The city of Bradford is hosting a celebration of a programme that sees around 12 international peace fellows come from around the world to study at the University of Bradford every year.
The University of Bradford is one of only seven centres in the world for the Rotary World Peace Fellowship – a programme in which the next generation of diplomats and humanitarian leaders develop their skills through postgraduate study within the University’s internationally renowned Department of Peace Studies.
Launched in 2002, this Master’s course which incorporates a 12-week field study, is run in association with the Rotary International Foundation. It aims to develop the skills postgraduates need to work in fields that may help reduce the threat of war and violence in the world.
To enable students from around the world to study at the Rotary Centre in Bradford, the Rotary Foundation provides fully-funded scholarships including fees, living expenses and costs for conference visits and field experience placements. This year another 11 scholars have joined the programme at Bradford.
Fellows past and present will join distinguished academics and guests at the annual Paul Harris Peace Seminar at the University’s Norcroft Centre on Saturday 3 November 2007. The full day event will feature a keynote address by Dr Judy Mayotte,Visiting Professor at the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust, entitled ‘Halfway Along the Long Walk to Freedom: Building a Culture of Peace in the New South Africa’.
Professor Tom Woodhouse, Director of the Rotary Centre for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Bradford, said: "This is an exemplary and unique programme which the Department and the University is proud to be associated with.
"I think the Rotary World Peace Fellows programme is visionary and helps us to continue to work together to achieve the ultimate objective of the UN Charter: ‘to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war’."
CASE STUDY
Miho Kishitani
Rotary Peace Scholar
Graduated with MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, 2005
Miho is a country representative for the Non-Government Organization (NGO) PeaceWinds in Japan. She currently manages and co-ordinates reconstruction programs in Iraq focusing on education, social care, and health, water, and sanitation from her base in Amman.
Last year, the Institute for International Policy Studies presented Miho with the Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro Award of Excellence. The award honours significant achievements in political, economic, cultural, and scientific and technological fields. It also seeks to promote peace and prosperity in areas of conflict.
The award was named after the former prime minister of Japan and the institute’s current chair, who presented the honour, along with a prize of ¥1 million (US $8,500), during a ceremony held in June. By recognizing Kishitani, who was only 25 years old when she first went to Iraq, the institute hopes to inspire other young workers in non governmental organizations (NGOs)
26/10/07
