Borah Symposium offers long legacy of global community, solutions

The Fifth International Democratic Peace Conference in Rheims, France, attracted 4,000 pacifists on August 16, 1926, who declared August as International Peace Month, emphasizing their dedication to peace studies. This gathering set the stage for the Kellogg-Briand Pact, signed in 1928, which urged nations to resolve disputes through negotiation rather than war. In the same spirit, the University of Idaho established the William Edgar Borah Outlawry of War Foundation in 1929, supported by Salmon Oliver Levinson, a notable advocate for peace. Senator Borah, who had voted for U. S.

involvement in World War I, later championed the idea of outlawing war, believing that international law should not sanction it. The foundation has hosted annual conferences since 1948, focusing on the causes of war and the conditions for peace. This year's Borah Symposium, themed "Great Power Competition," will take place from September 29 to October 1, drawing international leaders and scholars. The foundation's efforts reflect a long-standing commitment to fostering dialogue on global peace. Through these conferences, UI aims to address contemporary challenges and propose actionable solutions for a more peaceful world.