PrintActivities and Workshops
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Presentation in the
Whittier College program.
Causes of War, Paths to Peace
September 11-12, 2009 | Whittier College (Whittier, CA)
On September 11-12 USIP sponsored a program with Whittier College that focused on using experiential approaches to understanding the causes of war and efforts to bring about global peace. The program was built largely on Dr. Joyce Kaufman’s efforts with the International Negotiation Project (INP) originally funded by the U.S. Institute of Peace in the late 1980s. The INP is based on the premise that students learn best when actively engaged as decision makers on international issues. The project demonstrates to them the critical role that negotiation and effective communication play in promoting peaceful diplomacy. In playing leaders from a range of countries, students learn how issues can be perceived differently when seen through the eyes of a country other than the U.S. Many students who have engaged in the INP effort have gone on to make diplomacy or international studies their life-work believing that they can make a difference in promoting peace in the world. The September event brought together a group of high school teachers, many of whom were part of her original grant implementation, as well as community college faculty who have developed a community college variation of the program. The teachers and college faculty engaging in the program have found it to be an important means to making their classes more interesting and enriching. They also have found that it allows them to use new strategies in teaching thereby making them better educators. The Center for Active Learning in International Studies at the University of Southern California was a co-sponsor and presented on their work with secondary education audiences. David Smith and Raina Kim from USIP organized the Institute efforts. George Latio, a student at Ohio University and former Sudanese child soldier, and Greg Rabb, a faculty member at Jamestown Community College in New York, presented and were sponsored by USIP. Karla Alvarez, coordinator of the WorldLink Program at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice, was the September 11, 2009 keynote presenter.
- Read about the program in the Whittier Daily News
Exploring Global Peacebuilding: Providing Teachers with Strategies to Engage Students
June 29-30, 2009 | Baker College (Auburn Hills, MI)
USIP sponsored a teacher education program at Baker College in Auburn Hills, MI titled "Exploring Global Peacebuilding: Providing Teachers with Strategies to Engage Students" June 29-30, 2009. The Institute worked with the Education Program at Baker to develop an event that focused on approaches to teaching about peace in the secondary classroom. Nearly 30 teachers from the Oakland County public school district and surrounding area participated. The conflicts in Somalia and Israel/Palestine were examined as well as strategies to teaching about these topics. There were also presentations on the use of strategic non-violent action and restorative approaches in the classroom. USIP specialists Alison Milofsky and David J. Smith worked with Tom Smith and Jim Conlen of Baker College to develop the program. Presenters included Irene Nasser from Just Vision, Emily Seigel from Interfaith Peace-Builders, Abdi Kusow from Oakland University, Peter Dougherty from Michigan Peace Team, and Bill Warters from Wayne State University.
- Read an article about the seminar in The Voice of Baker College of Auburn Hills (.PDF)
JSU faculty, students and area
teachers participated in the
seminar.
Exploring Global Conflicts: Teaching an International Peacebuilding Perspective
April 20-21, 2009 | Jackson State University (Jackson, MS)
The Institute partnered with the Jackson State University (JSU) College of Education and Human Development to host a 2-day seminar designed for education faculty and students, and Jackson area teachers to build capacity in teaching about international peacebuilding. Held at JSU, an historically black college and university (HBCU), the program focused both on pedagogical approaches as well as introducing current content issues. Topics included nonviolent civic action (and the running of a simulation), non-civilian approaches to atrocity crimes, the impact of armed conflict on youth, and the National Peace Essay Contest. USIP participants included Dominic Volonnino, Greg Noone, Raina Kim, and David J. Smith. The JSU team was headed by Ingrad Smith of the College of Education. Jimmie Briggs, the author of Innocents Lost, was hosted by USIP. Briggs and Smith were interviewed on April 20 by WJSU, the NPR affiliate in Jackson on the show "Issues and Images."
Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow
Leonard Rubenstein discusses
"The Paradoxes of Protection of
Health in War."
