A community dialogue and public forum on urban revitalization through the lenses of peace and justice will be hosted by thePeace Education Initiative of the Judith Herb College of Education at The University of Toledo in partnership with more than 30 area community, governmental, faith-based and grassroots organizations.

This event will bring together local citizens, formal and non-formal educators, representatives of community and government agencies, local and regional non-profits and community service providers, faith based groups and educational and urban policy makers to dialogue on the possibilities of pursuing urban revitalization in Toledo and the surrounding region through the lenses of social, economic and ecological justice.

Make your voice heard and be a part of the solution!

By participating you will help shape the conversation and promote positive strategies and actions on how we approach urban revitalization in Toledo and the surrounding region.   The forum will explore the following:

Social Justice: How can we build and revitalize our communities while assuring the dignity of every citizen?

Economic Justice: How can we assure economic opportunities exist for all? How do we build local, sustainable economies?

Ecological Justice: How can "greening" our communities make all our lives better?  Why is it important to act locally and think globally?

Peace Education: How can we work together in making our communities less violent?  How do we empower our neighbors to take action?

Program

The day will feature an introductory World Café dialogue, panels, concurrent workshops, and networking and community building opportunities led by representatives from the Toledo and surrounding communities as well as by international guests.

Hopes & Goals

• learn from and contribute to the discussion on urban revitalization and the achievement of social and ecological justice in Toledo, Detroit and the surrounding region
• Empower citizens as change agents, helping them to nurture safe, healthy and sustainable local communities
• contribute directly to efforts of urban revitalization through formal and non-formal educational strategies
• develop consensus and identify frameworks for theoretical understanding of issues
• identify best educational practices through which urban revitalization and justice can be pursued
• share and disseminate findings for application by others
• develop local, regional, national and international partnerships with like-minded organizations