International Peace & Conflict Resolution
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
Table of Contents
Spring 2011
www.american.edu/sis/ipcr
Volume 11, Issue 3
IPCR Alumni Share Career Planning Advice with Students
(photo by Rachel Lincoln)
Diversity
Coalition
[page 3]
Student
Conference
[page 4]
Peace
Award
[page 7]
Alumni
Highlights
[page 9]
Opportunities
[ page 10]
Marselha Goncalves-Margerin
Rob Satrom
RFK Center for Justice
US Dept. of
Micael Bogar
and Human Rights
Jason Terry
State
Chemonics Julie Szegda
NAFSA:
Association of
Nina Talley-Kalokoh
US Dept. of
International
Educators
Encompass, LLC
Homeland Security
Courtney Hess MA/IPCR ‘11
Navigating the career field can be an intimidating prospect for students rounding out their
studies in the IPCR program. The IPCR Career
Planning and Exploration Workshop sought to
provide soon-to-be graduates and continuing students with an opportunity to find out what sort
of careers IPCR alumni have found and to seek
their advice on how to navigate the job hunt.
The February 24th event was hosted by the
IPCR Program in conjunction with the Society
for Peace and Conflict Resolution (SPCR) and
the American University Career Center.
The United States Institute of Peace released
a report, titled “Graduate Education and Professional Practice in International Peace and
Conflict Resolution,” which examined how well
graduate programs are preparing students for
work in peace and conflict resolution field. Nike
Carstarphen, co-author of the study, spoke to
what employers are looking for when they hire
graduate students. She identified overseas experi-
ence and program management skills as the two
major competencies that employers seek.
She also advised students to be creative in
their job searches and to take advantage of the
broad range of opportunities in the field, not
limiting one’s career options.
IPCR Program Director Ron Fisher discussed
a report he had produced with two of his former
graduate assistants, Sarah Beller (MA/IPCR ’09)
and Graig Klein (MA/IPCR ’09). The report, titled “US Government Innovations in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: Implications for the
IPCR Program,” outlines the various agencies in
the United States Government that are engaged
in peacebuiding and conflict resolution.
Fisher assured students that these agencies are
looking for the skills and competencies that students gain from their time in the IPCR program
including general conflict literacy, the ability to
conduct conflict analyses and assessments, and
cross-cultural communication skills.
Following the presentations of the reports,
See Career, continued page 2
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Career, continued from page 1
students were given an opportunity to interface directly with alumni, who, just a few
years ago, were in their same position, preparing to enter the job field.
Career Center Advisor John Charles advised students to take advantage of IPCR
alumni when looking for jobs and career advice.
“They are people who can be instrumental in launching you in your career after
AU,” Charles said.
In a modified speed-networking format, each alumnus hosted a round table where
current students could not only learn about their career path but also ask particular
questions that alumni from the same program were well-equipped to answer.
Charles thought the unique format was a good departure from the traditional
panel discussion seen at many similar events. “The chance to have conversations in
round table form allowed so much more back and forth,” he said.
Students also reported that they gained useful insight from the event.
“It is good to hear what people are doing in their jobs and brainstorm what you
are looking for, even if you don’t get there right away,” said Elli Simon (MA/IPCR
’12)
For second year student Alison Drury (MA/IPCR ’11), the event offered confirmation and assurance. “I feel better about where I am right now,” she said. “I have
new directions and insights on how to get there.”
First year student Johannes Langer appreciated the reminder that there is life after
graduate school. “It was very helpful,” he said, “it reminded me that when reading
for class to keep in mind that you need it for practice too.”
The event was also an opportunity for alumni to give back to the IPCR community. Nina Talley-Kalokoh (MA/IPCR ’09) appreciated the opportunity to return to
AU to talk about her work as a Program Coordinator for EnCompass, LLC.
“Some of the most influential experiences I had at AU were in interacting with
alumni,” she said. “It is nice to be able to contribute.”
