Northern Ireland, Summer 2011/Summer 2012

The Northern Ireland trip took students on an educational journey into the multifarious field of conflict transformation. During the week in Northern Ireland, students encountered "lived" experiences of conflict transformation and were introduced to some of the core theories, strategies, and applications useful for transforming violent conflicts and cultivating reconciliation. The Corrymeala Centre in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland was the center of the trip. Day trips to Londonderry and Belfast rounded out the students' firsthand experience. A variety of groups visited Corrymeala to engage the students in discussion of the historical, religious, and societal implications of the civil strife and the measures underway to heal the wounds of a country and its citizens.

Israel/West Bank, Summer 2010

This summer study tour offered students an opportunity to explore more fully the challenges of human security in Israel and the West Bank and to encounter the many voices within the region participating in the complex work of conflict transformation. A variety of key relationships were explores: israel-Palestine, Interreligious (Muslim-Jewish-Christian), Jewish-Arab (minority-majority), Jewish-Secular, and Israel-Syria (Galilee/Golan Heights). Visits to the Jerusalem Interreligious Young Adult Council, the Arab Education Institute, the LaJee Center, and Holy Land Trust were a few of the organizations that the students visited, as well as meeting with local and international, religious and sectarian, leaders in the communities. Students also enjoyed the hospitality of dinner and an overnight stay with Palestinian families in Bethlehem.

Bolivia, Summer 2009

The study seminar to Bolivia focused on indigenous sustainable human development. The majority of the time was spent in Altiplano region with Aymara indigenous. Bolivia is a very complex and divided country economically. The history of colonialism, economic imperialism and institutionalized racism has combined to make a country rich in resources the poorest nation in South America. It was not until 1994 that the indigenous received full rights of citizenship. The awakening of the indigenous consciousness plus a well organized left political movement has led to the election of Evo Morales, an indigenous person who is the first presidential candidate in the democracy period (1982-present) to receive more than 50% of the vote in presidential elections. A new constitution was recently written and approved giving departments (states) more autonomy and the indigenous culture more recognition.

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