Everyone allows war to happen when they don't speak out, panelists said Wednesday in a program titled "Hear Our Voices: Women Speak for Peace One Day."
The discussion was part of "Peace One Day," which has been officially observed on Sept. 21 since 2001.
On that day, the United Nations adopted a resolution declaring Sept. 21 a day of global cease fire.
The organization hopes that countries at conflict will cease fire so supplies such as food and medicine can be moved into areas which are normally too dangerous to reach, Jeremy Gilley, who first envisioned the day, said.
"If you build a house you start with one brick," Gilley said. "If we want to build peace we must start with one day."
The panel, which comprised five women, discussed the effects of war.
"Economics is important in regards to war," panelist Karen Vashti Lang said. "It can destroy families, twist minds and go far beyond hunger. Poverty can be used as violence."
Amy Marie Babcock, who spoke on spiritualism, said people should stay connected to God and not let the power that comes with being white or American determine how they treat people.
People often forget the suffering of others because it does not directly affect them, Babcock said.
It is easy to become desensitized today, Julie Rosser, assistant director of the Women's Studies program said.
Everyone watches movies such as "Gangs of New York," which are filled with nothing but violence, and they don't give it a second thought, Rosser said.
"We need to resensitize ourselves to the effects of war and let our voices be heard," Rosser said.
Education is needed to amplify the voices, but in Afghanistan, 80 percent of schools have been destroyed, and most of the work force is illiterate, Patricia Garofolo said. Garofolo is co-founder of Afghan Women's And Kids' Education and Necessities Inc.
AWAKEN, a nonprofit organization, is working to rebuild a community devastated by two decades of war. They are trying to build a school, a women's center and a medical center, Garofolo said.
"Now is the time to rebuild," Bibi Bahrami, co-founder of AWAKEN, said. "Together we can make a difference in the lives of many people, one village at a time."
Students can help the program by holding walks, picnics and festivals to raise awareness, Marcy Meyer said.
Also, donations are always accepted, she said.
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