For more information:
USIP Report: http://www.usip.org/files/resources/sr246.pdf
Prof. Fisher’s report: http://www.american.edu/sis/ipcr/upload/US-Government-Innovations-in-Peacebuilding-11-29-10-with-Exec-Summary.pdf
Career Center: http://www.american.edu/careercenter/
SIS, American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20016
Ronald Fisher, Director IPCR
rfisher@american.edu, 202-885-1547
Abdul Aziz Said, Founding Director IPCR
Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace
asaid@american.edu, 202-885-1622
Maura Scully, Farsi Chair Coordinator
Office of Abdul Aziz Said, 202-885-1632
scully@american.edu
Rebecca Davis, IPCR Coordinator
peace@american.edu, 202-885-1622
Marley Crutcher, Academic Advisor, IPCR
crutcher@american.edu, 202-885-1733
Center for Global Peace
Mohammed Abu-Nimer
abunimer@american.edu, 202-885-1656
Peacebuilding & Development Institute
Laurie Segel-Moss, Associate Director
pdi@american.edu, 202-885-2014
Journal of Peacebuilding and Development
jpd.subscriptions@gmail.com
IPCR Skills Institute Program
Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Faculty Director
abunimer@american.edu, 202-885-1656
IPCR-Wesley Seminary Dual Degree Program
Charles Call, Faculty Director
call@american.edu
Ethics, Peace & Global Affairs Joint Degree
Julie Mertus, Co-Faculty Director
mertus@american.edu
Dialogue Development Group
Anas Alabbadi, President
ddg@american.edu
Society for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Courtney Hess, President
spcr@american.edu
Sudents meet
with alumna
Nina TalleyKalokoh for a
round table
session during
the workshop
(photo by Rachel
Lincoln).
Creative Peace Initiatives
Maria Gahan, Kate Elci, Co-Presidents
cpi@american.edu
Society for Ethics, Peace & Global Affairs
Niki Jawerth, President
sepga@american.edu
AU Negotiation Project
Trace Main, President
aunegotiationproject@gmail.com
IPCR Senator
Derek Tobias, derek.tobias@gmail.com
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IPCR Focusing on Diversity and Inclusion
Rebecca Davis MA/IPCR ‘11
The IPCR Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion is moving forward in its effort to increase recruitment and retention of domestic
minority students in the program. Like the IPCR Program itself, the
Coalition was catalyzed by students themselves.
IPCR Director Ron Fisher sees the focus of the Coalition as representative of “IPCR’s commitment to cultural diversity and political
pluralism rooted in our core values of empowerment, equality and
social justice.”
Mission Statement
The IPCR Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion is dedicated to
improving access, inclusion, and retention of historically under-represented domestic students of color in the IPCR Community. The
Coalition works to provide leadership in developing and
implementing strategies to advance the
university’s strategic goal to reflect and value diversity.
The seeds for the Coalition were planted nearly three years ago
when IPCR students Elli Nagai-Rothe (MA/IPCR ’10) and Nina
Talley-Kalokoh (MA/IPCR ’09) approached Director Ron Fisher
about intentionally working on increasing the numbers of students
and faculty of color in the program. With a shared concern about
minority representation, not just in the program, but also in the field
of peace and conflict resolution, the issue was discussed at the annual
IPCR Program Retreat in the spring of 2009. By the fall of 2009,
IPCR had created the Diversity Task Force, which has since changed
its name to the IPCR Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion.
The Coalition is a collaboration of faculty, staff, and students
associated with IPCR, all of whom are dedicated to bringing in
greater diversity to the program. The group currently includes IPCR
Professors Said, Fisher, and Nuamah; IPCR Staff Rebecca Davis and
Maura Scully; IPCR Students Brittany Gates (MA/IPCR ’11), Robbie Kleepko (MA/IPCR ’12), Neha Raval (MA/IPCR ’12), and Lydia
Melton (MA/IPCR ’12); IC Professor Wanda Wigfall-Williams
who is Associate IPCR faculty, and SIS Graduate Admissions
Director Amanda Taylor.
Lydia Melton connected her work on the Coalition to her own
experience. “I decided to be on the Coalition because students who
come from the same background as me, sometimes don’t believe they
can get into—and even graduate from—prestigious schools such
as American University. Being a part of the Coalition gives me the
opportunity to find, encourage and help those students to apply and
matriculate into AU.”
Now in its second year, the group is working on both recruitment and retention, hoping to contribute to the creation of a sense
of community in the campus climate that appeals to all students. All
new SIS graduate students of color were welcomed with a breakfast
reception during Portal Orientation in the fall that gave them an
opportunity to meet each other as well as second year students. The
community builder was well attended and will likely be built into
each year’s portal going forward.
