Author: Marisol Moran

Creating a Broader Impact: MIIS’s Summer Peacebuilding Program

Marisol Moran Conflict Resolution, MIIS Update, Summer Programs

2015 is the inaugural year for the Middlebury Institute’s newest opportunity for professional and academic advancement, the Summer Peacebuilding Program (SPP). It is set to begin July 27 with a total number of 17 participants. The first cohort represents a varied background, from activists to students and entrepreneurs.

The program is set to run for three weeks and focus on bridging theory and practice regarding effective methodologies for facilitating peace in zones of conflict. Offered through the Center of Conflict Studies, SPP offers a fantastic opportunity to work with specialists and practitioners who have dedicated time to resolving some of world’s most pressing security issues. In its inaugural year, SPP participants will have the opportunity to utilize their newly found knowledge within the local community in Watsonville, CA.

For more information, please visit the Summer Peacebuilding Program website.

20 Participants from Across the World Complete DPMI D.C.

Marisol Moran DPMI, MIIS Update

DPMI DC 2015

20 students and professionals from all parts of the globe gathered in Washington D.C. to attend a three- week intensive training program on the best practices for development. With such a diverse group, representing 13 different languages and cultures, discussions were rich and ideas flowed freely.

Throughout the duration of the program, participants were able to take advantage of their location and visit organizations such as the Institute of Peace and the World Bank. Case studies from Haiti, Zimbabwe and Nepal were also utilized to highlight opportunities for design and innovation. The most fascinating component for many participants was the opportunity to employ the skills they were learning, such as empathy mapping and social marketing campaigns.

Further delving into development  and innovation, the participants recreated the dynamic of  partnering diverse organizations to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. In this simulation, groups were created representing different organizations, who then sent representatives to facilitate partnership agreements. Through the creation of these groups and partnerships, the D.C. cohort was able to conduct significant research both on the organizations and issues at hand. The end result was a combination of very realistic  partnerships and innovative projects.

The DPMI D.C. cohort cannot wait to utilize their newly found skills in the field.