Strategies for Peace, Global Sustainability & Conflict Transformation: Teaching Peace Across Disciplines
April 3, 2009 | Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, CT)
USIP sponsored a faculty seminar titled "Strategies for Peace, Global Sustainability & Conflict Transformation: Teaching Peace Across Disciplines" with the Hartford Consortium for Peace Education, World Affairs Council, Pax Educare, Central Connecticut State University, University of Hartford, and St. Joseph College on April 3, 2009. Held at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT the seminar focused on supporting faculty in their efforts in teaching peace across a spectrum of fields including media, public health, human rights, business/economics, and gender. The seminar featured several Institute specialists including Nadia Gerspacher, Raymond Gilpin, and Scott Carlson. Vladimir Bratic from Hollins University also presented. Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow Leonard R. Rubenstein gave a keynote talk on "The Paradoxes of Protection of Health in War." David J. Smith from the Education and Training Center/Domestic worked with faculty from the Hartford Consortium to coordinate the event.
David Smith speaks to faculty at
Riverland Community College.
Institute Specialist Speaks at Riverland Community College
March 31-April 1, 2009 | Austin, MN
USIP specialist David J. Smith spoke to students, faculty, and community members at Riverland Community College in Austin, MN, March 31-April 1, 2009. He was hosted by Nancy Christopherson who attended the Institute's annual seminar for community college faculty and administrators in 2008. In Austin, Smith gave talks on civil society, child soldiers, and approaches to teaching about peace and conflict. His visit was announced in the Austin Post-Bulletin and the Austin Daily Herald on March 31, 2009.
Casualties during an attack by
insurgents.
Institute Staff Participate in Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education Simulation
March 6-8, 2009 | Ft. Pierce, FL
USIP specialists participated in the Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education's 2009 Atlantic Hope exercise at Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce, FL March 6-8. The event brought together 25 students from various academic institutions including the University of Florida, Northwest Missouri State University, Northern Oklahoma College, and Indian River State College to engage in a simulation where they played the role of humanitarian workers and peacebuilders deployed in a conflict zone. As a result of the experience, students were provided with a realistic understanding of working in complex conflict zones and what a career in the field may portend. ETC/D staff members Jeff Helsing, Nadia Gerspacher and David J. Smith participated as role players but also in a consulting fashion.
Institute Hosts American Councils for International Education Students
January 31, 2009 | Washington, DC
On January 31, 2009 Raina Kim and David J. Smith of the Education and Training Center/Domestic ran a day long event for 21 students participating in a year long student exchange program through the American Councils for International Education. The students - from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Palestine, Germany, and the US - engaged in a USIP simulation on natural resources and conflict. Students were introduced to approaches that civil society uses to promote conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Pittsburgh High School Students Visit USIP
December 20, 2008 | Washington, DC
Students from Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School visited the Institute on December 12, 2008. As part of the Sophomore Colloquia of the Baginski Scholars Programs, 16 students learned about the work of USIP and participated in a simulation which focused on strategies that civil society can use in peacebuilding. The group was hosted by David J. Smith of the Education and Training Center/Domestic Programs.
A peace pole was dedicated
during the week.
Peace Week at Tampa Area Community College
November 20–21, 2008 | New Port Richey, FL
The Institute participated in Peace Week at Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey, FL on November 20–21, 2008. The week featured a student peace fair, talks on genocide, art and peace, and peace and social justice, a film festival, the creation of a sand mandala, and the dedication of a peace pole. David J. Smith of the Education and Training Center spoke on "Community Colleges as Agents of Global Peace" and "The International Crisis in the Use of Child Soldiers." The week's events were organized by Professor Karen Davis, an alum of the Institute's program for community college faculty and administrators.
Missouri Visit by Institute Staff
November 5–7, 2008 | Lake Ozark, MO
David J. Smith of the Education and Training Center was the opening keynote speaker at the Missouri Community College Association's (MCCA) 44th Annual Convention in Lake Ozark, Missouri, November 5–7, 2008. He spoke on opportunities that community colleges have in promoting international education and global peacebuilding. He also presented later in the conference on strategies that community colleges are using to promote peace and conflict issues on their campuses. MCCA is a state-wide organization representing Missouri's 12 community colleges. The conference attracted about 700 community college educators, staff, and administrators.