The Coalition is focusing on several action items during this
spring, some focused on reaching out to newly admitted students,
and some in preparation for the next admissions cycle. Looking
ahead, Fisher commented, “The Coalition is well placed to make
important contributions to AU’s strategic goal to reflect and value
diversity through a combination of advocacy, service and collaboration.”
Wanis-St. John Launches New Book
Secrecy is a tool invoked by everyone on a daily basis. It is used to
signal a degree of familiarity, trust and intimacy between individuals.
It is also used as a tool of negotiations, a means of efficiency unencumbered by the media. But are there instances when secrecy can be
taken too far in negotiations? This is the theme Professor Anthony
Wanis-St.John examined in his new book Back Channel Negotiation:
Secrecy in the Middle East Peace Process, and in his Faculty Tea held on
February 15th.
The Faculty Tea series, sponsored by the Society for Peace and
Conflict Resolution (SPCR) and the IPCR Program, provides an
opportunity for students and the IPCR community to get to know
what faculty members are working on outside of the classroom.
This faculty tea doubled as a book launch celebrating the December release of Wanis-St. John’s book. The event was also co-sponsored
by the Middle East Studies Program, and drew a crowd of over forty
graduate students, undergraduate students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Wanis-St. John gave students an idea of the scope of this research
project, a book that is a compilation of more than a decade’s examination of behind the scenes negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian
peace process.
The recent Al-Jazerra leaks concerning
the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s
negotiation strategies
provided a timely
connection to WanisSt. John’s research on
secrecy.
“The original need
(photo by Annie Lyon)
[for secrecy] does
not go away,” explained Wanis-St. John, “it is multiplied because the
cause for concern is what causes secrecy.” The breach of what was
perceived as secure informs the need for increased secrecy, as leaders
become more reliant upon oral rather then documented means of
negotiation.
Wanis-St. John also highlighted the importance of ensuring public
awareness of agreements prior to implementation. Implementation
out of secret negotiations can destroy the established relationship
between the public and the negotiators and with the potential for an
ensuing state of chaos.
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Innovations in Student Leadership Conference
On February 26th, the Society for Peace and Conflict
Resolution hosted the 2011 Innovations in Student Leadership Conference at the School of International Service. In its
fifth year, the conference focused on the timely topic of the
role of the media in conflict resolution. With recent events
in North Africa, it served as a terrific forum to discuss how
media is being used to mobilize and communicate information during critical moments.
The conference brought together students, academics, and
practitioners in the field of peace and conflict resolution to
discuss how different forms of media, from new and social
media to traditional media forms, are being used as tools for
building peace and resolving conflict.
The Innovations in Student Leadership Conference is a
collaborative event organized by student leaders from several others schools in the Washington, D.C. area including
George Mason, Georgetown, George Washington, and Johns
Hopkins Universities.
This year’s events were also co-sponsored by partners at
American University including the Society for Ethics, Peace
and Global Affairs, the IPCR Program, and the SIS Graduate
Student Council.
The conference featured keynote speaker, John Marks,
President and Founder of Search for Common Ground
(SFCG), a Washington, D.C. based NGO doing innovative
peacebuilding work through media. Marks presented some of
SFCG’s previous and ongoing projects including The Team,
a TV and radio soap opera shown in sixteen countries that
discusses contentious issues like bridging ethnic and religious
divides, and The Shape of the Future, a documentary that was
simulcast on Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab satellite television.
The event was also a great opportunity for students studying peace and conflict resolution to collaborate and network
with one another during the conference at the closing happy
hour at Guapo’s.
Keynote Speaker John Marks
speaks at the
ISL Conference
on Feb. 26th
(photo by
Courtney Hess).
Panels and Panelists
“Platforms for Peace: Innovations in News/Social Media”
Emily Jacobi, Co-Founder & Director, Digital Democracy
Jared Ford, Program Manager of the ICT team,
National Democratic Institute
Sean McDonald, U.S. Representative, Frontline SMS
“Media as an Advocacy Tool”
Kimberly Abbott, Communications Director for North America,
International Crisis Group
Price Floyd, Vice President for Digital Media Strategy, BAE Systems
Ronite Avni, Founder and Executive Director, Just Vision
Tyler Peterson, Site Manager PeaceMedia.usip.org, USIP
“Media as a Peacebuilding Tool”
Alicia Simoni, Editor and Community Manager, Peace X Peace
Stephen McInerney, Executive Director,
Project on Middle East Democracy
Alexis Toriello, Research Assistant, Salam Shabab Project, USIP
“On the Front Lines: Reporting from Conflict Zones”
Clothilde Le Coz, Washington Director, Reporters Without Borders
James Cullum, Freelance Reporter, currently covering Western Sahara
John Tanza, Co-host of Sudan in Focus, Voice of America
Tom Hundley, Senior Editor, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Film Screening
March 28, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Ward 2
featuring film maker Sandy Cioffi
Join SPCR, Peace and Empowerment Project, Student Peace
Alliance and SEPGA in viewing a documentary about the impact
of oil in the Niger Delta.
