“The Politics of Reconciliation”

A national symposium and dialogue among those working to bridge societal divides.

May 30-June 1, 2012  

Hyatt Regency, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Click here for a list of presenters and speakers

Click here to see the Call for Papers

Reconciliation in America Symposium

You are cordially invited to attend the third annual Reconciliation in America Symposium sponsored by the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. This national Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa, OK, on May 30 – June 1, 2012.

“The Politics of Reconciliation,” occurring during the 2012 election year, will explore current academic research and community projects that address the general theme of reconciliation in America, focusing on the political dynamics of reconciliation. Defined broadly as the complex of relations between and among people, “politics” raises such questions as:

• How is “reconciliation” a political construct?
• What aspects of politics are critical to reconciliation efforts?
• What political skills are necessary to successful and sustainable reconciliation efforts?
• What role does partisan politics play in the ability of communities to reconcile?

The keynote address will be delivered by Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi and an internationally known scholar and reconciliation expert. The Town Hall will feature a national panel, “Cityscape – Former Mayors Reflect on Reconciliation Efforts.” Both events are free and open to the public on Thursday, May 31.

Featured session speakers include these nationally recognized experts on reconciliation:

• Governor William Winter, former Governor of Mississippi;
• Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, the President of Spelman College;
• Dr. George Henderson, creator of the Human Relations Program at the University of Oklahoma;
• Dr. Donald W. Shriver, Jr., an ethicist and President Emeritus of Union Seminary in New York City; and
• Reverend Doug Tanner, Senior Advisor of The Faith & Politics Institute in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the Symposium will offer a series of concurrent workshops presented by scholars and practitioners of reconciliation from throughout the country. The concluding luncheon presents the members of the Symposium’s National Advisory Panel reflecting on the new insights, provocative thoughts, and remaining challenges elicited during the symposium.

Click here for registration information.

A full programmatic  agenda will be available in early February.

We also welcome your interest in sponsoring the symposium.  Click here to download the sponsorship form. 

For more information, contact Jean Neal at the Center’s office, 918-295-5009, or jneal@jhfcenter.org.

This program is funded in part by the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the We the People initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the symposium do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH.