South African Justice Albie Sachs and Vanessa September discuss the history and transformation of South Africa and its relevance to issues in the US.

Monday, January 23, 2006
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
SGI World Culture Center
525 Wilshire Blvd.
NW corner at 6th St.
Santa Monica, CA

Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation present Community Conversations: Exploring Issues of Civic Responsibility

About Justice Albie Sachs and Vanessa September:

Justice Sachs is a member of the South African Constitutional Court, appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994.  His life partner, Vanessa September, is an architect working on urban rebuilding. A civil rights lawyer and activist struggling against apartheid since the 1960s, Justice Sachs was detained without trial twice, lived in exile from 1966-1990, and in 1988 was almost killed in a car-bombing planted by agents of South Africa's security forces.  He lost sight in one eye and most of one arm. Justice Sachs is world-recognized for his role in the creation of South Africa's new constitution, and is the author of several books on human rights.  In the new book, The Free Diary of Albie Sachs, Justice Sachs and Ms. September describe the process of healing and rebuilding, including the symbolic transformation of Johannesburg's notorious Old Fort Prison into Constitution Hill. 

Please join the Facing History and Allstate Foundation members for a discussion with Justice Sachs and Ms. September about the history and transformation of South Africa and its relevance to issues in the U.S. Albie Sachs and Vanessa September will speak in six Facing History regions as part of a national series of community-wide dialogues presented by Facing History and The Allstate Foundation. 

For over ten years, Facing History has worked with teachers, scholars, and non-governmental organizations in South Africa.  In partnership with the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Western Cape Department of Education, Facing History has created a project called Facing the Past, a 9th grade curriculum focusing on the Holocaust and apartheid, which is taught in 25 schools in the Cape Town province.

RSVP online for the Santa Monica event at:  www.facinghistory.org/allstate

RSVP online at: www.facinghistory.org/allstate

Cost : Free and open to the public; free parking is available at 1212 7th St.

www.facinghistory.org

Sponsor(s): Facing History and Ourselves & The Allstate Foundation