Affiliate
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Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace
Localizing
Peace Initiative
Next Islamic Lecture Series: April 13th, 2-4 pm
SIS Founders Room
panelists include: Todd Fine, Prof. Yvonne Haddad,
Amani Elkassabany, and Faiq Malik
This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the
first Arab-American novel, The Book of Khalid. Its author,
Ameen Rihani, tells the tale of two Arab boys in New York
City, weaving themes of immigration, religious and cultural
identity, and relations between the East and the West--all of
which hold significant relevance today. This panel brings
the year of 1911 to 2011, exploring how The Book of Khalid
and Ameen Rihani’s message of dialogue and coexistence
carry critical lessons for the 21st century and the particular
experiences of Muslim Americans today. How do Muslim
Americans define and express their religious and cultural
identity in the current political context? How does their
experience relate to the story of Ameen Rihani’s 19th-century characters? What can we learn about the rich American
tradition of immigration and coexistence, and the ways in
which Arab and Muslim Americans fit within?
Dialogue
Development
Group
The Localizing Peace Initiative has been designed to address the question of local peace in the Washington, D.C.
region by highlighting a wide range of vibrant but seldom
celebrated activities and by creating a platform for dialogue
about ways in which peace practices and ideas can become
more effectively localized in Washington and beyond. To advance discussion of local peace processes and invite dialogue
about the larger idea of “localizing peace,” the following
resources and materials have been assembled:
An academic paper presenting the “localizing peace” vision
An annotated bibliography on localizing peace
A localizing peace directory of local organizations
engaged in community-relevant peace work, with
contact information and brief overviews of relevant
activities.
Please visit the website at: www.american.edu/sis/ipcr/localizingpeace. If you are interested in getting involved or want
more information, please contact the Localizing Peace Initiative at tawhid@american.edu or 202.885.1632. Look for
upcoming spring event on strategizing for localizing peace!
Spring 2011 Topics
for more information visit:
www.american.edu/sis/ipcr/DDG.cfm
When Gender Identities and Power Converge: A Dialogue on Gender and Power
Between Clash and Coherence: Exploring Culture, Identity and Life in the US
A Meeting Point: Honest Conversations on Faiths and Secularism
Religion and Sexuality: Exploring the Divide
Black, Brown, Red, Yellow: A Dialogue for People of Color
Who, What, When, Where and White: Perspectives on Whiteness from Around the World
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SEPGA
Page 6
This school year has been quite active for SEPGA. They
helped to sponsor many great events over the Fall term, even
managing to get in the Washington Post. The Spring term has
been a little more quiet with SEPGA helping to co-sponsor the
Innovations in Student Leadership Conference, another edition
of Peace n’ Pizza and Targeting Iraq: Peacemaking and Development During War. They have one more big and exciting event
planned for this term, and they hope to have a large audience in
attendance to enjoy the discussion and food:
Eating Green: A Conversation about Food, Consumption, and Sustainability, April 22nd
An all day conference with morning sessions that will
explore theoretical responses to questions on sustainability, food, and ethics, including a panel discussion, a
poster session featuring student research, and a keynote
address from professor and author of The Philosophy of
Food, David Kaplan. In the afternoon, workshops will
provide participants with opportunities to translate
theoretical work into practical action.
For more information please contact sepga@american.edu
CPI
Creative
Peace
Initiatives
Creative Peace Initiatives is back in action this semester with
a number of projects and events. CPI is currently working,
in cooperation with the non-profit organization Visions to Peace,
on curriculum development for peace education workshops. The
workshops will focus on examining and redefining violence in the
community, as well as working together with the workshop participants to formulate community action projects. During the last week of March, they will also be hosting Captain Paul Chappell, a veteran of the Iraq War who now speaks out
against war and in favor of seeking peaceful alternatives. They are also planning a Peace Walk, which will commemorate
monuments and places in DC where moments in peace and social
justice history have occurred. The walk will take place April 16 at
12:00 pm. Other projects in progress include the development of a
peace garden, a film screening and an alumni networking
event. Stay tuned for more events coming up later in the semester!
