INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
(Rome, 31 October – 2 November 2007)

The convention, organized in general sessions and small work-groups, will include 2 occasions of major public impact, one of a cultural and political nature, the other with a predominantly spiritual emphasis and Gospel music.

The debate will center on the following themes:

• Commitment to justice in today’s globalized society
• Solidarity with peoples forced to immigrate from depressed countries
• The condition of immigrants in Italian prisons
• The responsibility of everyone for the construction of a multi-ethnical society that values cultural differences without degrading them
• Demilitarization of international politics
• Spirituality in the resistance against racism

PROGRAM (provisory)

31 October, Rome
Original videos of King’s speeches, readings in Italian of King’s addresses, testimonies of people involved in the human rights struggle, Gospel concert by the choir of the Fountain Baptist Church of Summit, New Jersey.

Preacher: J. Michael Sanders, Baptist Church of Summit, New Jersey

1 November
Addresses by national and international speakers: Dr. Lewis V. Baldwin, Ms. Rosalyn M. Brock, Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, Dr. Ruben Richards.

*General and small group discussions

2 November, Rome – City Hall (Sala Protomoteca Campidoglio)

• Introduction: Rev. Anna Maffei and Rev. David E. Goatley

• Panel: The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King today:
  Dr. Lewis V. Baldwin, Ms. Rosalyn M. Brock, Dr. Henry Mugabe

• Presentation of the new book on King’s legacy at the presence of some of the authors.

• Presentation of the International Dr. Martin Luther King Human Rights Award for 2008, project of partnership between the City of Rome, the City of Birmingham, Alabama, the Birmingham Institute for Civil Rights, the UCEBI and the Lott Carey Baptist Convention.