Peace Scholars Program Peace Scholars Chairman Chet Szerlag - Woodridge 773-702-3311 ctszerlag@aol.com CALL FOR CLUB PROGRAMS ON PEACE SCHOLARS. Downloads: Peace Scholar Fact Sheet (pdf) FY 08 Peace Scholars Program Rachel Davidson FY 07 Peace Scholars program Laura Graham Ms. Laura Graham holding scissors Chet Szerlag is pleased to report that the District’s Peace Scholars committee has nominated Ms. Laura Graham for consideration by Rotary International as a Peace Scholar for FY 07. Laura is sponsored by the members of the Oak Park/River Forest Rotary club. Laura grew up in River Forest, Illinois and is a 2003 graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. Laura just completed a two-year tour of duty with the Peace Corps, serving in Honduras. While in Honduras Laura worked in a rural school district where she led the fund raising and supervision of an infrastructure improvement project at a rural school that included the construction of new facilities and recreational equipment.   While in country, Laura also worked on numerous public health initiatives including the coordination of the World Food Programme’s Nutrition Center for malnourished children, where one of her key challenges and achievements was to expand the program to include an internship program for high school students, educational components such as nutrition workshops for mothers, cooking classes using local foods, and frequent house visits. In this way, parents were educated to make lifestyle changes to improve the health of their families in an inexpensive and culturally appropriate manner.  Using similar strategies to educate people to improve their lives, Laura also organized and facilitated numerous workshops on HIV and AIDS education in support of a federally sponsored initiative to slow the spread of HIV in the nation (Honduras) with the highest AIDS rates in Central America. As a Peace Corps volunteer, she also worked on various educational initiatives, including the instruction of comprehensive Life Planning Skills courses in two rural elementary schools where she collaborated with teachers on the inclusion of nonformal educational techniques in school curriculum. In isolated rural areas she supported vaccination campaigns and medical outreach campaigns with local health workers to allow greater access to healthcare in communities lacking health services.  Laura’s decision to join the Peace Corps upon completion of her undergraduate college studies was greatly influenced by that organization’s dedication to world peace through service in developing nations. The Peace Corps assists impoverished countries with implementing sustainable projects and through such projects, promote peace and understanding between different cultures. The Peace Corps’s dedication to the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace closely mirrors objectives of Rotary International --- as both embody the ideal of service through collaborative international service projects.  Laura’s present career focus is in working with developmental agencies in Latin America that emphasize increased educational opportunities for youth, and to promote and create alternative educational programs in Latin America that can be replicated  throughout the region and thus achieve sustainability. Laura’s longer term aspirations are to become involved with global development initiatives with organizations such as the United Nations, and its Division for Sustainable Development. FY 06 Peace Scholars Program David McGuire FY 05 Peace Scholars Program Scott Lang Call for Peace Scholar Nominations   Class #6 (2007 -2009 academic year) District 6450 Fact Sheet    Overview The Peace Scholars Program promotes Rotary`s goal of world peace, goodwill, and understanding.  The Peace Scholars program is an educational program offered by the Rotary Foundation, and involves study at one of the designated Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. The Peace Scholars program fosters peace by building understanding through person-to-person contact, friendship, study, and cross-cultural exchange. What is the objective of the program? The Rotary Foundation has partnered with eight leading universities around the world to establish the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. Each year, Rotary will select up to 70 scholars to study at one of seven Rotary Centers worldwide. The selected Rotary World Peace Scholars will begin two-year master`s-level degree programs in conflict resolution, peace studies, and international relations. Each Rotary district may nominate one candidate for the selection process. The inaugural class of Rotary World Peace Scholars graduated in 2004. Who can apply - General Eligibility Criteria Applications must be made through a Rotary club and District in the area of the applicant`s legal or permanent residence or place of full-time study or employment. Persons with disabilities, as well as  members of Rotaract clubs are eligible and encouraged to apply.  However, Rotarians are not eligible to apply, nor are their families (spouses and lineal relationships - parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren). Applicants must: Hold an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university or its international equivalent (based on a four-year curriculum); Have proficiency in a second language (including the language of the proposed host university; see University Partners for individual Rotary Center language requirements); Possess excellent leadership skills; Demonstrate a commitment to peace and international understanding through service, academic, or professional achievements; Hold citizenship in a country where there is a Rotary club. Where does a Peace Scholar study?   International Christian University                           – Tokyo, Japan Sciences Po                                                           – Paris France Universidad del Salvador                                        – Buenos Aires, Argentina University of Bradford                                           – West Yorkshire, England  University of Queensland                                       – Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Duke University                                                     – Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA University of North Carolina                                   - Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA University of California                                          – Berkeley, California USA   Note: American Peace Scholars will study at one of the five overseas Centers listed above.   When to apply?   District 6450 Application submission period:   April 1 – April 15       -  Club-endorsed applications submitted to District 6450                                        Scholarship Chair May - June                -  District Committee reviews applications & conducts interviews July 1                       -  District leadership submits recommendation to Rotary                                        International      Application Process and Eligibility – General Timeline   Club-endorsed applications should be submitted no later than April 15 to: Mr. Chet Szerlag Chair, Peace Scholars Program for Rotary District 6450 1251 Golf View Drive Woodridge, IL 60517 630-910-0597  evening 773-702-3311   days ctszerlag@aol.com Please refer to the following Rotary website link for more information and application forms:   http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/centers/applicant.html Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution Working Toward . . . Mediation, conflict resolution, and peace where there is war, understanding where there is disharmony, food security where there is hunger, health care where there is disease, education where there is illiteracy, conservation where there is environmental degradation, sustainable economic development where there is poverty. HOME  |  THE FOUNDATION  |  SITE INDEX  |  Updated March 4, 2008