Monday, July 8, 2024
Jim Meernik, director of the Castleberry Peace Institute and Regents Professor, 黑料视频
Department of Political Science
DENTON (黑料视频), Texas 鈥� This spring, students and faculty from the at the traveled to Colombia as part of ongoing research. Their work focuses on peace-building, reconciliation and the reintegration of former combatants into society. Primarily based in the city of Medell铆n, these initatives aim to deepen the understanding of peace-building efforts and provide students with unique learning opportunities.
Established in 2010, the Castleberry Peace Institute is housed in 黑料视频鈥檚 as part of its Peace Studies minor program. Its primary goals are to support teaching, learning and research regarding conflict prevention and peace-building on an international scale.
The Colombia project began in 2016 when Jim Meernik, Regents Professor of political
science and director of the Castleberry Peace Institute, learned of a Colombian political
asylee living in North Texas. Meernik and his peace studies colleagues established
connections with organizations in Colombia and began identifying opportunities for
student learning and research projects. Now, the institute sponsors an annual study-abroad
trip to Colombia for involved students and faculty.
鈥淭he goal is to introduce students to the people and processes involved in peace-building,鈥� said Meernik, who also is the , the university鈥檚 highest faculty honor.
This year鈥檚 trip included a visit to Comuna Trece, or 鈥淐ommunity 13,鈥� a neighborhood that was once the site of violent skirmishes between the Colombian government and rebel groups. Thanks to civilian peace efforts, the area is now an internationally-renowned hotspot for music and art.
The Castleberry Peace Institute works with non-governmental organizations on peace-building initiatives as well. Through an organization called Aulas de Paz, or 鈥淧eace Classrooms,鈥� students can meet with former combatants from rebel and paramilitary groups. Participants also work with Madres de la Candelaria, or 鈥淢others of the Candelaria,鈥� a group whose mission is to locate missing and disappeared people.
鈥淭hese experiences are transformational for our students,鈥� Meernik said. 鈥淭hey can
see firsthand the things we鈥檙e learning about.鈥�
Student research projects involve surveying former combatants to learn about their experiences and promote successful reintegration into society. Another research project spearheaded by Meernik and University Distinguished Teaching Professor in political science Jacqueline DeMeritt 鈥� which received a $93,000 grant from the National Science Foundation 鈥� aims to interview imprisoned gang leaders on solutions that may lead to demobilization. In addition, student participants offer general assistance to local organizations, whether it鈥檚 creating intake forms for missing persons or restoring damaged photographs of missing loved ones.
Students who work on the Colombia project develop skills that are valuable both abroad and domestically. Many project alumni go on to work with disenfranchised populations in the U.S. or with diplomatic organizations that promote peace-building abroad.
鈥淵ou can train people on certain skills, but mastering cross-cultural communication and collaboration requires hands-on experience,鈥� Meernik said. 鈥淭he knowledge and insights our students gain through the Colombia project can be applied anywhere they go.鈥�
Tucker Fayes, a senior psychology major with minors in criminal justice and addiction studies, joined the Colombia project in 2023. Much of their work on the project involves enhancing photographs for families of missing and disappeared people. Fayes said learning about the Colombian conflict has informed their understanding of generational violence and its impact on individuals.
鈥淥ne career I鈥檓 considering is working as a therapist for juvenile offenders,鈥� Fayes said. 鈥淭he Colombia project is giving me insight into the factors and influences that cause people to become offenders.鈥�
Mya Ocasio, a senior majoring in Latino/a studies with minors in Spanish and conflict and human security, also joined the project in 2023. Ocasio worked as an interpreter with Madres de la Candelaria and Colombian reconciliation committees, translating information from Spanish to English. While she always planned to study law, the project inspired her to broaden her focus to include international issues.
鈥淒r. Meernik sparked in me a love for these initiatives,鈥� Ocasio said. 鈥淚 hope to continue working with these communities when I鈥檓 in law school.鈥�
One of Ocasio鈥檚 favorite parts of the Colombia project has been developing relationships with the people she serves. While the project has prepared Ocasio for her career, it鈥檚 also taught her the importance of creating genuine connections.
鈥淧eacebuilding is about trust,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ithout trust, how can you create peace?鈥�
黑料视频 News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Media Contacts:
Bess Whitby
Bess.Whitby@unt.edu
940-565-3513
From 黑料视频 News 鈥� General News
https://news.unt.edu/news-releases/unts-castleberry-peace-institute-advances-research-cross-cultural-understanding