From left to right: Peter
Schmitthenner (Chair of
Interdisciplinary Studies), Lauren
Van Metre (USIP), Jerzy Nowak
(Center Director), David J. Smith
(USIP), and Willene Johnson (USIP)
Institute Experts Assist Virginia Tech in Peace Center Effort
October 23–24, 2008 | Blacksburg, VA
View Photo Gallery | Read Full Story
On October 23 & 24, 2008 USIP staff met with representatives of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA in an effort to assist in the center's development. Presentations were made to members of the Virginia Tech community on peace studies, leadership and conflict, and economics and conflict. Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow Keith Watenpaugh gave a talk on "Learning from Genocide" that was open to the public. Additional USIP staff participating included Willene Johnson, Lauren Van Metre, and David J. Smith, all from the Education and Training Center/Domestic Programs. The visit to Virginia Tech was reported in the Roanoke Times.
David Smith speaking with
students at Southwest Virginia
Community
College.
USIP Visits Appalachian College
October 22, 2008 | Richlands, VA
David Smith of the Education and Training Center/Domestic Programs visited students, staff, and community members at Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, VA on October 22, 2008. He was hosted by John Brenner, the global studies director. During the visit, Smith talked about the child soldier crisis, the work of USIP, and approaches to teaching about global peace and conflict. While at the college, he also spoke to students at the Brazil America Association in Recife, Brazil. His visit was supported by the Southwest Virginia Regional Center for Teaching Excellence.
Conflict Resolution Day 2008
October 16, 2008 | Washington, DC
USIP cosponsored with the Association for Conflict Resolution and the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University a national teleconference on October 16, 2008 in celebration of Conflict Resolution Day. Calls were taken from across the U.S. David J. Smith of the Education and Training Center/Domestic participated in a panel discussion titled "Working for Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: How Can I Make a Better World?." A second panel discussion titled "Conflict Resolution, Democracy, and Policymaking: Lessons and Challenges" included Nabil Al-Tikriti of the University of Mary Washington and a former Institute Jennings Randolph fellow. More information on Conflict Resolution Day can be found at: www.acrnet.org/crday/index.htm.
Participants at USIP and Idaho
Human Rights Education Center
workshop.
Institute Promotes Human Rights and Peacebuilding Education in Idaho
October 2–3, 2008 | McCall, ID
The United States Institute of Peace and the Idaho Human Rights Education Center held a workshop for secondary school educators in McCall, Idaho on Thursday, October 2, 2008 and Friday, October 3, 2008. The two-day workshop included talks on international conflict and American foreign policy by Dr. Greg Raymond and on international agreements and crimes against humanity by Dr. Ross Burkhart from Boise State University. Led by Raina Kim, Program Officer, Education and Training Center/Domestic, teachers discussed challenges of teaching about complex international conflicts and shared pedagogical methods, participated in a short role-play exercise, and created lesson plans for the classroom. Dr. Dan Prizing of the Idaho Human Rights Education Center provided additional guidance and teaching resources on teaching about human rights.
USIP hosts reception on
September 24. David Smith is in
center.
USIP Hosts Reception at Conflict Resolution Conference
September 24–26, 2008 | Austin, TX
Ian Larsen, Director of Public Affairs and Communications as well as Andy Levin and David Smith from the Education and Training Center/Domestic recently participated in the Association for Conflict Resolution's conference in Austin, Texas. The Institute hosted a reception as part of the International Day activities on September 24. Smith also presented as part of a panel presentation on higher education. The conference featured a keynote address by Lee Hamilton of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and co-chair of the Iraq Study Group. A panel discussion that followed included former USIP Jennings Randolph fellow Nabil Al-Tikriti from the University of Mary Washington. Smith also spoke on child soldiers at Austin Community College on September 25.
