With all the issues affecting the world today, many views regarding such controversial issues as abortion and euthanasia have become a hot topic among college students, as well as among people across the country and world.

Sanctity of Human Life Week, an event sponsored by the Lighthouse Society, is designed to inform Eau Claire students and community members about these issues and provide alternate viewpoints to popular beliefs, said sophomore Carla Haworth, the organization’s president.

It will feature a series of five speakers, one speaker each day from Monday to Friday, who will discuss “protecting life from natural conception until natural death,” according to a press release.

The purpose of organizing the event is to provide students and community members with information on the issues as well as an open dialogue to discuss the issues, said sophomore Chris Nielson, the Lighthouse Society’s project manager.

Another reason is to present the group’s view on such issues as abortion and euthanasia, Nielson said.

“Too often there is one popular position (on campus),” he said. He added that SoHL week is a way of what he called challenging the campus orthodox.

Lighthouse Society President Carla Haworth agreed with Nielson, saying the group is trying to present the “other side of life, (or) the life issues.”

“So often the pro-choice and pro-abortion side is everywhere,” she said. “We want to present our side so there is equal representation.”

According to the organization’s Web site, the “Lighthouse Society exists to promote and protect the sanctity of human life through the education of the public concerning life issues and by providing compassionate assistance to those facing decisions affecting human life.”

Members of the Eau Claire student organization have been working on planning the events and getting speakers since early September, said senior Sarah Sward, the group’s treasurer.

Speakers for the event include Paul O’Donnell, spokesman for the parents of Terri Schiavo and member of Franciscan Brothers of Peace; Scott Southworth, district attorney for Juneau County; Sue Armacost, legislative and political action committee director for Wisconsin Right to Life; and Melinda Gardner, director of Apple Pregnancy Care Center, 2600 Stein Blvd.

“We thought about (having) student speakers, but we wanted people that were knowledgeable about the topics,” Haworth said.

The presentations, which will last about 50 minutes, each will include a 30-minute lecture from the speaker, followed by 20 minutes reserved for audience questions and comments, Nielson said.