Atlanta Gives Peace a Home
AGSC, in partnership with the Atlanta Peace Initiative (API), coordinates the Atlanta Peace Education project.
The vision of API is for Atlanta to be the North American home for peace. To that end, and building on the city’s legacy of peace and the existing peace-focused nonprofits, API has been working with Rotary International and the Nobel Peace organizations, particularly the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, for Atlanta to create a well-articulated peace ecosystem in Atlanta.
The proposed components of this ecosystem and initiative of peace are:
- Atlanta's goal of hosting the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in 2022 and on a recurring basis thereafter (every three years).
- The launch of the official North American Nobel Peace Laureate office, which would give Nobel a permanent presence in Atlanta.
- Peace Education, coordinated by the AGSC, mobilizes an established network of faculty and research competence in peace-making and peace-building in Atlanta with an aim to establish Atlanta as a hub for Global and Intercultural Peace Studies.
To learn more:
Visit the API website, including video presentation, with introductions by Andrew Young, former UN Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor- Read two Saporta Report pieces "Atlanta pushes ahead with Nobel peace initiatives (9/12/2020)" and "Leaders aspire to make Atlanta a global hub for peace education (11/30/2020)"
- Read the Georgia Tech News Story: "Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College Faculty Lead in Effort to Build Regional Peace Education Ecosystem (11/20/20)"
- Join us for our "Atlanta Peace Education Talks" -- see below for further information and to register
More on the Atlanta Peace Education project
AGSC, in partnership with API, coordinates the Peace Education efforts. We convened University scholars and administrators through a series of meetings in Spring 2020 to introduce and discuss the project — currently 8 local Universities, public and private, are participating:
- Georgia Tech
- Georgia State University
- Emory University
- Morehouse College
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Agnes Scott College
- Interdenominational Theological Center
- Kennesaw State University
- Oglethorpe University - verbal interest
- University of Georgia - verbal interest
Peace Education Asset Mapping
Since July 2020, AGSC has been conducting an analysis of “Peace Assets” across Atlanta universities and non profit organizations. The "asset mapping" exercise is led by Kathleen Kurre, as our external consultant. In addition to an extensive data mining, this project has included interviews with over 30 local and national peace scholars across a range of disciplines from traditional “peace studies” and from the expanding definition of peace that includes equity, justice, human rights, leadership, environment, health, sustainability, and technology.
Initial conclusion emerging from the ongoing analysis is threefold. First, the Atlanta Universities have the foundational capacity to teach and create experiences that connect the ideals of peace into tangible concepts, tools, and skills. Second, the Atlanta Universities are positioned to lead the expanding vision of “Positive Peace” which connects to every aspect of our daily lives. Third, students across all the campuses have expressed their vision of being “global citizens” by bringing meaning and understanding to their life, communities and careers.
AGSC is also grateful for the staff support for the "peace education asset mapping" provided by the Georgia Tech's President's Office.
To learn more, join us for our "Atlanta Peace Education Talks" webinar series -- see below for further information and to register.
Atlanta Peace Education Talks webinar series
Atlanta Peace Education Talks webinar series
Fall 2021
Join us at the Peace History Society Virtual Conference 2021: Oct 21-23
to hear about he latest on the Atlanta Peace Education initiative!
THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER
7:00 PM WELCOME AND GREETINGS
- Dr. Robbie Lieberman, Kennesaw State University
- Dr. Kat Schwaig, Interim President, Kennesaw State University
- Dr. Charles Bryan Jenkins and Dr. Brian Cwiek, U.S. Department of Education
7:30 PM EVENING PROGRAM
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as the Roadmap for Peace and Prosperity for All: A Report on the Atlanta Peace Education Project
Convenor: Robbie Lieberman, Kennesaw State University
- Dr. Sebnem Ozkan, Atlanta Global Studies Center, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Kathleen Kurre, Fusion Advisors LLC
- Sam Konigsberg, Atlanta Peace Initiative
Registration gives you access to the film Sweet Home, Monteverde for a week prior to the conference, and the filmmakers will join us to talk about it on Friday evening. The film follows a group of Alabama pacifists who refused to be drafted to fight in Korea. Emigrating to Costa Rica (which had just abolished its army), they created a community that is still known for its environmental stewardship.
Midday dialogues Friday and Saturday feature members of the National Council of Elders in conversation with students from metro-Atlanta and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The midday dialogue on Friday with Aljosie Harding will also include Alexa Vaca and Quincy Jean-Louis.
The conference closes Saturday night with Instigating Peace: Mountainkeepers and Curious Minds. Join artist-instigators Paul Corbit Brown (photo journalist-environmentalist) and Sandra Agustín (choreographer and creative engagement specialist) as they share stories of environmental protection and the art of holding difficult conversations. Presentation and active engagement.
Spring 2021
The Spring 2021 "Future of Peace Education and Research" series will focus on Peace Engineering, Peace Industries & Innovation, and highlighting the Atlanta Peace Education Initiative partners' peace-related programs. This series is also part of the AGSC Collaboratorium.
