Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi to keynote Compassionate Niagara Conference

On the morning of Wednesday, March 13, a descendant of Mahatma Gandhi will provide the keynote address for an annual conference that is open to the public. Arun Gandhi, “The Peace Farmer” and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will speak at the Compassionate Niagara Conference, highlighting an event meant to evoke discussion and participation.

Formerly known as the Niagara County Poverty Conference, the Compassionate Niagara Conference will be held at Niagara University’s Russell J. Salvatore Dining Commons. It is presented annually by the Niagara County Coalition for Services to the Homeless, along with Buffalo/Niagara Falls and Erie/Niagara Counties Continuum of Care, and NU. Tickets are $20. Registration is open now at www.niagara.edu/compassion.

“The conference planning committee has designed a true conference,” said Mitchell Alegre, a member of the committee and an adjunct professor of management and leadership at Niagara University. “Those who come to the gathering will confer together as community citizens. It is important that members representing all sectors of our communities participate in the discussions.”

The event, now in its seventh year, has rebranded following last year’s conference, titled “Compassionate Communities: Where Do I Fit In?” The success of last year’s event, focused on how to build a more compassionate Niagara County, has led to many larger discussions over the past 12 months. This year’s conference will feature opportunities for discussion and ideas for carrying these ideas forward following the address from Gandhi.

Sponsors for the event include Calspan, Grigg Lewis Foundation, Confer Plastics, Covanta, Fidelis Care, Niagara Falls City School District, Kane Construction, East Hill Foundation, Community Missions and Phi Delta Kappa. For more information, including registration, visit www.niagara.edu/compassion.