The 2012 Annual Friendship and Dialog Dinner was held in Hilton-Austin on November 11th, 2012. In the dinner program, a keynote by Father Louis T. Brusatti, Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies and Director: Center for Religion and Culture at St. Edward’s University, and discussed the question, “What is the place of Interreligious Dialogue in the midst of the Culture Wars of the 21st Century”.

What is the place of Interreligious Dialogue in the midst of the Culture Wars of the 21st Century
Father Louis T. Brusatti joined St. Edward’s University in July 2002 as the School of Humanities dean after serving seven years as dean of the School of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. An ordained Catholic priest, his ministry has been primarily focused in higher education and has included teaching assignments at DePaul University in Chicago, St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, Kenrick Seminary and Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. He completed his ten year term as dean summer 2011 and is now an Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies and Director of the newly established Center for Religion and Culture at St. Edward’s University.

2012 Dialogue Institute Peace Award Recipient: Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo
Because Chief Acevedo believes in the uppermost importance of good communication for a successful community, he has steadily worked to strengthen the bond between the people of Austin and their police department. He has forged partnerships with elected officials, diverse community organizations, youth groups, district attorney, the defense bar, and the media. As police chief, Acevedo also works to build sound relationships within the department. APD has reduced departmental expenditures by approximately $15 million, while maintaining service to the city, reducing crime, and keeping Austin-the fastest growing city in the nation-one of its safest.