2023 CSJ Center Symposium

This session will examine the impact of free trade agreements, climate change, and support for authoritarian governments, which have repressed social movements working for change. It will include a focus on Honduras, in which a coup in 2009 led to the corruption of government institutions and militarization of society, propelling mass caravans (or: an exodus of people), and it will offer recommendations for policy change.

Kathleen Erickson, Chaplain, Immigration Family Detention Center

Maria Elena Perales, Director, Justice Center, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange (Moderator)

Jean Stokan, Coordinator for Nonviolence and Immigration, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas’ Justice Team

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 RESOURCES:

What alternative border policies might look like:

• American Immigration Lawyers Association, “ICYMI: Policy Brief: What Does a Secure Border Look Like?,” 1/17/23 https://www.aila.org/advo-media/aila-policy-briefs/policy-brief-what-does-a-secure-border-look-like.

• National Immigrant Justice Center, “Solutions For A Humane Border Policy,” 1/17/23 https://immigrantjustice.org/staff/blog/solutions-humane-border-policy.

* Southern Border Communities Coalition A New Border Vision.

What would different US foreign policies look like: Letter To President-Elect Biden on Central America Policy – Americas Program

 Additional resources:

Hope Border

Netflix film “A 3 Minute Hug”

Presentation slides - Roots of Migration PPT

One of the most remarkable transformations of the Church under ten years of Pope Francis has been in its exercise of authority, as modeled by the reformed Roman Curia and the global synod. The CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice, in collaboration with Global-Local Affairs, Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination, Political Science and International Relations, Theological Studies, and Mission and Ministry, presents a conversation with Dr. Austen Ivereigh about the reform of governance in the Church, moving from a juridical, authoritarian, and centralist model to one centered on discernment and service. The papal biographer and Fellow in Contemporary Church History at Campion Hall, Oxford, argues that in an age of national-populism (the “revenge of power”) Francis’ reforms (“the conversion of power”) represent a vital Gospel witness.

Austen Ivereigh, D.Phil, Journalist and Commentator

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Student leaders from the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Center Alliance Advisory Council introduced participants to the TRHT framework and the vision and goals of LMU's TRHT Center Alliance. These student leaders were guides through an experiential exercise called a story circle, where participants had a chance to deepen their connections with other participants through a lightly structured and supportive process. Following the story circle experience, participants were invited into dialogue regarding pressing issues they perceive in our campus culture and climate and worked together to envision how each of us can help nurture a deep sense of belonging among all community members.

Elijah Blanton, Student Leader, Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center Alliance, LMU

Jesus (Paco) Estrada, Student Leader, Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center Alliance, LMU

Ariane White, Director, Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center Alliance, LMU

RECORDING

We have been engaging in many discussions recently about justice and justice systems in our LMU community and our society as a whole. Many of us have heard the term restorative justice but are not necessarily sure what it means or what it applies to. Sexual harm remains prevalent on college campuses and reporting has increased since the viral takeoff of the #MeToo movement in 2017. As the movement and conversations about sexual harm have progressed, interest in restorative justice approaches has grown. This session will engage Dr. Alissa Ackerman, an Associate Professor in the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice at California State University, Fullerton in a dialogue about restorative justice and what it offers for individuals and the community. Dr. Ackerman has dedicated her career to studying sex crimes policy and practice, the etiology of sexual offending, the effects of sexual victimization, and, most recently, restorative justice options for those impacted by sexual harm.

Alissa Ackerman, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice at California State University, Fullerton

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As part of the 2023 CSJ Center Symposium and co-sponsored by the Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainability, Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries, presents on the topic of his book "The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life." His book is a reflection on leadership and organizational life designed to impact lives as he has learned “The Homeboy Way.”

Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries and Author of "The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life"

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Leaving the Factory is loosely based on the Triangle Factory Fire - of 1911 - that was the impetus for creating unions - all across the country. All the people who died (mainly women) were immigrants, working for low wages. 

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, featuring the following speakers:

Catharine Dada, Producer of Leaving the Factory and Professor of Theatre at LMU (Moderator)

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The CSJ Center for Reconciliation & Justice invites you to this Justice and Spirituality on Screen discussion and screening of Personhood, a 2019 documentary film directed by Jo Ardinger.

Program and Panel
The CSJ Center's Justice and Spirituality on Screen series engages questions of faith and culture through the lens of modern cinema.  It is cosponsored by the LMU Center for Religion and Spirituality and William H. Hannon Library. The 2022-2023 series theme echoes that of the CSJ Center's annual symposium, Faces of Justice: Deepening Encounters, Confronting the Struggles.

• Roberto Dell'Oro, Ph.D., Austin & Ann O'Malley Chair in Bioethics at LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts and an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy for Life
• Christopher Kaczor, Ph.D., professor and chair of Philosophy at LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts and a corresponding member of the Pontifical Academy for Life
• TBA
• Michael McNaught (moderator), Assistant Director of the LMU Center for Religion and Spirituality

To Attend (February 1)
This event is free and open to the public. Public guests are required to register in advance (click Register button). Preregistered guests will then check-in at the LMU Playa Vista Campus gallery. LMU students, faculty and staff will need a One Card to access the gallery. The film discussion and screening will begin at 7 p.m. 

