Peace and Justice Initiative Brochure

PEACE AND JUSTICE INITIATIVE All People, All Voices, All Matter.

valenciacollege.edu/pji

WHO WE ARE The Peace and Justice Initiative at Valencia College promotes peace and justice for all. Our aim is to nurture an inclusive, caring and respectful environment on campus and within our community—one where conflict leads to growth and transformation, rather than violence or aggression.

WHAT WE DO • Teach a Peace and Justice Studies curriculum at Valencia. This is unique for a community college, since peace studies are typically taught at the Ph.D. level.

• Work with Associate in Science (A.S.) programs at Valencia, including criminal justice and nursing, to integrate peace studies into their curriculum, ultimately affecting the way people in these industries will handle conflict in their work.

• Promote peace and justice events and activities through sponsorships and collaborations with community and student groups.

• Facilitate conversations about peace, conflict resolution, human rights and tolerance for others.

• Host nationally known experts in peace and justice studies as speakers and scholars in residence.

• Provide community service and outreach.

• Provide students with hands-on experiences such as internships and service-learning opportunities to give practical meaning to the theories of peace building.

WHY IT MATTERS Studying peace benefits all of us—it leads to better people and better societies. It provides a new approach and philosophy toward conflict resolution.

It allows people to make a difference by “being the peace” in their own relationships, their neighborhood, the college campus, and even the world.

Peace and Justice Studies is also an excellent foundation for students interested in a broad spectrum of careers, including but not limited to: education, law enforcement, social services, community organizations, the Peace Corps, the U.S. Department of State and non-government organizations.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Take Courses at Valencia •P AX 1000: Introduction to Peace Studies This course studies peace in its philosophical, religious, literary, historical and other cultural contexts. It investigates the causes of violence on the global and personal levels. There is an emphasis on the interdisciplinary study of peace and the peace movement in historical and contemporary views.

It also teaches the application of conflict resolution, nonviolence, and other practices necessary to become more powerful and peaceful members of our world.

•S LS 2940: Service Learning This is a planned service-learning experience that focuses on three hallmarks: service, leadership and scholarship. This course provides students with faculty-directed practical service experiences in the Peace and Justice Initiative.

Do an Internship Earn college credit while gaining hands-on, practical experience in peace and justice. We can always use current students to assist in our work by interning within the Peace and Justice Initiative office on Valencia’s East Campus.

Partner With Us If you represent a campus or community group focused on faith-based, social justice or global concerns, we’d love to partner with you for upcoming events or service. Please contact us to discuss opportunities.

If you’re interested in providing financial support to the Peace and Justice Initiative, you may make a donation through Valencia Foundation at donate.valencia.org.

Attend our Guest Speaker Series We bring some of the nation’s most recognized authorities on peace studies to Valencia as speakers and scholars in residence.

Past experts include: •D r. Michael Nagler – Founder, The Metta Center for Nonviolence; Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley

Participate in our Events Keep an eye out on our website and Facebook page for upcoming events, including: • International Peace Day Celebration •B i-annual service projects at the Coalition for the Homeless • Bi-annual Peace Breakfast

•D r. George Lopez – Professor at Notre Dame University, The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies; Consultant to the United Nations and the U.S. Department of State

•W orld Café Conversations on the 13 “Principles for How We Treat Each Other,” which guide the PJI’s work

•A gnes Fallah Kamara-Umunna – Author, “And Still Peace Did Not Come: A Memoir of Reconciliation”

•M ovie screenings, including films from the Global Peace Film Festival, which we sponsor yearly

•D r. Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah – Consultant to the United Nations and founding member of the Arab Council for Conflict Resolution

• Reading circles • Workshops

BE A PART OF THE PEACE AND JUSTICE INITIATIVE. Visit us online to learn more, stay posted on upcoming events and find out how you can make a difference.

facebook.com/valenciapeaceandjustice

valenciacollege.edu/pji Š 2012 Valencia College | AMN072512-02