JERSEY CITY (September 30, 2005) — Author, parliamentarian and diplomat Douglas Roche will discuss “The Human Right to Peace” at Saint Peter’s College on Wednesday, October 5 at 9:00 am in the Pope Lecture Hall as part of the Social Justice Program Lecture Series. “Mr. Roche’s expertise in nuclear disarmament and the pursuit of peace positions him well in discussing how nations and people can move toward the peaceful resolution of conflicts worldwide,” said Dr. Anna Brown, a political science professor and organizer of the series.
Mr. Roche has served his native Canada and the world community in several roles throughout his 34-year public career. He was Canada’s Ambassador for Disarmament from 1984-1989 and was elected Chairman of the United Nations Disarmament Committee in 1988. He served four terms in the Canadian Parliament and then a six-year term in the Senate of Canada. The diplomat has published 18 books, including his latest called Beyond Hiroshima. He is Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative, an international network specializing in nuclear disarmament issues. Mr. Roche has received many awards and honors for his efforts and writings to promote peace.
In 1995, Pope John Paul II presented him with the Papal Medal for his work as Special Advisor on disarmament and security issues. In 1993, the Canadian Islamic Congress honored him with its Peace Award. Saint Peter’s College awarded him an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters in 1990. The lecture is free and open to the general public. A question and answer session will follow Mr. Roche’s general remarks.
Saint Peter’s College is the Jesuit College of New Jersey. Founded in 1872, Saint Peter’s has an enrollment of approximately 3,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The main campus is located in Jersey City . The College has a branch campus for adults in Englewood Cliffs, NJ and also offers courses at various corporate sites at the Jersey City waterfront and in South Amboy, NJ.