Africa: Women's Peacemakers Program

The Women Peacemakers Program
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego, California, USA
Fall Residency: September 14 – November 6, 2009

2009 Women PeaceMakers Program application period:
April 1 – June 1, 2009

Applicants are invited to participate in a residency program for women engaged in peacebuilding and human rights. The Women PeaceMakers Program at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) involves learning, teaching, and taking the time to narrate a personal, unique story of peacemaking. Along with scheduled time when the Woman PeaceMaker will work in small groups and/or one-on-one with her peace writer, there will be programs in which she will share with others her experiences from her respective country and conflict setting with others. She will learn from and explore new skills and ideas with fellow PeaceMakers. Through better understanding of individual human rights advocacy and peacebuilding work, the program seeks to build greater cross-cultural understanding, and to document the challenges and successes of women who have been involved in peacemaking efforts.
Those who are accepted into the Fall 2009 program will be expected to spend eight weeks at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) at the University of San Diego in San Diego, California. Over that time, their experiences will include the following:
• Collaborating with a Peace Writer and film team to document personal stories through writing, video, and audiotape.
• Sharing experiences of peacemaking and human rights advocacy with the IPJ community of students and faculty through small group discussions and “Conversations” with Women PeaceMakers that are open to the general public.
• Participating in “Bearing Exquisite Witness: Artistic Tributes to Women’s Struggles for Peace with Justice” September 24 – 26, 2009, a three day event featuring award-winning films, visual arts exhibits and live performances by nationally renowned playwrights and musicians.
• Learning and networking through roundtable discussions, Women PeaceMakers will meet with local and national women leaders involved in human rights, political action, and peacemaking efforts, forming networks and gaining resources to be called upon for international peacemaking and post-conflict planning processes.
• Renewing personal commitments to their work and taking time to reflect in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes new learning and an authentic exchange of ideas.
• Additional activities may include visiting local governmental and nongovernmental organizations, guest lectures, and other public engagements.

Program Cost & Fellowships
There is no cost for participation in the Women PeaceMakers Program. The program will provide fellowships to four qualified applicants. This funding is to be used for 1) local transportation (airfare to and from San Diego provided); 2) living expenses (other than housing, which is provided); 3) incidentals. The Women PeaceMakers Program encourages applicants to seek supplemental funding from local sources, although the funding provided by the IPJ for those selected will be sufficient for the full eight weeks.

Lodging
Housing will be provided at the Casa de la Paz, "The House of Peace," on the campus of the Institute for Peace & Justice, University of San Diego. The Casa de la Paz is a private residence adjacent to the Institute for Peace & Justice that overlooks Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Invited Women PeaceMakers will have the opportunity to rest and reflect in this beautiful, peaceful, and supportive setting.
Experiences during residency may include:

Documenting and Publishing Stories of Women PeaceMakers
It is important to document and make available the stories of Women PeaceMakers. It is essential that peacebuilding and human rights experiences and lessons learned be communicated to others. These documents and films (short videos, documentaries) will encourage women in other trying situations or future generations to become more engaged, giving them an opportunity to learn from the work of PeaceMakers engaged in creating a more just and peaceful society.
Each Woman PeaceMaker will work one-on-one with a Peace Writer and film team to document her personal story and involvement in peace efforts. These stories will be in written form and will include video recording and audio taping. PeaceMakers will spend the majority of their first month in residence working on the documentation of their story. The information will be published and archived by the IPJ.
To read previous PeaceMaker narratives please visit:
http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/women_narrative.html

“Conversations” with Women PeaceMakers and Forums
“Conversations” with Women PeaceMakers and Forums are open to the public to highlight the work of resident peacemakers and their personal experiences. Our visiting experts explore the intersection of conflict and gender and the challenges facing Women PeaceMakers. Specific topics may include:
• Their role as women in peacebuilding
• Involvement of women in official peacemaking processes generally
• Gender-mainstreaming for civil society development
• Developing support systems for women serving in leadership roles
• Identification of post-conflict issues that require women's input and participation
• Establishing unbiased legal or reconciliation processes
“Bearing Exquisite Witness: Artistic Tributes to Women’s Struggles for Peace with Justice” September 24 – 26, 2009
A three day event featuring award-winning films, visual arts exhibits and live performances by nationally renowned playwrights and musicians.

Women PeaceMakers' Roundtable Discussions
Participants will meet regularly to discuss their experiences. Through reflecting on her own practices and human rights work, each woman will give voice to her own view of peacemaking and help identify the themes that emerge from shared experiences. Together they will identify areas where more information or knowledge is needed to enable women to successfully collaborate and gain access to peacemaking processes.
Facilitated dialogues will encourage participants to explore, articulate, and document their own stories. Cultural, economic, and political factors shaping the lives of women who are engaged in work for a more peaceful, responsible community will be noted and their personal paths and recommendations recorded. The group discussion will be a source of support for each participant and a place to affirm the vision of a just peace through the work of Women PeaceMakers.

Additional Activities
Participants will be encouraged to network with other women and men working in the field. Meetings may be organized for Women PeaceMakers Program participants to visit women politicians and human rights advocates, resource centers for humanitarian action such as Survivors of Torture, media outlets, legal aid societies, and counseling centers for immigrant rights. San Diego city tours and other social opportunities will be extended as well.

