System-Wide Activities
Board of Directors of the US Association for the University for Peace (UPEACE/US) holds first annual board meeting
On 16 May 2006, the Board of Directors of the US Association for the University for Peace (UPEACE/US) held its first annual board meeting. UPEACE/US is a recently established non-profit organization that just received its 501(c)(3) (tax exempt) status from the US Internal Revenue Service. It is currently a small organization with three board members and an executive director, with plans for expansion of the board and staff. The group plans to raise funds and awareness, mostly in the U.S., to support the mission and programs of UPEACE with the future goal of working to create an endowment to secure the future of the University.
For the picture note: From left to right, Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Dennis Dubin, Stephanie Gliege, Alex Wolfington, and Peter de Janosi.
UPEACE-Toronto Centre organizes workshop on “Peace Education in Islamic Communities”
From 15-19 May 2006, the UPEACE-Toronto Centre held a workshop on “Peace Education in Islamic Communities”. Dr. Mohammed Au Nimer, UPEACE visiting Professor; Eliana Carvalho, Instructor, Peace Education; and Amr Abdalla, Dean for Academic Programmes, all attended the workshop, along with Toronto colleagues Fayen d´Evie, Deputy Executive Director and Emily Toonen, Project Officer.
Distinguished scholars and practitioners of peace studies and Islamic studies attended the workshop from South and South East Asia, Canada and the United States. This workshop represents one of the first major events for UPEACE in Canada.
Rector Julia Marton-Lefèvre attends Commencement 2006 at American University
On 14 May 2006, Rector Julia Marton-Lefèvre went to American University in Washington D.C to attend the Commencement 2006, where 18 students graduated from the Dual MA in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Programme. Students also received a diploma in International Affairs from American University.
The Dual Master’s Degree Programme exposes students to a comprehensive and integrative approach to the study of natural resources, sustainable development, and peace and security, and integrated the social economic and environmental dimensions of the field with an emphasis on developing countries and questions of social and environmental justice in the global context.
Students enrolled in this programme spend their first and last semester at American University in Washington D.C and their second and third semesters at UPEACE in Costa Rica. Students earn two Master’s degrees, one from American University and one from University for Peace.
Professor Rolain Borel travels to Guatemala
From 11-12 May, Professor Rolain Borel and Head of the Department of Environment, Peace and Security traveled to Guatemala to participate in the CyC publication launching.
CALAS - Centro de Acción Legal-Ambiental y Social de Guatemala - received one of the research grants under the CyC Project. CALAS is also a contributor to the research projects that the Department of Environment, Peace and Security –DEPS- is implementing in Guatemala thanks to the collaboration of Ronnie de Camino and Jean Breitling and the host of one of the Natural Resources RSD interns for the 2006 summer.
On 11 May, CALAS organized a CyC book launching activity in Guatemala City and Professor Borel was invited as a panellist of the book presentation. About 80 persons from different sectors attended the activity: academia, government, NGOs, international cooperation, and indigenous organizations were all represented. Two other panellists reviewed the publication: Lic. Rosa María Wantland of the Landivar University and Dr. Yuri Melini, CALAS Director General. To view the presentation of Professor Borel please click here: http://www.upeace.org/faculty/borel.cfm
In the morning of 11 May, a meeting was held involving some of the leading CALAS staff. They reviewed the perspectives of establishing a centre that would provide service to indigenous communities on the management/transformation of the environmental conflicts they are engaged in.
On 12 May, a working breakfast was organized with representatives of about a dozen organizations that deal with environmental conflicts and indigenous human rights in Guatemala.
Training of Trainers Workshop
From 21-22 April 2006, “Training of Trainers Workshop from the Local Leadership Pilot Project” took place in the Albergue Las Nacientes de Palmichal, Palmichal de Acosta. This workshop is the result of a partnership between Lead, C2015 and UPEACE. Three Lead facilitators run the training of trainers workshop in preparation for the First Validation Workshop that took place a week after. The materials used during the workshop were reviewed in detail, and the dynamics for the Validation workshop were also organized.
