The National Campus Life Network was created to support life advocacy groups on campus. New NCLN director Elaine Barber promises a busy year assisting campus pro-life groups, and an exciting symposium in November.Barber, originally from Whitby, Ont., is taking a year from studies at the University of Toronto to take the unpaid position at NCLN. In September, she completed a speaking tour of B.C. universities.NCLN provides pro-life materials to existing pro-life groups on campus and allows pro-life students to network with other like-minded peers. Barber told The Interim that when students face challenges on their own campuses, they often find strength in the experience of others. She cites as an example the students at the University of British Columbia who had difficulty when they tried to bring the Genocide Awareness Project to their campus. She said pro-life clubs at other universities can learn from the UBC experience. Barber said the most important function of NCLN is the assistance it gives individuals or groups trying to set up pro-life groups on campus. Barber said NCLN provides a complete how-to kit for people establishing new pro-life groups on campus. NCLN also hosts an annual symposium. This year, the Nov. 8-10 symposium at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto will feature guest speaker Professor Peter Kreeft of Boston University, who will give three important talks: how to win the cultural wars; politics and moralit; and the role of suffering in pro-life efforts. Also speaking will be NCLN’s spiritual adviser, Fr. Tom Lynch, and a representative from the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform. The symposium is geared toward university and college students, but high school students are also welcome. |