March 2 | 9:30-11:00 a.m. EST
The New Field of Peace Engineering: Educational Opportunities and Research Themes
Speakers:
- General Phil Breedlove, Distinguished Professor and Center for European and Transatlantic Studies (CETS) Senior Fellow, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Tech; retired General of the U.S. Air Force; former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO [bio]
- Joseph B. Hughes, PhD., P.E., DEE, F.AEESP, University Distinguished Professor; Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, and Dean of Engineering, Emeritus at Drexel University; and former Karen and John Huff Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech [bio]
*This webinar is also presented as part of the AGSC Collaboratorium series.
April 8 | 9:30-11:00 a.m. EST
Promoting Peace through Education and Research
Join us for a conversation with scholars from the Kennesaw State University (KSU) on innovative curricula and emerging research agendas in 21st century peace studies
REGISTER HERE to receive the link for the virtual meeting
- Dr. Joseph Bock, Director, School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development, KSU
- Dr. Ziaul Haque, Limited-Term Assistant Professor of Peace Studies, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Department, KSU
- Dr. Robbie Lieberman, Coordinator of Peace Studies and Professor of American Studies, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, KSU
- Ms. Cathia Moon, Ph.D. student in International Conflict Management, KSU
*This webinar is also presented as part of the AGSC Collaboratorium series.
April 22 | 10:30 am -12 pm EST
Taking the Next Step in Advancing Atlanta Peace Education, Research Collaborations, and Careers of the Future
Registration is through the Annual Atlanta Global Studies Symposium registration. Program details with virtual meeting link will be sent to your email.
This roundtable, presented as part of the Annual Atlanta Global Studies Symposium, April 20-23, will feature experts and supporters of the developing Atlanta Peace Education and Research Initiative, charting the next steps for concrete collaboration around innovative curricula, research collaboration, and public-private sector partnerships that address SDG-16 "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions."
Topics of discussion include:
- Innovative curricular trends
- Student learning outcomes for peace education
Peace education, private sector careers, and professions of the future - SDG-16 research collaborations
Lifelong learning, executive education, and professional credentials
Speakers:
- Michael Best, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the School of Interactive Computing; Director of Research at Georgia Tech – Shenzhen
- Renee Bricker, Professor of History, University of North Georgia
- Christine S. Cozzens, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College; Charles A. Dana Professor of English, Agnes Scott College
- Yi Deng, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of North Georgia
- Robbie Lieberman, Coordinator of Peace Studies and Professor of American Studies, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kennesaw State University
- Michael Proulx, Associate Professor Ancient Mediterranean World, Department of History, Anthropology, & Philosophy, University of North Georgia
- Moderator: Anna Stenport, Professor of Global Studies, Chair of the School of Modern Languages; Founding Co-Director of the Atlanta Global Studies Center, Georgia Tech
Fall 2020
November 17 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST
Atlanta Peace Education Initiative: Asset mapping virtual update and next steps
Synopsis: We are excited to share the opportunities we have uncovered from our extensive three-month peace education market analysis and mapping exercise. Our presentation will cover:
- The Atlanta Peace Education Landscape: Foundations for Peace Education Innovation
- Examples of Innovation and Success from All Participating Institutions
- Next Steps: Partnering across universities, centers, disciplines, faculty, students, and community organizations
- How to Get Involved: Working Groups, Projects, and Timeline
- Q&A
Please join us and invite those in your network as our goal is to build a collaborative world class peace education ecosystem.
October 9 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST
Nobel Peace Prize Announcement & Commentary
- Welcoming remarks: Anna Westerstahl Stenport, Ph.D., Professor of Global Studies; Chair, School of Modern Languages; Founding co-Director, the Atlanta Global Studies Center, Georgia Tech
- Julia Irwin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, University of South Florida
Author of "Making the World Safe: The American Red Cross and a Nation's Humanitarian Awakening" - Marc-William Palen, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, University of Exeter
Author of "The 'Conspiracy' of Free Trade: The Anglo-American Struggle over Empire and Economic Globalisation, 1846-1896" - Moderator: David J. Snyder, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of History and Global Studies, University of South Carolina
Co-editor of "The Legacy of J. William Fulbright"
September 29 | 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. EST
Atlanta Gives Peace a Home: Atlanta Peace Initiative virtual stakeholder update
Synopsis: Progress updates as we move towards our goal of building a peace ecosystem with the following components:
- Host the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates
- Create the leading Peace Education platform
- Launch of the Nobel Peace Laureates office in Atlanta
Related events
Fall 2021
AGSC is proud to partner with Carolina International House at the University of South Carolina in Fall 2020 to offer additional opportunities to hear from esteemed colleagues and practitioners working on peace. We are grateful to Prof. David Snyder, Clinical Associate Professor of History and Global Studies, for opening up his class "HIST381: The Nobel Peace Prize - Peace, War, and Politics" to a wider audience and letting us join for the following sessions hosting distinguished guests:
October 27 | 10 a.m. EST
Olivia Wells from Nadia's Initiative in Iraq, founded by Nadia Murad, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Event link | Webinar recording
Novmber 10 | 10 a.m. EST
Asle Toje, Former Research Director, Norwegian Nobel Institute; Member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Event link
November 11 | 3 p.m. EST
The Inside Story of the Nobel Peace Prize, Geir Lundestad, Director Emeritus, Norwegian Nobel Institute
Event link