‘Think tank’ of regional peace scholars and students assemble
Peace studies and conflict resolution scholars and students from throughout Oregon and Washington came together on Jan. 28 for a daylong symposium hosted by the Peace and Conflict Studies Consortium (www.peaceandconflictconsortium.org) and held at the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College.
The symposium attracted 30 attendees, representing 10 institutions: Chemeketa Community College, George Fox University, Oregon State University, Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Wash.), Pacific University, Portland Community College, Portland State University, Shoreline Community College (Seattle), the University of San Diego, and Washington State University, Vancouver.
“What a fantastic turnout – combined with such enthusiasm,” said Rob Gould, president of PCSC and director of Portland State University’s graduate program in conflict resolution, who helped lead the day’s discussions.
“The goal of PCSC is to facilitate curriculum development, faculty support, research assistance, and resource development, all of which promote a culture of peace,” Gould said.
“Based on what I observed at the symposium, there seems to be a tremendous amount of interest in developing institutional partnerships, bolstering collaborations, and leveraging resources so that the peace and conflict resolution field grows and strengthens.
“I’m impressed by such unity and drive,” said Gould.
Over the course of the day, attendees discussed existing peace and conflict programs at local institutions, curriculum development, research under way, institutional challenges and opportunities, career paths and professional development for graduates, and next steps for the consortium to take. Of priority is the further development of the PCSC Web site, to serve as a resource directory for scholars, practitioners and recent graduates. Also discussed was the future establishment of an annual event that offers a presentation by a well-known speaker in the peace and conflict resolution field.
The event was one of the non-profit organization’s first since re-assembling last spring after being dormant since 2006. Led by peace studies and conflict resolution leaders at George Fox University, Portland Community College and Portland State University, PCSC nurtures a transdisciplinary approach to peace education and conflict resolution through collaboration among regional institutions.
“I was inspired to hear what my colleagues are doing in peace studies and conflict resolution, both within their institutions and in their local communities,” said Clint Baldwin, an at-large member of the PCSC executive committee and the director of George Fox University’s Center for Peace and Justice and Center for Global Studies. “There is a lot of momentum I think we can build on,” he said.
Added Roberta Hunte, PCSC’s treasurer and an instructor at Portland State University and Portland Community College, “The feedback and energy we received from the day was incredibly rewarding and helpful. And we saw a lot of new faces – new friends and colleagues to partner with and make progress with.