USIP Celebrates United Nations International Day of Peace
September 21–22, 2008 | Cortland, OH
View Photo Gallery | View Videok bub, we'll
The Institute participated in the UN-sponsored International Day of Peace on September 21, 2008 at a celebration in Cortland, Ohio. The event was coordinated by local residents Jean and Clyde Bolinger and included a peace rally and walk to the center of the city where Mayor Curt Moll read a proclamation. This was followed by an assembly at Lakeview High School that featured announcing the winners of a poster and essay contest. The winners of the essay contest read their winning essays. There was also music by the high school choir. The afternoon keynote address was given by David J. Smith, Senior Program Officer in the Education and Training Center. He spoke on work of peacebuilding, focusing on contemporary peacemakers including the efforts of youth. Nearly 400 residents including a large number of young people participated in the event. On the following day, Smith spoke to over 200 students at Lakeview High School about the work of peace.
- Read an article about USIP's visit to Cortland in the Warren Tribune.
- View more photos about USIP at the International Day of Peace.
El Camino professor Kell Stone
lecturing to his students and
students in Peru simultaneously.
David Smith visited this class.
Institute Staff Visit California and Oregon to Promote Peacebuilding
September 9, 2008 | Torrance, CA
September 10, 2008 | Long Beach, CA
September 11, 2008 | Fairfield, CA
September 11-14, 2008 | Portland, OR
View Photo Gallery | View Video
Program Officer Raina Kim and Senior Program Officer David J. Smith recently visited academic institutions on the west coast to promote the Institute's work. Starting in the Los Angeles area, David Smith participated in El Camino College's peace festival. El Camino is in Torrance, CA. He then spoke on the child soldier issue at both Long Beach City College and at Solano Community College in Fairfield, CA. Finally, Kim and Smith hosted a USIP reception at the Peace & Justice Studies Association meeting at Portland State University. Kim also visited the Global and Multicultural Resource Center at the university.
Infusing Understanding of Peace and Conflict in the Muslim World into the Curriculum
June 17-20, 2008 | Madison, WI
View Photo Gallery | Download the agenda (PDF | 1.6 MB)
USIP co-sponsored a three-day faculty development program at Madison Area Technical College from June 18-20, 2008, focusing on promoting strategies for teaching about the Muslim world. The program was supported by a Title VI grant from the Department of Education. Other sponsors included the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs, and the Wisconsin Technical College System Standing Committee on International Education. College and secondary school faculty from Wisconsin, Kansas, Illinois, Virginia, New Mexico and other states participated. Qamar-ul Huda, John Voll from Georgetown University, Manoucher Khosrowshahi from Tyler Junior College, Safiya Ghori from the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and Nader Ayish from American University and Fairfax County Public Schools presented. The program was coordinated by Geoff Bradshaw from Madison Area Technical College and David Smith.
University of Hawaii Students Visit USIP
May 29, 2008 | Washington, DC
Students from the University of Hawaii Maui Community College visited USIP on May 29, accompanied by faculty member Joshua Cooper. The students were participating in a program on human rights sponsored by the University of the District of Columbia School of Law, the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Institute for Human Rights. Matt Levinger talked to the group about genocide prevention.
Educating Michigan Communities About Child Soldiers
May 15-16, 2008 | University Center, MI
David Smith visited Delta College and the Saginaw, Michigan area May 15-16, 2008 to lecture about the international crisis in the use of child soldiers. He also met with faculty, students, and administrators at Delta College about efforts to develop a global peace and conflict program. He was hosted by faculty members Jeff Dykhuizen and Connie Watson. Dr. Dykhuizen attended "Global Peace and Security in Community Colleges and the Communities They Serve," USIP's annual seminar for community college faculty and administrators.
From left to right: Jeff Dykhuizen,
psychology faculty; Jean Goodnow,
president of Delta College; David
Smith, USIP; and Connie Watson,
psychology faculty.
USIP Promotes Peacebuilding Education in New Hampshire
April 24-25, 2008 | Nashua, NH
USIP visited Nashua Community College in Nashua, New Hampshire from April 24-25, 2008 to support the college's efforts at integrating the teaching of peace and conflict issues into its curriculum. Until recently known as New Hampshire Community Technical College, the college is considering programmatic changes that would result in it becoming a comprehensive community college. David Smith met with an array of college and community individuals including Lucille Jordan, president of the college; Arthur Harris, chair of liberal arts; Chris Dale, professor at New England College; and Laurie Goodman, community representative for Congressman Paul Hodes. Smith also met with faculty and students looking at various curriculum based approaches that might be considered. He was invited by Barbara Thorngren, a member of the education faculty at Nashua.