Women PeaceMakers Application
Women PeaceMakers Program of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego, California, USA
Fall Residency: September 14 – November 6, 2009

How to apply to become a 2009 Woman PeaceMaker

In order for your application to be considered it must be post-marked on or before June 1, 2009 and received by June 4, 2009. Applicants selected for consideration will be notified by June 15, 2009; successful candidates will be notified by June 29, 2009. All applications must include:

1. The completed and signed 2009 Application Form. (2 page form included here)

2. A two-part statement in a maximum of 8 pages that explains your personal objectives and gives an outline of your story. This should include:

a. An explanation of why you are interested in participating in the 2009 Women PeaceMakers program. Incorporate your personal goals with your understanding of how this unique program can benefit your work. (no more than 4 pages)

b. A summary of your own peacemaking story. (no more than 4 pages)

Note: You may substitute a videotape (maximum of 10 minutes) in which you provide the information requested in a and b above.

3. A resume or curriculum vitae or a listing of your peacemaking and work activities and educational background. There are no educational requirements for this program, but we would like to know about your formal as well as informal education. (no more than 3 pages)

4. Two letters of reference with contact information should be provided in the 2009 Application Cover Form.

5. The completed and signed 2009 Women PeaceMakers Self-Assessment Health Form. (2-page form included here )

Mail completed application to:
Erika Lopez
Women PeaceMakers Program
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
USA
Fax: 1.619.260.7570
E-mail: [email][email protected]

If sending the application via email to [email][email protected] please fax a copy of the completed and signed
Self-Assessment Health Form and the 2009 Application Cover Form.
IMPORTANT: Your application will not be considered “complete” or reviewed until the signed health forms and cover application forms are received.

Please keep a photocopy of your completed application for your records.
We will not be able to send back any of the materials we receive.
Application Form
Women PeaceMakers Program of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
Fall Residency: September 14 – November 6, 2009

Date: _______________________________________

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
As printed in passport (Last) (First) (Other)

Date of Birth: ___________________________________________________________

Email Address: ____________

Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________
(Street) (Apt.)

__________________________________________________________________
(City) (State)

_________________________________________________________________
(Country) (Postal Code)

Phone: __ Fax:_________________________________

Organization Address: ________________________________________________________________
(Street) (Apt.)

__________________________________________________________________
(City) (State)

_________________________________________________________________
(Country) (Postal Code)

Phone: __ Fax:_________________________________

Have you ever had your story documented before? Please explain. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If accepted into the program you will be paired with a Peace Writer who will document your story in English. Are you willing to work with a Writer who may not be fluent in your native language? ______________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Do you have experience in inter-cultural communication? Please explain. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How many years of peace-making experience do you have? _______________________________________________________________________________________

--- Application Form: Page 2 ---
Please assess your competency in English, both written and verbal, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being highest): _______________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever shared an accommodation with a woman from a different region of the world than where you are from? Are you willing to share a two bedroom apartment with another PeaceMaker from a region of the world and cultural background other than your own?________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Do you hold a United States Social Security Number? If so, what is it? ___________________________

When was the last time you were in the United States; what type visa were you issued and what was the length of your stay?__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Please list your international travel (destinations, length of stays and purpose of travel) for the past five years: ______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Are you willing to share your story with a public audience and participate in all program-related activities, talks, forums and field trips? _____________________________________________________

Do you have any other travel planned during the dates of the Program (September 14 – November 6, 2009), if so where and when? _______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

How did you hear about the Women PeaceMakers Program? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Did you apply for this program in the past? _______________________________________________

Certification That My Answers Are True
My statements on this form and any of the attachments are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that falsification of any of my answers will lead to the rejection of my application or immediate dismissal from the program.

________________________ ______________________________________________
(Date) (Signature)

References
2 references are required. You MUST submit letters from each of the persons you list below.

Applicant Name: ____________________________________________________

Reference 1

Name: _____________________________________________________________________
(Last) (First)

Title and Organization: ______________________________________________________________

In what capacity do you know the person providing your letter of reference?__________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________
(Street) (Apt.)

_____________________________________________________________________________
(City) (State)

_____________________________________________________________________________
(Country)

Phone: __ ___ Fax:_______________________________

Reference 2

Name: __________________________________________________________________________
(Last) (First)

Title and Organization: ____________________________________________________________

In what capacity do you know the person providing your letter of reference?________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address: ______________________

Mailing Address: _______ ______________________
(Street) (Apt.)

___________________________________________________________________________
(City) (State)

___________________________________________________________________________
(Country)

Phone: _ Fax:______________________________

Women PeaceMakers Program of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
Fall Residency: September 14 – November 6, 2009

SELF-ASSESSMENT HEALTH FORM

Name: ________________________________________________
(As printed in passport) Last First Other

Date of Birth: ___________________________________________________

When and for what reason did you last consult a physician? ______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What diseases, ailments or injuries have you had in the past five years? If any of these resulted in hospitalization, please give details as to when, why and the duration of the treatment. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is your current status with regard to the illness(es) / condition(s) above? ________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are you currently seeing a physician and/or undergoing treatment? If yes, please detail below.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What allergies do you have, if any? Are you currently undergoing treatment? Please detail. _____________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you are currently on any prescription medication other than oral contraception please write the names of the prescriptions in the follow space. ________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are there any foods or substances which, for medical or personal reasons, you do not eat? If so, please give details. ________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have difficulty walking 4 blocks on flat terrain without experiencing shortness of breath, leg, joint, muscle or chest pain? ____________________________________________________________________

Do you have difficulty climbing two flights of stairs while carrying groceries or other items? ______________

My statements on this health form and any of the attachments are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that if I am chosen as a 2009 Woman PeaceMaker at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice I am required to have this health form verified by a licensed physician who is familiar with my health history.

Signature of applicant: ____________________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________________