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Peace summit comes on U.N. anniversary

The idea of "Building Friendships for a Culture of Peace" will be explored in a Jan. 23 Aloha Peace Forum celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United Nations.

Ved Prakash Nanda, director of the University of Denver Law School's International Legal Studies Program, will be keynote speaker at the event at the Soka Gakkai International center at 2729 Pali Highway.

Film and television actor Patrick Duffy will host the program from noon to 3 p.m. Also on the program is music by Henry Kapono and audience discussion on world peace, led by Gaye Christoffersen.

Nanda, author of several books on international law, was presented the World Jurist Association "World Legal Scholar" award in 1990 and the United Nations Association Human Rights Award in 1997. He taught at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law in 1986-87 as a distinguished visiting scholar and director of the Pacific and Asian legal studies program.

The forum will also commemorate the 30th anniversary of Soka Gakkai International, an American Buddhist organization that has nongovernmental organization status with the United Nations.

Co-sponsors include the Center for Global Nonviolence, the University of Hawaii Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and the United Nations Association, Hawaii division.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Call Carol Pelekai at 595-6324.

Bible study classes start this week

The winter quarter of the Bible Institute of Hawaii offers classes ranging from a study of Old Testament prophets to the exploration of the kingdom of God in a modern business culture.

Courses began this week and will continue to March 3. Classes are offered at several Oahu churches.

Classes include:

>> "Bringing the Kingdom of God to Business Central: Engaging the Powers in a Market Culture," by the Rev. Walt Keale, noon Wednesdays at the Richards Street YWCA, Room 205.

>> "Hope and Healing for Broken People in a Broken World: The Message of Isaiah," by the Rev. Andy Lee, 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Kalihi Union Church, 2214 N. King St.

>> "Focused Living for Leaders," by Craig Chong, 7 p.m. Mondays at Calvary Church of the Pacific, 99-400 Aiea Heights Drive.

>> "Leading Transformational Bible Studies," by Ada Lum, 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Community Church of Honolulu, 2345 Nuuanu Ave., and 7 p.m. Thursdays at Cornerstone Fellowship, 95-1080 Ukuwai St., Mililani Mauka.

>> "The New Testament: An Overview," by the Rev. Bob Neff, 7 p.m. Thursdays at Manoa Valley Church, 2728 Huapala St.

Registration is $35, with discounts available for seniors, students, military members and first-time registrants. For information, call 943-0833 or see www.biblehawaii.org.