USIP Supports International Education and Peace Efforts in East Texas
April 22, 2008 | Tyler, TX
View Photo Gallery
The Institute participated in Tyler Junior College's 18th Annual International Day on April 22, 2008 in Tyler, Texas. Focusing on world peace, the event featured 50 exhibits and displays including 43 country displays. The event attracted 3,500 visitors from the region including a number of secondary school groups. The event was organized by Manoucher Khosrowshahi, government instructor at Tyler and a participant in the 2006 USIP community college seminar. David Smith was the guest of honor. His remarks were recorded by CBS19 in Tyler.
Nonviolence as a Tool for Change: Cumberland, Maryland and Allegany College of Maryland
April 3-4, 2008 | Cumberland, MD
View Photo Gallery
The Education and Training Center/Domestic Program participated in the "Nonviolence as a Tool for Change" symposium in Cumberland, Maryland, April 3-4, 2008. David Smith presented at Allegany College of Maryland on child soldiers and talked to faculty about peace and conflict curriculum strategies. He also spoke on the role of civil society in building global peace and ran a simulation with students at the college. The symposium was part of the program honoring the "Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." which was sponsored by a number of entities including Frostburg State University, the Maryland Humanities Council, and the Allegany County (MD) Board of Education, among other organizations.
"Youth and Conflict" - International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education
March 28-29, 2008 | Cleveland, OH
View Photo Gallery
The Education and Training Center/Domestic Program was a co-sponsor of the Second International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education March 28-29, 2008 at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. The host was the Global Issues Resource Center. Nearly 400 individuals and organizations from 30 countries attended the conference, making it one of the largest gatherings of those working in the field of conflict resolution education to date.
USIP sponsored Jimmie Briggs, author of Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War, who was the opening keynote speaker. David Smith also spoke about child soldiers and peace and conflict curriculum. Other presenters included Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye—known as "The Pastor and Imam"—who discussed their inspiring work on interfaith peacemaking in Nigeria, of which USIP is a major supporter; Dr. Siriporn Boonyananta, deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Education in Thailand; Prosper Ndabishuriye, the general coordinator of Youth in Reconstruction of the World in Destruction in Burundi; and Dorothy Ndung'u, of NPI-Africa in Kenya.
Child Soldiers Lecture at Lakeland Community College
March 27, 2008 | Kirtland, OH
David Smith spoke at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio on March 27, 2008, on "The Wars Children Fight: Strategies to End the Use of Child Soldiers." He was invited by the college's Center for International Education and its director, Dr. Jennifer Forster.
Atlantic Hope 2008: Negotiating in a Humanitarian Crisis
March 7-9, 2008 | Ft. Pierce, FL
View Photo Gallery
The Education and Training Center/Domestic participated in "Atlantic Hope 2008" at Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce, Florida. David Smith trained 25 students from Northwest Missouri State University and Indian River Community College in negotiating in a humanitarian crisis, in this case, in the fictional country of Atlantica. After the training, students participated in a 72 hour "live" simulation of working in a conflict zone that experiences a natural disaster.
USIP Participates in Global Youth Forum in Chicago
November 7-11, 2007 | Chicago, IL
People to People International, an international leader in promoting global awareness as a way of fostering world peace, asked USIP to develop a program on the complexities of international conflict and resolution for their annual Global Youth Forum. The Global Youth Forum attracts about 250 students each year, ages 13-18.
Dennis Ross Speaks at USIP Mediation Conference
September 27-28, 2007 | Washington, DC
View Photo Gallery | Download Agenda
USIP recently brought together 25 conflict resolution professionals to participate in a conference focusing on mediation strategies. The program featured a simulation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a presentation on mediation by former Middle East envoy Dennis Ross.