Christine Ahn, founder and Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ

International peace activist who crossed Korean De-Militarized Zone on foot to speak in boulder

“…Walking for peace, to reunite families, and end the state of war in Korea.”

Christine Ahn, founder and Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ, will speak at CU-Boulder about her dedication to creating reconciliation between North and South Korea. She will speak on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 6 pm in Humanities 135 on the CU campus, in an event sponsored by the INVST Community Leadership Program. On May 24, 2015, thirty international women peacemakers from around the world walked with Korean women, North and South, to call for an end to the Korean War. They held international peace symposiums in Pyongyang and Seoul where they listened to Korean women and shared their experiences and ideas of mobilizing women to bring an end to violent conflict. They successfully crossed the 2-mile wide De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) that separates millions of Korean families, as a symbolic act of peace (www.womencrossdmz.org/).

Christine Ahn is the founder and Executive Director of a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War, reunite families, and ensure women’s leadership in peace building. The women who joined Christine in crossing the DMZ are global activists, including Gloria Steinem, an American feminist leader, and Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate from Liberia. May 24 was the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament.

Christine Ahn has a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is also a graduate from CU’s two-year INVST Community Leadership Program (http://communitystudies.colorado.edu/).

The INVST Community Leadership Program is for young people who are passionate about social and environmental justice. INVST combines theory, skills and community-based action in a unique, small-group setting. INVST students travel in the summers and learn first-hand about social justice, sustainability, climate change, immigration, globalization and economic justice. They find a sense of community in small classes and make lasting friendships with others who are committed to making a positive difference in the world. While students are in INVST, they learn practical leadership skills through internships with local non-profits. Many students, like Christine Ahn, go on to continue working with grassroots organizations and social movements, dedicated to creating a sustainable and just world.

Christine Ahn is also available to speak to classes at CU, Naropa and other local schools, on Tues and Wed, Oct 13-14.

If you would like more information about Christine Ahn’s visit, please contact Sabrina Sideris at 303-472-6616 or email Sabrina.sideris@colorado.edu.