Peace Prize Forum Scholar Program


Concordia College Peace Prize Forum Scholar

Six colleges founded by Norwegian-American immigrants in the 19th century sponsor an annual summer Peace Scholars program in Norway, designed to deepen students' understanding of the central issues and theories regarding conflict, war and peace.  Through an application and interview process, two students from Augsburg, Augustana (Sioux Falls), Concordia (Moorhead), Luther, Pacific Lutheran, and St. Olaf College are selected as Peace Scholars and awarded a seven-week academic experience (with academic credit) held in Lillehammer and Oslo, Norway.

THE 2013 SCHOLAR PROGRAM

·         Scholars will be named by February 15 and introduced at the March 8-10, 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Forum, which will be held in Minneapolis on the campuses of Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota West Bank. 

·         The program will be held June 17 – August 2, 2013 at the University of Oslo’s International Summer School (ISS). It will consist of a credit seminar for the Peace Prize Forum scholars (see reverse), plus one credit course of his/her own choosing from the undergraduate courses offered at the ISS (see www.uio.no/iss/academics). 

·         The Peace Prize Forum Seminar will provide a general introduction to peace and conflict studies and to the work of peace organizations and institutions in Norway, including the International Peace Research Institute, the Nobel Institute, the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, the Nobel Peace Center, and the Nansen Dialogue Network.

·         During the seminar students will work on projects they will be asked to present at the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Forum and at least two other venues on their home campus or in their community.  They will also be expected to blog throughout time in Norway (at least once a week) and agree to use of blogs and pictures for further promotion of the program.

·         Upon returning to their respective campuses, the scholars will continue to communicate and find ways to build on the Oslo experience together.  They will also be expected to play a leadership role in peace activities on their campuses, and assist with promoting the upcoming Nobel Peace Prize Forum.

·         The cost of the program, approximately $5,500, will be covered by each respective college.  That amount covers all ISS program fees including academic credit, room, board, and round-trip airfare from the U.S. to Oslo. Students will pay $500 toward their travel needs and will be responsible for personal expenses and purchasing their own books.

Criteria and Application

·         Open to full-time sophomore or junior students;

·         Strong academic record with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (include unofficial copy of the transcript)

·         Two letters of recommendation - one from a faculty member and the second from either a faculty or staff member;

       1,000 word essay (maximum) addressed to the Peace Scholars Selection Committee, articulating your interest in being a Peace Scholar, including how the experience would connect with your academic and vocational interests and goals. 
Guidelines for Peace Prize Scholars Essay

·         Resume;

·         Applicants must commit to the full program dates:  June 17 to August 3, 2013 and must be able to attend a significant portion of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Forum (March 8-10) and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Forum.

Selection Process

Application materials should be directed to Dr. Milda Halvorson (mhalvors@cord.edu), Program Director for Scandinavian Studies, and are due by January 31, 2013.  A selection committee will review all applications and interview the finalists.  For more information, please visit the official Nobel Peace Prize Forum website http://nobelpeaceprizeforum.org and Peace Scholars information page http://peacescholars.wordpress.com

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