Davis Projects for Peace
Overview
Davis Projects for Peace is open to
all undergraduates at the 76 institutions
(including UNC-Chapel Hill) that are
part of the Davis United World College
Scholars Program. Students are invited
to design grassroots projects that they
will implement during the summer. The
100 projects judged to be the most promising
and feasible will be funded at $10,000
each.
The program is made possible by Kathryn
Wasserman Davis, an accomplished internationalist
and philanthropist, who celebrated her
100th birthday in 2007 by committing
$1 million for 100 Projects for Peace.
She was so pleased with the outcome
that she has continued funding these
projects.
Submission Guidelines
Each participating institution is charged with selecting and submitting one proposal for funding along with up to two additional proposals to be considered. At UNC-Chapel Hill, the Carolina Center for Public Service oversees the selection process.
To be considered, an undergraduate student (or group of students) must prepare an online application which:
- describes the project (who, what, where) and how it will promote peace,
-
includes expected outcomes,
-
a realistic budget, and
-
describes prospects for future impact.
2011-2012 Timeline
November 17 - Applications available
January 16 - Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
February 7 - Final selection
Applications closed.
Awardees
2012: Amna Baloch, Sarah Mohamed and Morgan Smallwood:
Zenica Peace Alliance
Zenica Peace Alliance is a diversity program for youth in Bosnia, where the scars from an ethnic war continue to divide the nation. This project will involve a summer camp for youth, providing opportunities for diversity education and relationship building in an area of ethnic and religious conflict. The Zenica Peace Alliance aims to provide a safe space for youth to develop skills, allowing them to become models of peace within their community.
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2011: Yu Zhou: Young Scholars International
Young Scholars International facilitates cross-cultural communication through academic conversations. During the summer of 2011, Yu and 14 UNC students conducted seminars on a variety of disciplines at high schools and universities in Beijing and Tianjin, China. The seminars were designed to introduce Chinese high school students to a range of academic disciplines, help participants recognize a common humanity among people with differences, and to foster critical understanding in establishing healthy relationships among Chinese and Western cultures.
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2010: Brendan Yorke:
Postcards for Progress
Website:
http://postcards4progress.com
Postcards for Progress uses the arts to connect youth separated by cultural differences. In 2010, 16 UNC students traveled to various countries where they implemented exchanges between the youth of those countries. Middle school students exchanged 5x7 paintings, letters and other art pieces. A website gallery and discussion forum promoted continued dialogue between participants. Postcards for Progress continues to help youth learn how to interact with culturally diverse peers both across the world and in their own classroom. Postcards for Progress is rooted in the campus community with integration of Carolina Navigators and other campus organizations.
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2009: David Baron:
Hope Gardens
Website:
http://www.nchopegardens.com
HOPE Gardens is a hybrid urban farm and community garden that aims to reestablish homeless participants as independent, productive citizens and as contenders in the job market while also engaging and feeding the broader community. In 2009 HOPE (Homeless Outreach Poverty Eradication), a committee of the Campus Y, focused on establishing the garden’s physical space. On a given workday, up to 60 volunteers, homeless participants and community members worked to install a deer fence, gates, and a multi-component composting and vermicomposting system. They also planted an orchard with 40 fruit bearing trees and plants. Today, the garden serves as a community space and outreach center, focusing on open events, transitional programs and community gardening. Students, homeless participants and other community members continue to work side by side; relationships keep the garden growing strong.
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2008: Emma Lawrence, Lauren Slive and Elliot Miller:
Project HEAL
Website:
http://campus-y.unc.edu/project-heal
Project Heal's overarching mission is to engage undergraduate students in international service experiences to facilitate culturally relevant and locally-driven sustainable health development in Lawra and Kumasi, Ghana. During the summer of 2008, nine UNC students collaborated with Lawra District health officials to construct a children’s library and medical resource center at the Lawra District Hospital in rural Ghana. The Peace Library enhances Lawra District Hospital’s ability to provide a safe and supportive environment for breastfeeding, rehabilitation and educational workshops. Today, Project Heal continues as a committee of the UNC Campus Y, seeking to provide the fundamental knowledge, skills and supplies needed to prevent basic infections and related health problems.
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2007: Heather Aldersey:
Tous Ensemble! - Unite for Peace
During the summer of 2007, Tous Ensemble! worked to establish a sense of community belonging and understanding for often looked-down upon members of Congolese society (street children, teenaged mothers) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Heather, along with her international and Congolese partners, provided full-time housing, skills training, mentoring and micro-finance projects for 15 abandoned Congolese girls in Kinshasa. The project involved a three-and-a-half month skills-building period, culminating in a final theatre performance, fashion show and local cuisine sampler dinner.
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For further information, check out
the Davis
Projects for Peace web site. For
questions and/or technical assistance,
contact Jenny
Huq.
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