For more information, contact Stefani Mejia at the CSJ Center at stefani.mejia@lmu.edu.

Getting to the campus. The Playa Vista Campus is located on the second floor and is accessible via Elevator Lobby 1 on the east side of the building, above Sweat Yoga. The pedestrian entrance is near the corner of S. Lake Center Drive and W. Waterfront Drive. Click here for campus directions and map. 

Parking. Paid parking is available at both campuses, subject to posted rates (we do not validate parking). Free street parking may be available around the Playa Vista Campus, but can be limited at peak times. A free shuttle service from the Westchester (Main) Campus is open to the public and is a convenient option for people commuting between campuses. Shuttle schedule is posted online.

Watch the Panel Online (February 3)
The panel discussion will stream on the Center's YouTube and Facebook pages on Friday afternoon, February 3, at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Participants are invited to post questions in the comments sections.

Personhood is available on streaming services with subscription.

Q&A (February 8)
To accommodate both in-person and online participants, the panel Q&A will stream on the Center's YouTube and Facebook page on Wednesday, February 8, at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Panelists will answer questions submitted at the screening and online.

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As part of the 2023 CSJ Center Symposium, this panel reviewed the past 10 years of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act in the United States. Speakers spoke on the current and future legal challenges, shared personal experiences as DACA recipients, and we learned more about the ongoing political battle to protect the future of our vulnerable, yet resilient, Brothers and Sisters.

Yurie Blons, JD Candidate and Clinic Student at Immigration Justice Clinic, Loyola Law School

Daisy Chávez-Mendez, Community Strategist, Immigration Justice Clinic, Loyola Law School (Moderator)

Marissa Montes, Director, Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic

Alma de Jesus Ramirez, Community Health Worker, Health Care Center

Joseph Villela, Director of Government Relations, The California Wellness Foundation

RECORDING

RESOURCES

1. Information for DACA renewals Daisy Chávez-Mendez Dchavezm@lls.edu / (213) 736-1408
2. College Scholarships: https://www.boundless.com/blog/college-scholarships-daca-students/ 
3. Advance Parole: https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/the-advance-parole-travel-document-explained/ 
4. Health Access Info: https://www.nccp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DACA-Health-Insurance_7.6.21.pdf 
5. Contact your local elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/ 
6. National Campaign - https://unitedwedream.org/

The CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice in collaboration with Global-Local Affairs presents a session featuring the evolution of student participation in international education at LMU, including Alternative Breaks and global immersions. It will highlight how several faculty and staff have intentionally engaged in efforts to promote student diversity in experiences abroad, and encourage students to explore other cultures, while also reflecting back on their own communities through a new lens. The main portion of the session features alumni who participated in these programs who offer reflections and lessons learned for their formation as people with and for others.

Isaac Cardenas '20 MA '25, Center for the Study of Los Angeles Student Participant

Megan Castillo '19, Global Immersions Student Participant 

Deanna Cooke, Director Engaged Learning and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology, Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, LMU

Jorge Cortes, Research Coordinator, Center for the Study of Los Angeles, LMU

Patrick Furlong, Director, Pam Rector Center for Service and Action, LMU

Carlos Rodriguez '11, Alternative Break Student Participant 

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How do organizations such as libraries (academic and public), nonprofits like the Alexandria House, and LMU’s service organizations contribute to a person’s stability in their lives and therefore provide them with space to embark on their educational and career pathways?

Libraries provide physical safe spaces and access to technology and resources for the homeless/houseless whether they are from the public or among the student body. The Alexandria House provides stable housing for women and children and helps them get permanent housing as well as provide educational and enrichment opportunities. LMU’s service organizations focuses on the academic success of students, especially those who were/are in foster care or homeless/houseless. In so doing, they ensure students experiencing instability in their lives such as homelessness receive the support they need so they can participate and succeed in their own educational and career pathways. How can these organizations improve upon their services with this sector of the community?

Jamal Epperson, Assistant Director for DEI Initiatives, Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (Moderator) - https://resources.lmu.edu/dei/

Yadira Enciso, Assistant Director for Student Engagement, Pam Rector Center for Service and Action - https://studentaffairs.lmu.edu/activities/centerforserviceandaction/

John Frank, Senior Librarian, Venice-Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch, Los Angeles Public Library - https://www.lapl.org/branches/venice

Nicole Murph, Reference & Instruction Librarian, William H. Hannon Library - https://library.lmu.edu/

Ashly Nufio, Former Resident, Alexandria House - https://www.alexandriahouse.org/

Sr. Judy Vaughan, Founder and Director, Alexandria House - https://www.alexandriahouse.org/

RECORDING