March 7 - 18, 2013
The URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies is offering this unique Nonviolence Training and Cultural Education opportunity to a limited number of students who wish to experience an ancient culture in the midst of resolving modern political conflict located in the heart of the Himalayan region of the world.
This is an alternative spring break community service learning study abroad program that combines an international nonviolence peace training partnership project with a rare cultural and educational travel experience. This tour is available to a limited number of students who wish to study the application of nonviolence and peace-building practices with members of Nepali human rights and peace activist organizations.
The 2013 travel itinerary described is subject to changes based on local conditions, as well as guidance and advise from our in-country partner organizations. The itinerary will vary somewhat, but the trip will remain a once-in-a-lifetime-experience!
Advisory: This is not a vacation style spring break trip. It is a community service oriented "alternative" spring break experience that allows a small number of students to accompany members of the URI Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies on one of their working nonviolence and peace training projects. The rare opportunity provided by this trip to engage in service learning while experiencing a completely different culture, in one of the world's most remote locations, while participating in nonviolent social transformation, is invaluable. Course credits are offered for all participants.
This unique international nonviolence and peace training program will take place in Nepal, which is located in the Himalayan mountain region in the heart of Asia, bordered by China and India. With eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, the dramatic differences in elevation found in Nepal result in a variety of biomes, from tropical savannas to coniferous forests and grasslands rich with rock and ice at the highest elevations. Kathmandu, the country's capital, is the urban hub of Nepal and is rich with World Heritage sites and other historical shrines and temples that attract visitors around the world.
Academics:
- Three (3) URI Credits - PSY 425: Peace Psychology or PSY 405: Psychological Anthropology
- Students will participate in a joint peace and nonviolence training program activities with Nepali students, community human rights activists, and NGO staff members studying conflict reconciliation and positive peace building methods. Students will interact with fellow Nepali trainees using Kingian nonviolence principles and practices. Visits to community-based social support programs. Cultural and educational excursions will enhance and supplement academic learning and interpersonal development throughout the journey. Daily discussion and reflection sessions. Relevant course readings before, during and post trip, and a summative reflective essay paper are required.
Housing and Dining:
While in Nepal, students will stay in double occupancy rooms in a standard hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on most days.
Cultural Activities:
Students will engage in cultural tours and excursions while in Nepal including:
- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Swayambhunath Buddhist Temple
- Historical Durbar Square World Heritage Site UNESCO
- Collective Campaign for Peace
- Center for Peace Development Studies at Tribhuvan University
- Human rights and peace activist NGOs
- Visits such as Maiti Nepal, Nepal Orphans Home, Aama ko Ghar Shelter
- Himalayan Mountain Range nature trek and wildlife viewing
Program Fee: $2,600 |
| 3 URI Credits | Round-trip airfare | Accomodation |
| Dining (most meals included) | Excursions, training and service activities | In-country transportation |
| Med-Ex Supplemental Insurance |
NOTE: All fees subject to change
Program Deadlines |
| Application Deadline: December 3, 2012 | Final Payment Due: February 1, 2013 |
Interested in finding out more on peace and human rights efforts in Nepal?
Visit the links below!
- COCAP
Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP) is a national network of peace and human rights non-governmental organizations in Nepal. It started as a loose, informal forum in June 2001 and was registered with the government of Nepal as a nonprofit and non-political network in December 2002. Currently, COCAP has 44 member organizations. It has a secretariat in each of the five regional headquarters. It has a large number of volunteers who actively involve themselves in the various aspects of its works. COCAP aims to provide a common space for its members, volunteers and friends to collectively engage in the pursuit of peace, human rights and justice in Nepal. It organizes national/regional level campaigns and programs on the issues of conflict transformation and peace building, transitional justice and social security/protection in coordination with its member organizations and other like-minded organizations. http://www.cocap.org.np/
- Conflict, Peace and Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Tribhuvan University (TU) designed Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (CPDS)
as a multidisciplinary graduate program that draws on key insights and strengths from
several disciplines in social sciences, humanities, and environmental sciences to
provide a comprehensive understanding of conflict, peace, and development. Through a
rigorous program of study program CPDS strives to impart theoretical, methodological,
and practical set of knowledge and skills that will equip the graduates to function in
various leadership roles in conflict mediation, negotiation, and peace building at local,
national, and international level. As a new center dedicated to teaching and research,
CPDS is emerging as an international forum for academics, professional, and
practitioners working in the field of conflict, security, and peace.
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MAITI Nepal was born out of a crusade to protect Nepali girls and women from crimes
like domestic violence, trafficking for flesh trade, child prostitution, child labor and various forms of exploitation and torture. A group of socially committed professionals like teachers, journalists and social workers together formed Maiti Nepal in 1993 to fight against all the social evils inflicted upon our female populace. Most of all, its special focus has always been on preventing trafficking for forced prostitution, and rescuing and rehabilitating victims. Listen to founder and director of Maiti Nepal, anti-human trafficking campaigner, Anuradha Koirala, honored as the CNN Hero of the Year, speaking about how her organisation is rescuing and rehabilitating women and children sold in to slavery or exploitation in Nepal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoH8_EH6WMI&feature=related
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Aama ko Ghar is a shelter for elderly women, was established by Mrs. Dil Shova Shrestha in 1998 at her own home at Soaltee Mode, Rabi Bhawan. Her objective was to offer them shelter and protection. In due course of time, as the number of elderly women increased substantially, Mrs. Shrestha registered her home as an Old Age Management Social Welfare Trust (OAMSWT) in the year 2000. She started off by taking care of elderly women and although the organization is officially registered as a home for old age, Dil Shova has started taking in abandoned children as well. As of today, Shrestha is sheltering 86 people, including the elderly and child victims of war from Karnali. Her responsibilities include feeding them, doing their laundry, looking after their basic needs, doctor visits, etc. She does everything in her capacity to ease their lives. Most of the women, who had been in pitiful conditions, were rescued by Mrs. Shrestha herself and have now found a safe haven at Aama ko Ghar.
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Nepal Orphans Home attends to the welfare of children in Nepal who are orphaned, abandoned, sold into slavery, or not supported by their parents. Papa’s House provides for the children’s basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing, as well as schooling and health care, and administers to their emotional needs with love and compassion. Papa’s House allows children to grow up in a nurturing environment. The mission of Nepal Orphans Home is not just to rescue children from abject poverty, but to enable the children to develop and realize their potentials. Currently NOH operates four homes in Dhapasi, including Papa’s Sambhav (Possibilities) House for boys, all within a short walking distance of each other. Over half of the 130 children now provided for in Papa’s Houses are rescued kamlari girls.
For more information, please contact:
| Program Director | URI Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator |
| Paul Bueno de Mesquita | Kelly Watts |
| Nonviolence and Peace Studies | Office of International Education |
| 401-874-9037 | 401-874-2019 |
| pauldem@uri.edu | spoie@etal.uri.edu |
URI Faculty-Led Summer Programs Brochure
