“Although right now we’re facing a very precarious time in the Middle East with the death of Yasser Arafat, the Geneva Initiative is at the forefront of a resolution,” says Ali Manavipour, event co-organizer and member of campus peace group Shalom-Salam.

On Tuesday, January 25, the group will host Dr. Nazmi Al-Jubeh (Birzeit University, Director of Riwaq, Palestinian Centre for Architectural Conservation) and Dr. Menachem Klein (Bar-Ilan University, Senior Fellow, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, and Board Member of B’etselem), who will speak about their negotiation of the Accord.

“When we heard that members of the steering committee were touring U.S. universities, we appealed for them to also come to York,” says Manavipour. “The Geneva initiative is so important in terms of hopes for peace, and the opportunity for students to engage with these experts is absolutely unprecedented.”

Shalom-Salam was founded in 2003 by students of York University political science professor Saeed Rahnema, in order to promote peace and understanding about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The first Canadian student organization of its kind, it brings together students who put aside political differences in order to work together for the sake of peace.

Following the lecture, a reception with food and Middle Eastern music will also be held.

WHEN:                         Tuesday, January 25, 2005

6:30 p.m. (followed by reception)

WHERE:                       152 Founders Hall

                                    York University

4700 Keele Street, Toronto

ORGANIZER:                Shalom-Salam@York

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city.  The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries.  This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.

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For further information, please contact:

Melissa Hughes, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 x22097/ mehughes@yorku.ca

Ali Manavipour, Shalom-Salam@York, 416-988-4746 / akm@yorku.ca