AU Peace Educator, Barbara Wien,
Speaks at First Annual
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Lecture
Hosted by Peace Certified IKF 

 

(L-R): IKF Chaplain Richard Thayer, AU Professor & event speaker Dr. Barbara Wien, Mattie’s Foundation Executive Director Dr. Jeni Stepanek, IKF Resident Bob Balkam, and Rockville Mayor Bridget Newton gather for the inaugural Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Lecture hosted by Ingleside at King Farm — a Peace Certified retirement community in Maryland.

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IKF’s Peace Journey (so far…)

IKF Chaplain Richard Thayer and IKF resident Nancy Kaplan prepare for the 1st Annual Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Lecture, setting up a display with one of the Rockville retirement community’s “peace quilts” and other peace crafts and activities created by the residents.

During the summer of 2013, residents, staff and community members gathered at Ingleside at King Farm  for a peace picnic.

During the celebration, ideas were gathered and shared for a peace project that would move this retirement community in Rockville, Maryland towards a new goal — “Peace Certification” by the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation.
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During fall, 2013, residents took a “Peace Walk” to the nearby Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park to further explore peace — for one’s self and for one’s world.

And across the next year, IKF residents gathered again — to listen to Mattie’s mom, Jeni Stepanek, share information and inspiration from Mattie’s peace messages and about his namesake Foundation’s Pathways to Peace Program — and to create “Peace Quilts” for their Peace Certification project.
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But this was only the beginning of IKF’s commitment to moving from “attitude to action” with peace.

The peace quilt squares that make up six large wall hangings now are displayed in various areas of the IKF community, and they also travel to other communities where peace is being sought and planned.

In addition to the picnic, walk, quilt, and other peace gatherings, IKF residents decided to launch an annual event that would continue moving peace “forthward — with choice” as Mattie would say.

Barbara Wien, professor at American University’s School of International Service and global peace educator and activist, shares information and inspiration in support of Mattie’s “peace is possible” statement during the 1st Annual Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Lecture hosted by Ingleside at King Farm, a Peace Certified retirement community in Rockville, Maryland.

On October 2, 2016, IKF residents and members of the Rockville community (including the mayor and Mattie’s moms), gathered again in this Peace Certified Community for the inaugural Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Lecture.

The event speaker was Barbara Wien, a professor at American University in Washington, DC, and a well-respected global peace educator and activist.

During her presentation, Wien addressed (and agreed with) Mattie’s claim that “peace is possible” — sharing stories of peace journeys, and emphasizing the importance of infusing peace education programs in schools, of bringing peace information into mainstream media and news, and of creating more and more peace communities — parks and other planned areas that serve as buffers for bordering communities in potential or real conflict. Such peace places bring people together in shared responsibility, and enhances collaboration, and makes peace possible..

More information:
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Photo Album from the Inaugural IKF
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Lecture

PHOTOS
Rows 1-4 by Jeni Stepanek
Rows 5-6 by IKF’s Kate Kavitski