The Day Without Violence has been held at UMass Lowell for more than 25 years.  Since 2008, the keynote speaker has been that year’s Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies.  The Scholars we have welcomed have included two Nobel Peace Prize winners, a Tang Prize winner, and a winner of the Order of Companions of O R  Tambo.

The 2022 Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies – Soe Myint

Soe Myint

The Day Without Violence Lecture with Soe Myint

"Reflections on the Struggle for Media Freedom and Democracy in Military-Ruled Myanmar"
Wednesday, April 6, 9-11 a.m.
Moloney Hall, University Crossing
Due to safety concerns, Soe Myint will be broadcasting from an undisclosed location. You can join us in person to watch the lecture or register for the Zoom webinar.

The Greater Lowell Interfaith Leadership Alliance Conversation with Soe Myint

"Personal Inspiration in the Quest for (Media) Freedom"
Thursday, April 7, 8-9:15 a.m.
Register for the Zoom webinar.
Both events are free and open to the public.

2022 UMass Lowell Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies and Day Without Violence Keynote Speaker: Soe Myint

Soe Myint
Soe Myint is a journalist and activist, as well as the founder and chief editor of Mizzima News, named the 2007 “Free Media Pioneer” by the International Press Institute. He was born and raised in Myanmar (formerly Burma), a country with a long history of military rule and civil war. 
In recent years, Myanmar had made progress toward democratization, but on Feb. 1, 2021, the country’s military seized power in a coup. Myint and his colleagues are currently working from different locations inside and outside the country as independent media in Myanmar, despite having been charged with incitement by the junta for continued reporting, publishing and broadcasting of Mizzima.
In 2006, the military government in Myanmar had cracked down on anyone who gave information to foreign news outlets and began to identify and arrest foreign media “informants.” Against this backdrop, Mizzima News has provided accurate and timely news and information for both Myanmarese and English readers and viewers, including via a daily email service; mizzima.com and mizzima.tv; a monthly journal, often the only source of print news for exiled Myanmarese, particularly those living on the western border with Thailand; videos and podcasts; and alerts on press freedom violations.
Myint returned to Myanmar after 24 years in exile, after the military-backed government implemented a series of political reforms, and in January 2012, Mizzima became the first exiled news organization to return to the country. Over the course of nearly a decade, Mizzima became one of the leading independent media companies in Myanmar. 
In 2021, Myint once again returned to exiled life when the military regime seized power and forcibly shut down Mizzima’s free-to-air TV channel. However, Mizzima continues to broadcast and publish independent news and information through two satellite Mizzima TV channels, FM radio, Mizzima websites, Mizzima Facebook, Mizzima YouTube and Mizzima app – reaching more than 30 million readers and viewers worldwide.

Sponsored by: the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute; Greater Lowell Interfaith Leadership Alliance; the Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies Advisory Board; the Peace and Conflict Studies Program; Political Science Program; UMass Lowell Office of the Provost; Protestant Campus Ministry; and the African Community Center of Lowell.

History of Day Without Violence

In 1996, the Day Without Violence (DWV) was launched by what was then the Peace Studies Association. At one time, the DWV was held annually at more than 100 universities and colleges throughout the United States. The DWV was introduced to UMass through the work of the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute (PACSI).  The Day Without Violence is held in early April to commemorate the April 4th anniversary of the death of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Rev. Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had gone to support the striking sanitation workers.  

For the Day Without Violence on campus, we have, through the years, had such activities as organized lectures, group discussions, interactive skits, a multi-faith celebration, and training workshops (such as:  Alternatives to Violence Project; cross-cultural exercises; Help Increase the Peace Project; and study circles).  In collaboration with the city of Lowell and Middlesex Community College, we have hosted teen dances at neutral sites.  

Day Without Violence topics have included: family violence; violence in humor; race, social class, and gang violence; mediation; public policy and prisons; GLBTQ and Allies; death penalty; hate crimes; white privilege; gendered violence; environmental injustice; the challenge of landmines; war and terrorism; human rights; and racial and ethnic stereotyping.

Since 2008, the Day Without Violence keynote speakers have been that year’s Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies.  Students area high schools have participated in these Day Without Violence programs.