For information please contact Kate Elci or
Maria Gahan at cpi@american.edu. American University Negotiation Project (AUNP) has
held seven events this semester and is scheduled to hold
several more before summer 2011 begins! AUNP is a forum for those interested in practicing and improving their
negotiation skills. They host skills workshops, simulations,
guest speakers, and other events centered on developing
these skills. They have been honored to host guests from
USIP, UNHCR, professors from AU and beyond. The
simulations they run cover diverse topics and formats,
such as bilateral, multi-party and mediated-style negotiations. The negotiations apply to a diverse array of settings
such as international relations, business, public policy,
non-profits and law. Each simulation is unique and previous knowledge is never necessary for participants.
Upcoming Events:
03.31 - The Althingi Affair: Negotiation Simulation on EU Fishing Rights (Written by AUNP
members Kate Blair and Johannes Langer)
04.07 - Salary Negotiation Simulation
04.15 - Water Security in the Nile River Basin,
Negotiation Simulation (Written by AUNP
president Trace Main)
04.15 - Lecture by Negotiation Professor Emeritus I. William Zartman
04.22 - Negotiation Clip Watch and Discussion
For more information please contact
aunegotiationproject@gmail.com
Ferdaouis Bagga and Johannes Langer, of AUNP, debrief the
Yako Aid Talks Negotiation Simulation
(photo courtesy of Ferdaouis Bagga).
Faculty PNews
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IPCR Faculty Hit
the Presses
Mokhtari, Shadi. 2011.
After Abu Ghraib: Exploring Human Rights in
America and the Middle
East.
Co-winner of the 2010
American Political Science Association Human
Rights Section’s Best
Book Award.
IPCR Presented with
Medgar Evers Award
The IPCR Program was presented with the Medgar W.
Evers Award for Politics and Peace on March 16. This award is
given annually to individuals or organizations that have made
valuable contributions to politics and peace by the Walker
County Honorary Committee in Alabama. Committee
member Reverend David Lewis visited American University to
present this award to the IPCR Program.
The Walker County Honorary Committe was established in
1963 and now anually awards individuals and organizations
with seven awards named for heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. Past recipients of the Medgar Evers Award for Politics
and Peace include the United States Institute of Peace, the
Foundation for Middle East Peace, the Peace Corps, and the
International Association of Educators for World Peace.
Shepler, Susan. 2011.
“Transnational Fosterage:
The Novel Care Arrangements between Guinean
Caregivers and Ivorian and
Liberian Children Fleeing
War” in Everyday Ruptures:
Children, Youth, and Migration in Global Perspective. Cati Coe and Rachel
Reynolds, Eds. Vanderbilt
University Press.
F aculty T eas
March 30, 4 - 5 pm with Prof. Kwaku Nuamah
SIS 260
Implications of South Sudan for Africa’s Territorial Management
What do territorial disputes say about norms?
Why is Sudan different?
Join IPCR Professor Kwaku Nuamah for a discussion on
the implications of South Sudan’s secession from the North.
When the norm for the African Union has been to keep territories intact, why is the case of Sudan different? Will this
set a new precedent for handling future territorial disputes
on the continent?
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Students Create Group to Help Navigate Thesis Writing
Early in the Fall 2010 semester, a group of students, all on
the verge of diving into their master’s theses, decided it would
be beneficial if they dove in together.
Anat Ben Nun (MA/IPCR ’11), Amelia Frank-Vitale
(MA/EPGA ’11), Katie Lance-Parsoud (MA/IPCR ’11), and
Ovyind Ofstad (MA/IPCR ’11), have been meeting since
mid-September to support one another in the thesis writing
process. What started as a bi-weekly meeting has turned into a
weekly staple as the deadline nears.
The four thesis writers have found the collaboration and
support useful in navigating the often stressful process.
“The members of the group are all strongly motivated to
write good theses,” said Ofstad. “We knew early on that the
road towards this end goal is a bumpy one. In my view, that’s
why we came together.”
