappé, author or co-author of 16 books, including “Diet for a Small Planet;” Thomas Moore, author of popular spiritual books that include “Care of the Soul;” and Madhu Suri Prakash, Penn State professor and a specialist in ecological literacy and ecofeminism.

The cost of the Global Ecology conference, including lunch, is $25 for the general public and $15 for students. The cost for the dinner is $25. All meals will feature organic, vegetarian, locally grown food. To register go to: http://www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/news/satish_kumar.htm#rsvp

Call 314-968-7135 for more information.

Satish Kumar

Each year, Webster University awards the E. Desmond Lee Visiting Professorship in Global Awareness to one outstanding professor from abroad to teach on topics of ethnicity, international economics, international relations, global diversity and related fields at the St. Louis campus for part of the year. Indian-born Satish Kumar is a strong supporter of peace and ecology. He has spent time as a Jain monk, a nuclear disarmament advocate and has traveled the world on foot. His pilgrimages have taken him from India to America without any money, through deserts, mountains, storms and snow. Experiencing adventures and tribulations, Kumar has been thrown into jail in France, faced a loaded gun in America and delivered packets of ‘peace tea’ to the leaders of the four nuclear powers. Currently residing in England, he is the editor and publisher of “Resurgence,” a magazine that publishes “articles on the cutting edge of current thinking, promoting creativity, ecology, spirituality and frugality.” Kumar is also the Director of Programme for Schumacher College, an international center for the study of ecological and spiritual values.  He has written several books including his autobiography, “No Destination” and “You Are, Therefore I Am-A Declaration of Dependence,” and “The Buddha and the Terrorist.” He also narrated and appeared in the BBC film “Earth Pilgrim.” Kumar is an expert on one’s spiritual connectivity to ecology and global citizenry and studies the roots and real solutions of global warming.

The E. Desmond Lee Visiting Professorship in Global Awareness was established in Fall 2000 by philanthropist E. Desmond Lee to help foster international understanding. This year’s Professorship is sponsored by the Webster University College of Arts and Sciences.

To arrange an interview with Satish Kumar, contact Krissi Timmerman at 314-968-7456 or timmerman93@webster.edu.

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