They say that money can’t buy happiness, but what about peace? Would $10,000 do the job? Wes students can find out this summer by participating in 100 Projects for Peace, a selective program intended to spark initiatives for building prospects for peace around the world.
100 Projects for Peace is an opportunity for students at Davis United World College Scholars Program schools to design their own projects for peace that they will implement anywhere in the world over summer 2007. Kathryn Wasserman Davis, philanthropist and internationalist, is funding the program in honor of her 100th birthday. Through a competition on 76 campuses around the country, 100 projects will be chosen for funding at $10,000 each. All undergraduate students are invited to submit proposals, either as individuals or in groups. Seniors will implement their projects after graduation. While Davis funding per project is limited to $10,000, projects with larger budgets are welcome, as is co-funding from other sources (such as other philanthropists, a college or university, foundation, NGO/PVO or students’ own fundraising).
What exactly is a “project for peace?” Intentionally, no clear definition is offered, in an effort to encourage free reign of the imagination. The Davis Program wants the students to fill in the blanks in an effort to encourage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. What passionate, self-respecting Wesleyan activist could resist a chance to create and execute a project—backed by $10,000—that will further the cause of peace?
While the entire program of 100 projects is meant to be worldwide in scope and impact, specific projects may be located anywhere and be as grassroots as desired. Any area of interest, such as anti-war activism, social, economic, or environmental justice, arms proliferation, and government corruption, is appropriate. But, students don’t have to limit themselves to ideas that would reflect traditional public service. Students can draw on their interests in business, science, the arts, language, or the social sciences—there are no pre-existing preferences in the minds of the selection committee.
Each of the 76 schools are guaranteed at least one grant; however, it is possible for a school to have more than one project accepted. Application materials consist of:
– Resume—for group submissions, an individual resume must be submitted for each student participant.
– Proposal—a written statement which describes the project (who, what, where, and how), including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact. This should be a maximum of two pages, 1.5 or double line spacing. If you will be partnering with a third party, outside organization to implement your project, you must receive and submit a SIGNED letter of commitment on their letterhead stating the project agreed upon, the location of the project, and the name of the organization’s representative with whom you will be working. A faxed copy will do. In the case of group submissions, one student should be designated as the Project Representative, who will then compile and submit all materials.
– Project Budget—indicate your expected project components and related costs. We recommend creating a table in MS Word. One page maximum.
To apply, submit all hard copy (paper) materials to the CRC front desk, attention Jim Kubat, by 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 8, 2007. Note: Resume Approval from the CRC is NOT required for this program. For more information, visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/crc/pathways/ccg/index.html, and look under “Special Events and News.”
Leave a Reply