“I really appreciate the feedback on goals,” said Katie LanceParsoud. At the end of each meeting, the group members
share what they plan to accomplish by the next meeting. The
other members will provide honest feedback as to whether that
person is overreaching or not pushing hard enough.
The group members also benefited from advice and insights
from the other group members. It is not unusual for the group
members to pass along information about events or resources
that are relevant to another member’s research.
“I feel very involved with their process just as they are a
Members of the thesis writing group include (from left to right)
Katie Lance-Parsoud, Anat Ben Nun, Amelia Frank-Vitale and
Ovyind Ofstad (photo by Courtney Hess).
part of mine,” said Ben Nun.
Even though their theses are on very different topics, ranging from the whole of government response to statebuilding in
Afghanistan to the plight of migrant workers in Mexico, the
group member find sharing about the process beneficial.
“It is so helpful to have [the other group members] help you
take a step back when you are so entrenched in your work,”
said Frank-Vitale. “It helps to know that I’m not way off the
mark. It helps to know we are in this thing together.”
Student Presents Original Research at Notre Dame Conference
Simon presenting original research on post-apartheid South Africa (photo courtesy of Elli Simon).
Over the weekend of February 1113, Elli Simon (MA/IPCR ’12) participated in the Kellogg Institute’s Human
Development Conference at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend,
Indiana.
Simon, presenting on a panel on
“Development through Peacebuilding,”
discussed research she had conducted
while in South Africa. Her presentation, titled “Addressing the Emotional
Wounds of Apartheid: A Case Study on
the Institute for the Healing of Memories,” looked at one organizations efforts
to promote reconciliation on the long
road to peace in post-Apartheid South
Africa.
“Attending this conference was helpful in allowing me to practice present-
ing my research in a formal setting,
learning more about human development projects through other students’
presentations, and networking with the
other participants about our goals, our
plans, and our achievements thus far,”
said Simon.
Simon also appreciated the opportunity to network with students that had
similar interests and backgrounds and
share with them her experience in the
IPCR program.
“Many students that I spoke to
about what I’m studying, especially the
undergraduate students who are now
considering graduate school, were eager
to hear more about the IPCR program,
other opportunities within SIS, and the
many benefits of studying these issues.
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Aly Lyons
Aly Lyons (MA/IPCR ’10) began her
involvement with the Woodrow Wilson Center through an internship while
working on her master’s at AU. Uniting
her focus on post-conflict reconstruction
with her concentration in Africa, she was
intrigued by the idea of connecting top
and bottom levels of leadership in order to
promote more collaborative, cooperative
and whole-of government approaches to
post-conflict reconstruction. Such interests
were precisely in line with The Project on
Leadership and Building State Capacity at
the Wilson Center, where Lyons became
Program Assistant following her year-long
internship with the program.
In her current capacity, Lyons is responsible for grant-writing and reporting;
financial management of the program;
liaising between the Leadership Project and
its partners; guiding the development and
Daniel Tutt
execution of events tied to the Leadership
Project; and managing the program’s leadership training component in Liberia.
“IPCR equipped me with a different
mindset for thinking about conflict and
its prevention or reconstruction,” Lyons
said, pointing to addressing grievances in
post-conflict societies and inclusivity in
decision-making processes as important
elements that she had not previously considered.
For those currently in the IPCR program, she recommends that students take
advantage of the numerous opportunities
available in and around D.C. with organizations that work on peacebuilding and
conflict resolution. “It will help you get a
sense of what areas in conflict resolution
you want to focus on and provide experience, which is extremely valuable right
now in today’s job market,” she said.
Daniel Tutt (MA EPGA ’10) finds himself on
a daily basis applying critical thinking skills and
an expanded understanding of conflict and peace
in his position as Outreach Director for Unity
Productions Foundation.
Unity Productions Foundation is an independent media foundation dedicated to producing
high-quality documentary films, created with
the dual purpose of exciting and entertaining
large American public television audiences. As
Outreach Director, Tutt designs and implements
educational outreach programs in classrooms,
museums, community organizations and public
institutions to develop measurable social change.
He also represents the organization at national
and international conferences and speaks on issues
related to Islam in America, prejudice towards
Muslims, and interfaith dialogue.
