September 25, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- PEACEMAKERS, an interfaith religion special about people who work to stop wars, will be broadcast Sunday, Oct. 12 (8:00-8:30 AM, ET; 5:00-5:30 AM, PT) on the CBS Television Network.    (Specific air times may vary across the country; check local listings in your city.)

There has been much discussion about war and peace in many places around the world.   Of late, a debate has developed about whether the war in Iraq is a just war.   For some people, however, the central issue is how to prevent wars and how to work to bring peace and forgiveness where there has been war. 

Whether it is tribes, clans, nations or religions fighting each other, there are people at war and people hurting.  The peacemakers show up to prevent conflicts and to help heal the wounds of conflicts.  The program presents just a few of the world's peacemakers, their organizations, programs and insights:

•  John Paul Lederach, professor of peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame, is a Mennonite, and has worked in West Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland and elsewhere.  He works to bring people together and he finds courageous people working in difficult circumstances for peace.   
•  Rev. Patricia Ackerman, an Episcopal priest, is part of the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Iraq working group.  Also, through this group, Ackerman works to empower and protect the women of Iraq.  
•  Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General, World Conference of Religions for Peace, assists religious communities around the world to work together to bring an end to violence.  He also works to promote the role of women within various religious organizations.   
•  Masanko Banda, Vice President, Pathways To Peace, works for peace around the world using drums, music and dance.  He has taken his drums to Sierra Leone and to Croatia's refugee camps to rehabilitate young people traumatized by violence.

John P. Blessington is the executive producer of the special; Ted Holmes is the producer. It is being produced with the cooperation of the National Council of Churches, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Jewish Theological Seminary and the Southern Baptist Broadcast Communication Group.

Specific air times and dates vary; click here for partial list of stations, air dates and times and/or check your local CBS affiliate's listings.  (Note: The program's working title was "Just War Just Peace.")

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