March/April 2017 Updates and News!
March/April 2017
Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
NEWSLETTER
Dear Colleague:

I hope there is spring where you are!  In the DC area we've had spring in February and winter in mid March this year. Forsythia bloomed in February when temps were in the 70s, then died two weeks later with a 7 inch snow fall! And unfortunately, the cherry blossoms were also hurt by the changing weather.   In any case, spring is certainly here now!

Last week I was in Dallas, TX visiting Collin College and Richland College.  It was my first visit to Collin, where there is a new emphasis on international education, but my second to Richland, which has a vibrant peace studies effort and is the home of 27 peace polls! Before that I was in Florida with the Forage Center's 2017 Atlantic Promise Exercise. I've got upcoming visits to Kennesaw State University, Virginia Tech, Penn State, and a Minnesota road trip that will take me to St. Cloud State University, Winona State University, and North Hennepin Community College.   I'm also speaking at the Virginia Association of Financial Administrators Conference. 

A couple of major projects I am focusing on include developing training for local high school students on nonviolent civic action, an invitation only event entitled "Innovating in Challenging Times: Building an Infrastructure for Supporting Transformation Peace" in June, and promoting the work of the Forage Center, where I serve as president.

For faculty, many of you are just ending or about to start spring breaks.  I'm sure the break is well deserved. Enjoy!

I hope you find this newsletter helpful in your work!

Best regards, 

David J. Smith
March 29, 2017

PS: If you feel that you are receiving this newsletter in error, I apologize.   You can "unsubscribe" using the button at the bottom of the page. 
Are You Looking for an Experiential Learning Opportunity That Will Raise Your Awareness of Conflict and Working With Refugees?

The Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education, Inc. has for 16 years (through its predecessor groups) offered a multi-day simulation for those interested in experiencing what it would be like to work in a humanitarian crisis characterized by conflict and natural disaster.  If you are engaged in or teaching in fields where knowing about refugees, international law, conflict, global health, culture, militarization, disaster assistance,  team building, and group dynamics are important, than you might join us for the Atlantic Promise Field Exercise in Fellsmere, Florida. The Forage Center is currently considering offering the exercise November 2-5, 2017. This  is not your typical professional development activity! You would be joined by up to 30 professionals and graduate students, as well as 40 role players, where you will role play as a member of a non-governmental organization charged with responding to an international crisis. You will live like NGO workers for 4 days  - sleeping bags, austere conditions, and bland food.  This will be a learning experience that you will not soon forgot!  If you are interested, contact the Forage Center for more information. Read here about our recent March field program.

Registration Now Open for the 5th Annual National Community College Peacebuilding Seminar, October 20-23, 2017 

The  5th Annual National Community College Peacebuilding Seminar “Teaching About Global Conflict and Peacebuilding”  will be held October 20-23, 2017 at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, VA.   Attendance is limited to 40 . Registration closes 9/8.  The seminar is designed as an opportunity for educators interested in and working in community colleges to build capacity for teaching about conflict and peace-related issues. Faculty (full and part-time), administrators, and staff from community colleges are invited to attend.  In addition, educators and graduate students interested in community college work, are also invited to attend.   This is the only national educational program for community college professionals in Washington, DC that examines issues of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, international affairs, social justice, war, and violence.  Educators from all academic fields are invited.  In the past, educators from the social sciences, humanities, health sciences, business, arts, and natural and mathematical sciences have attended.  Internationals are welcome, however, they must pay the cost of attendance including all travel expenses and the registration fee of $300.  You can read about last year's seminar here.

Richard Solomon, the 3rd president of the U.S. Institute of Peace, passed away on March 13.  I was privileged to work at USIP during his tenure.  He was a personable leader and enthusiastic supporter of peacebuilding education efforts.   I fondly remember receiving notes and  comments from him supportive of my work.  He was particularly proud of the Peace Essay Contest at USIP.  Dick Solomon had a long and impactful career in promoting international diplomacy and peace. He will be missed.  Read USIP’s press release on Solomon and the Washington Post write up.
Peace Jobs: A Student's Guide to Starting a Career Working for Peace
  Peace Jobs was recently reviewed by the  Global Campaign for Peace Education. 

"Peace Jobs  is a book that peace educators have been waiting for. It captures the front edge of the field in its inclusive attention to differences of gender, sexuality, class, and race, and in its unpacking of peacebuilding as an expansive framework for education and career planning. The book will be of value to guidance counselors, career centers, academic advisors and mentors, peace teachers, and faculties planning the development or enhancement of programs of study." 
Information Age Publishing has recently reduced the price of Peace Jobs to make it more affordable to students.  It is now available for $33.99.  It can also be ordered in a  Kindle edition .   
Career Coaching

Are you looking to make a career change in 2017 and looking at the international education,  peacebuilding or conflict resolution fields?  I am career coaching younger and mid-career professionals who are looking to make change. 

"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."

                                                               -John F. Kennedy 
 
Upcoming Talks, Workshops, and Programs

Goucher College, Towson, MD, April 3, 2017

Kennesaw State University, Marietta, GA, April 7, 2017

St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, April 10, 2017

North Hennepin Community College, North Brooklyn Park, MN, April 11, 2017

Winona State University, Winona, MN, April 11, 2017

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 20-21, 2017

Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Conference, Virginia Beach, VA, April 24, 2017

State College Friends School, State College, PA, April 28, 2017

Penn State University, State College, PA, April 28, 2017

Rockville Human Rights Commission, Rockville, MD, April 29, 2017

Point of View Retreat Center (George Mason University), Lorton, VA          June 2-3, 2017

Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement Meeting, Baltimore, MD             June 8-10, 2017

George Mason University, Youth Summit, Fairfax, VA, July 20, 2017

5th Annual National Community College Peacebuilding Seminar, Northern Virginia Community College, October 20-23, 2017


Let me know if you are interested in a visit!

David J. Smith Consulting | [email protected]| http://davidjsmithconsulting.com