Reflecting on the best way for current IPCR students to ingratiate themselves into
the job market, Tutt recommends, “…actively put yourself into the DC networking scene for whatever field you are looking to go into…Don’t be afraid to try out a
smaller start up organization for your first internship. Many people have the feeling
that they must go into big internships: on the Hill, with USIP, or World Bank, etc. I
have found that smaller NGO’s often offer a greater amount of autonomy and independence.”
ATTENTION
ALL ALUMNI
Have you recently landed a new job?
Participated in a conference?
Volunteered abroad?
We want to know!
To update us please e-mail:
peace@american.edu
Community
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Research Position
with Prof. Abu-Nimer
The volunteer research assistant will work on data collection
and analysis on a project related to peace education in Islamic
schools. The student will join an existing team of three practitioners who have already been conducting interviews and
surveys. The responsibilities are:
- Conduct literature review on the topic
- Participate in analyzing existing data
- Contribute to the writing process
The time commitment would be a few hours a week for three
months only (with possibilities to continue afterward).
Qualifications:
- experience with actual research process
- research methods class
- interest in peace education
If interested, email abunimer@american.edu.
IPCR Skills Institute
Program
Fall 2011 Schedule
SIS 639.001 Peace Education at Home and Abroad
Instructor: Steve Brion-Meisels
September 16 - 18
SIS 639.002 Qualitative Research Skills for PCR
Instructor: Amr Abdalla
Great for SRP
September 30 - October 2
writers!
SIS 639.003 Conflict Resolution Skills and
Processes
Instructor: Nike Carstarphen
October 7 - 9
SIS 639.004 Grant Writing and Proposal
Development
Instructor: Mathilda Harris
November 4 - 6
SIS 639.005 Effective NGO Activism
Instructor: Joe Eldridge
November 11 - 13
Register at my.american.edu
For more information please visit
www.american.edu/sis/ipcr/Skills-Institutes.cfm
Peacebuilding & Development Institute
Professional Training Program May 9 - 27, 2011
Earn credits this summer while networking with
development practitioners from around the world!
The Peacebuilding and Development Institute provides practical
opportunities for students to take week-long summer courses that
will complement their academic work in a variety of fields related to
peacebuilding and development. The Summer Professional Training
Program gives students the chance to learn alongside development
workers, government officials, and conflict resolution practitioners
from around the world. Students enroll in the summer training courses
to help fulfill graduation requires or to acquire professional skills. It
is one of the first practical training programs specifically designed
to bridge the fields of peacebuilding and development and to bring
development practitioners into the classroom to learn alongside and
network with students.
Summer Registration starts March 25th, so talk to you
advisor today about taking one of our innovative, practical
training courses this summer!
Week I: May 9-13
Religion & Culture in Conflict Resolution
Human Rights Advocacy & Peacebuilding
Linking Conflict, Aid & Development
Week II: May 16-20
Peace Education in Conflict Zones
Communication & Media for Peacebuilding
Program Design: Planning Projects for
Measurable Peacebuilding & Development Impact
Weekend Special: May 20 - 22
Inclusive Security: Expanding Participation of
Women in Peace Processes
Week III: May 23 - 27
Managing Humanitarian Operations in Conflict
Areas
Youth Participation in Peacebuilding
Monitoring & Evaluation as a Learning Discipline
For more information about the Peace & Development Institute’s
Professional Training Program, including a full list of courses for
Summer 2011, visit: http://www.american.edu/sis/pdi/index.cfm
Staff
IPCR After
Hours
P
11
Managing Editor
age
Rebecca Davis
Assistant Editor
Courtney Hess
Design Editor
Marlena Serviss
Contributing Writers
Rebecca Davis
Courtney Hess
Marlena Serviss
Elli Simon
(above) IPCR and EPGA students shared their talents at the
first annual IPCR Open Mic
Night (photos courtesty of Jackson
Howard).
www.american.edu/sis/ipcr
contact
Visit the IPCR website for
frequently updated:
• Jobs
• Internships
• IPCR related events
in the DC area
• Student organization Events and activities
• Conferences and
activities
Credits
page 3
www.unitedhumanrights.org
page 12
http://www.muzikreviewz.com/
sheet-music/
www.phoenix.fauster.com
(above) IPCR students
took on USFP students in
the second dodgeball death
match (photo courtesy of
Jackson Howard).
(right) IPCR and EPGA
students teamed up with
other SIS students for
an intermural basketball
team. (photos courtesy of
Kate Krumei).