From 24-28 April, the First Validation Workshop for Local Leaders took place also in the Albergue Las Nacientes de Palmichal, Palmichal de Acosta. Nineteen local leaders from Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica participated in the workshop oriented to validate training materials developed by Lead in the following themes: Leadership Styles, Systems Thinking, Cross-Cultural Communication, Negotiation, Ethics and Networking. The leaders were able to share with the partners and facilitators their insights on how to implement these materials in their own reality. This valuable input will allow the partners to adapt the material in such a way that the final product will be appropriate for the local communities realities. The last day of the workshop, the leaders participated in a Round Table with 4 local leaders that have been very successful in their endeavors and for many years. The participants were able to share experiences and ask direction from these four panelists. The leaders also became part of the Local Leadership Network and have established action plans in groups. They will present the results of their action plans at the Second Validation Workshop that will take place July 24-27, 2006.
Student life
Sara Saeed Khan
Current student
MA in Gender and Peace Building
Asia day, lots of papers to write and readings to do, rains rains and rains, gallo pinto, Tamarindo, habla Español and replying “ si” to every question asked in Spanish even if I was being swore at sums up the larger than life experience I have had at UPEACE. Oh and also add the resilient mosquitoes in room number 4, whose determination to bite us can’t be killed by the strongest mosquito repellent of these times. I still remember my mother asking me why Costa Rica, and seeing those mosquitoes and eating gallo pinto three times a day made me ask myself those questions too. But as I leave I realize how wonderful this experience has been, interacting with students from different backgrounds through sharing food, arguing over opinions and generating ideas over lunch (Asia day being one of them) totally made me oblivious to the other struggles I had (like dissecting the mosquitoes to check if it was a dengue mosquito that just bit you). UPEACE, for me, was an institution blended with a strong purpose, which the modest building carries or the well lettered faculty, and most of all those people - from William at the gate wishing us buenos dias, to Esteban and Oscar helping us out with problems. All of them delivered lessons of love, peace and life, in just one touch. I made friends from countries my nation was not friends with and as our Mr. “Is it possible” puts it, “It was only because there were countries but no borders.” And its not a joy ride, there are moments of frustration, disappointment and no peace yet. What keeps us together and determined is that we are all here for the purpose of peace, for which even the sky is not the limit.
In the spotlight
On 30 June 2006, UPEACE will celebrate its Commencement 2006. The ceremony will take place at the Auditorio Nacional of the Museo del Niño. A total of 81 students will receive their diploma in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes, International Law and Human Rights, International Peace Studies, Gender and Peace Building, Peace Education, and Environmental Security and Peace. Fifteen students from the MA in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development have already received their diplomas at American University.
To view a portfolio of pictures from Commencement 2005, please click here: http://www.upeace.org/gallery2005/index.htm.
Academic Year almost gone
A total of 96 students are about to finish with their studies at UPEACE and say goodbye to an intensive but dynamic year that started in September 2005. For many, the experience of studying at UPEACE has changed their lives and views. Throughout the year, students have had the opportunity to participate in this weekly bulletin writing about their personal experiences. The following are a few quotes telling about their academic and non academic lives.
“From the classroom to the board room, to the dance floor, there is no other place I would rather be studying than UPEACE”. Ajit Singh.
“The opportunity to interact with the UPEACE and local communities, participate in challenging courses focused on practical education, and being immersed in a Spanish speaking environment have led to a feeling of genuine fulfillment”. April Stanley.
“Life at UPEACE has been a challenging but wonderful experience. There have been many interesting experiences including the social and cultural events and an assistantship with the Rector on career issues. Thank God for my professor Gudmundur Eriksson who has not only been an academic mentor but a source of inspiration. In addition, my classmates have all contributed interesting ideas on a variety of issues, enriching the program and motivating my life.” Bibian Isoto.
“There are other smaller, everyday experiences that have been equally important in making my time at UPEACE unforgettable. Being part of a multicultural environment; interacting with students from all parts of the world and learning from fellow classmates’ life-experiences has been incredible”. Hilja Smedstad.
Thank you” to Gudmundur, Stephanie, Hassan, Juan Sonia and all the visiting instructors. I have been very inspired by all your work and your words of faith in all of us. It is truly a great honor to have met you and had you as my professors. UPEACE gave me a lot of opportunities for interaction with students from different parts of the world”. Ekaterina Shiriaeva.
Important Fact
The latest number of the Columbia University publication Journal of International Affairs contains comments by Professor Gudmundur Eiriksson on papers by United States scholars on the question of whether the United States should become a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. To view the comments in the form of an interview with the editors, please click here. Professor Gudmundur Eiriksson is the Head of the Department of International Law and Human Rights.