November 10, 2012 | 1:14 pm

Non-Violent Peacemaking: Removing the Blindfold

Posted by Lia Mandelbaum

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Arun Gandhi and I. Photo: Laurel Johnson Photography

On November 8, I represented Cal State LA as a panelist for the annual Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) Youth Peace Conference.  SEA was founded in the 1970’s by a handful of young mothers who sought to protect their youngsters from gang violence, and has become a full service professional agency that serves over 12,000 youth and families annually.  SEA Charter School is a WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accredited community made up of 17 education centers throughout Los Angeles County, and works with youth who are struggling academically and at high risk for delinquency.

The topic of the panel was to touch upon the morals and values of a non-violent peacemaker.  The panelists were three SEA students and two Cal State LA students.   
The main guest speaker of the conference was Arun Gandhi.  Born in 1934 in Durban, South Africa, Arun is the fifth grandson of India’s legendary leader, Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi.  Mr. Gandhi covered topics such as: non-violent peacemaking, lessons he learned from his grandfather, and the inner development and characteristics of a peacemaker.

My preparation process and the conference itself, was incredibly powerful for me and has helped me to be a better person.  The SEA community is wonderful, and should definitely be sought out to understand and connect with.

Please watch the video below of Arun Gandhi and I speaking on non-violent peacemaking.