Special issue of Peacebuilder features 12 international peacebuilding institutions led by 91��Ƶ-linked leaders

Lauren Jefferson — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:21:21 +0000

How can the peacebuilding philosophy shared and taught at 91��Ƶ’s (CJP) become more globally recognized?

How can CJP expand its impact in the world?

These simple, yet profound questions asked by e more than two years ago eventually led to the production of the.

This special edition explores the impact of initiatives that have emerged from 91��Ƶ’s .

The Paynes provided the funds for 91��Ƶ communications staff to travel around the world to learn about the successes and struggles of educational initiatives run by CJP-linked peacebuilders. Magazine founder and editor , who has since retired, was the primary writer, contributing most of the content after two mammoth journeys to three continents in the fall and winter of 2014-2015.

The ripple effects of these peacebuilding initiatives are nothing short of amazing, writes CJP Executive Director in .

“And yet many of them wrestle with the same issues we face at CJP. How can peacebuilding organizations be financially viable for the long term, while remaining accessible to all who wish to expand their peacebuilding knowledge and skills? How do these centers continue to engage with their alumni in ways that are mutually beneficial? The peacebuilding field – and the funders and advocates who want it to succeed – have much to learn from these stories.”

Mulanda Jimmy Juma (right), with Professor Carl Stauffer, survived a dangerous life journey before becoming executive director of the Africa Peacebuilding Institute.

The featured initiatives are:

– founded January 1996 – headquartered in London, serving churches throughout the United Kingdom;
– fall of 1996 – headquartered in Mozambique, mainly serving that country, yet also hosting participants from other Portuguese-speaking countries;
– 1998 – headquartered in Accra, Ghana, with staff working in 15 African countries;
– 1999-‘00 –headquartered in Hydrabad, India, but serving all of India, with a special focus on ethnic minority regions in the far northeast of India;
– 2000 – headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa (originally in Kitwe, Zambia), serving all of Africa, but particularly southern and eastern;
– 2000 – headquartered in Davao, Philippines, attracting participants widely, but especially serving southeast Asia;
The – summer of 2001 (ceased operation after 2013 summer session, due to decision by university administrators) – Washington D.C.;
– 2005 – headquartered in Peshawar, Pakistan, serving all of Pakistan, with a particular focus on the northwest region where violent conflicts have a regional impact extending into Afghanistan;
– 2007 – based in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzogovina (has not offered intensive trainings since 2012, but hopes are for resumption in 2016), serving post-Yugoslavia populations emerging from violent conflict;
– 2007 – headquartered in Suva, Fiji, but with wide focus on all South Pacific islands;
The enactment of scenarios is often part of the experiential training of peacebuilders, as seen at this 2013 session of the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute.
– 2008 (a sister group, the Korea Peacebuilding Institute, emerged in 2012) – headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, but with summer peacebuilding sessions that rotate among South Korea, Japan, China, and Mongolia;
– 2009 – in Winnipeg, Canada, attracting participants widely, but especially serving western Canada.

Additional articles feature lessons learned and implemented from of peacebuilding institute leaders and a thematic exploration of gleaned from the featured institutes.

The issues profiles many CJP alumni, whose professional information can be found on CJP’s .

Peacebuilding Program Dedicates New Learning Space

Jim Bishop — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Lynn Roth, executive director of 91��Ƶ’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, expresses gratitude for the spacious new CJP classroom and the significant contribution it is already making to the program. (Photo by Jim Bishop)

Amazing what acquiring some additional space can do to energize the learning process.

91��Ƶ’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) dedicated a state-of-the-art 1,274 square foot classroom carved out of space on ground floor of Hartzler Library in ceremonies held Tuesday afternoon, May 25.

The JAMAR classroom with adjoining kitchenette facilities was completed in time for the start of the 15th annual Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI), which began May 10.

What’s in a name?

The new JAMAR classroom name comes from the first letters of the first names of the primary donors and long-time CJP supporters James and Marian Payne of Richmond, Va. The Paynes, both 1958 91��Ƶ alumni, are retired educators and church workers.

The couple were founding donors of the CJP program that began in 1994-95 and contributed $100,000 towards the new classroom construction.

, CJP executive director.

“It is hard to imagine the transformation that has taken place in the corner of the library that previously had no windows and was divided into several smaller rooms and hallway,” said Lynn Roth, CJP executive director.

“Already this room has hosted students from throughout the world during the first two SPI sessions for peacebuilding education. This is only the beginning of hundreds who will be transformed through their educational experience in this room,” he added.

Paynes leaders among donors

Roth went on to express appreciation for the leadership that the Payne family has provided through contributions and support over the years.

“Your generous gifts for facilities, scholarships, program innovation and capacity building have been core to the tremendous growth that has made our program one of the premier peacebuilding programs in the world,” he told the Paynes, who were present for the dedication along with four of their five adult children.

Paynes’ dream of creating peace

Long-time CJP benefactors James and Marian Payne check out the new JAMAR classroom made possible by their support. (Photo by Jim Bishop)

In a response, Marian Payne said that she and James “have been blessed by our involvement in the CJP program and in the realization of our long-standing dream towards creating peace.

“My dream and vision of EMC, now 91��Ƶ, as a lighthouse on the hill for the world in its work for peace and justice is being fulfilled beyond what could have been originally dreamed. This day reveals its fruit,” Mrs. Payne added.

91��Ƶ President Loren Swartzendruber unveiled a recognition plaque in honor of the Payne family and led a responsive reading and dedication prayer.

Classroom well-equipped for instruction

Those at the dedication toured the new classroom and received a brief demonstration of the Smartboard and other technology that will allow new methods of teaching and student interaction.

Ryan Beuthin, a master’s student in the CJP program, demonstrates the broad instructional capabilities of the Smartboard to persons gathered in the new classroom. (Photo by Jim Bishop)

91��Ƶ CJP

91��Ƶ’s Conflict Transformation Program has seen more than 330 students finish its graduate program and 2,200 attend classes at its Summer Peacebuilding Institute.

Alumni from these programs work in significant peacebuilding roles in over 120 countries.Their successes have caused 91��Ƶ to be known as one of the top peace universities in the world.

Read Peacebuilder, CJP’s alumni magazine.

James and Marian Payne Archives - 91����Ƶ News

Special issue of Peacebuilder features 12 international peacebuilding institutions led by 91����Ƶ-linked leaders