The Nobel Peace Prize Forum consortium sponsors a Peace Scholars program. Students from each of the five Norwegian Lutheran colleges that make up the consortium will be selected as scholars and awarded a seven-week educational experience in Oslo, Norway, designed to deepen their understanding of issues related to peace, justice, democracy, and human rights.
The program will be held from June 18-August 3, beginning in Lillehammer with a 5-day workshop together with students from the Balkan and Caucasus regions and the Middle East immediately prior to the ISS session. (Steinar Bryn from the Nansen Dialogue Network has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, 2010, and 2011). The program continues at the Oslo International Summer School where scholars will continue their peace studies and take an additional undergraduate course of their choice, offered at the ISS. The Peace Seminar provides a general introduction to the interdisciplinary field of peace and conflict studies, and combines theoretical and empirical aspects. It will broadly touch on topics related to the causes of conflict, resolving conflict and building peace, and aims to familiarize students with the history, central issues and theories regarding conflict, war and peace. The Peace Seminar course will include seminars, visits and introduction to the work of various peace organizations and institutions in Norway, such as The Nobel Institute, PRIO, Nobel Peace Center, and others, and a dialogue workshop with the Nansen Dialogue Network. During the seminar students will work on projects they will be asked to present at the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Forum and at least two other venues within the following year. Students will also give an oral presentation of their research topics at the end of the Seminar and will write a take-home examination. A scholarship covers all ISS program fees including academic credit, room, board, and airfare. The Oslo International Summer School offers many extracurricular activities, such as the International Cultural Evening, Norwegian Cultural Evening, local excursions to Vigeland Park, Oslo downtown, the Opera House, hiking nearby and much more. Each student will also have the opportunity for a weekend excursion to one of many areas in Norway.
The 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 1-3, 2012. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is a unique civic learning experience that brings Nobel Laureates, civic leaders, and scholars together with students and other citizens. As the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside of Norway, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum has a special mission: to inspire peacemaking by celebrating the work of Nobel Peace Prize winners. The event is open to the public and people of all ages are encouraged to attend. The Forum is coordinated by Augsburg College and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Registration will begin in December 2011.
