In a world highlighted by tragedy, war and inhumanity, a small team of visionaries from across the world wanted to find a way to change that and work toward world peace by way of the Abraham Accords. Former Senior Director of the National Security Council Robert Greenway architected the accords in 2020 under United States President Donald Trump’s administration.
Liberty University’s School of Government will be hosting Greenway and a panel of world leaders March 31 in the Montview Ballroom B from 1:30 to 3 p.m. This will give an opportunity for students of all majors to step out of the classroom and learn firsthand how international peacemaking relations work.
School of Government Dean Robert Hurt feels it is invaluable for students to experience and fulfills Liberty’s mission for training them to be champions for Christ by broadening their worldview.
“One of the things that I think that we’re successful in doing is bringing guests to come to share with our students on a regular basis,” Hurt said. “I think it enriches their experience here and it makes them better prepared to be champions for Christ when they graduate.”
According to the U.S. Department of State’s website, the accords were designed by Greenway in hopes of making peace in the Middle East and other regions.
“We, the undersigned, recognize the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom,” according to the website.
The accords were enacted originally for Israel and paved the way for peace between Israel, United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Bahrain, however the plans for the accords can go well beyond Israel. Greenway has hopes to create peace with several other countries in the future according to Liberty’s Dean of Business Dave Brat.
Unlike many universities, Liberty is not officially a research university, but what Liberty does to make itself unique is bringing in people to speak to the student body according to Brat. They do this in an effort to widen the student body’s worldview and emphasize application to their education.
“It is really helpful to jump out of the classroom and engage with people who have experience in the fields you (the students) are interested in … I love being a part of it,” Hurt said. “It gives me an opportunity to see our students shine. It always gives me a tremendous amount of pride to have guest come to Liberty to meet our students (and) to engage with them.”
They are currently finalizing who will make up the rest of the panel, but the organizers will construct a team of leaders from all over the world.
Gora is the news editor. Follow him on Twitter