Antioch University Seattle Awarded $2,000 from the United States Institute of Peace to Support Public Education for Peacebuilding
Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) October 04, 2013 -- Antioch University Seattle (AUS) has received $2,000 in funding support from the Public Education for Peacebuilding Support initiative of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The support will enable AUS to offer a course and speaker series that enhance participants’ understanding of International Humanitarian Law across the spectrum of armed conflict. Participants will be better equipped to actively engage preventions of violent conflict through public information, advocacy, direct service, and humanitarian assistance.
“We are deeply grateful to the United States Institute of Peace for funding such a worthy cause and the American Red Cross Western Washington Chapters for partnering with us,” said AUS President, Dr. Brian Baird. “In the midst of headlines about Syria and other global conflicts, the interest in International Humanitarian Law has never been greater. The course and speaker series will inform how we can participate in efforts to prevent violent conflict, which goes to the heart of Antioch University’s commitment to social justice and the common good.”
“USIP is pleased to support organizations like Antioch University Seattle and their contribution to the national conversation around international conflict – and methods for resolving those conflicts nonviolently,” commented USIP President Jim Marshall.
The United States Institute of Peace is the independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence. USIP works to save lives, increase the government’s ability to deal with conflicts before they escalate, reduce government costs, and enhance national security. USIP is headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in Baghdad, Iraq, and Kabul, Afghanistan.
As part of its congressional mandate, USIP devotes a portion of its budget to support organizations that will advance the field of conflict management by developing new techniques, establishing best practices, and professionalizing the field through education and training. The Public Education for Peacebuilding Support is a program of USIP administered by the Institute of International Education.
The public seminar series will explore dimensions of International Humanitarian Law through the perspectives of various speakers at work in its training, enforcement, analysis, and implementation. The course will also use complementary training materials about the Geneva Convention developed by the Red Cross and other resources addressing refugees and resettling, issues of veterans and prisoners of war, pre- and post- armed conflict, treaty violations, peace and reconciliation activities.
Speakers include Lt. Col. Lanny Acosta, Jr. Chief and JAG Officer, Joint Base Lewis McChord who will give an introduction to the law of armed conflict; The Honorable Dr. Brian Baird who will address a Congressional reaction to the Goldstone Report on the 2009 invasion of Gaza; Dr. Frederick Lorenz of University of Washington who will speak on justice and the international criminal court; and Ann Lewis, President of Cascade Global Consulting, about dealing with violations in the DR Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The series begins Thursday, October 10 and run through Thursday, December 19. Interested participants may register for the Education in International Humanitarian Law course, audit the course for a certificate or Clock Hours, or attend just the speaker section of the evenings (5:30 – 6:30 p.m.). For more information on registering, auditing, or attending, please go to http:/http://www.antiochseattle.edu/aus-academic-adventure/humanitarian-law-series/
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If you’d like more information about this topic, please call Sarah Guthrie at 206-268-4132 or email sguthrie(at)Antioch(dot)edu.
About Antioch University
Inspired by the work of pioneering educator Horace Mann, Antioch University provides learner-centered education to empower students with the knowledge and skills to lead meaningful lives and to advance social, economic, and environmental justice. With campuses in Seattle, Keene, New Hampshire, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Yellow Springs, Ohio, Antioch University is a bold and enduring source of innovation in higher education. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. http://www.AntiochSeattle.edu
Sarah Guthrie, Antioch University Seattle, http://antiochseattle.edu, +1 (206) 268-4132, [email protected]
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