Peace Writer for the WPM Program
(Made possible by a grant from the Fred J. Hansen Foundation)

Applications for Fall 2006 will open on April 1, 2006.

Peace Writers will work closely with the Woman PeaceMakers to document their stories for publication, and assist with the other activities of the Women PeaceMakers Program. In addition to writing, Peace Writers will help Women PeaceMakers create presentations and prepare for talks and forums. Peace Writers will become exceptionally familiar with the conflict and peacemaking efforts of the Woman PeaceMakers that s/he will be working with and with others in this and related fields who will be part of the program. At the same time, Peace Writers will have the opportunity to learn how a non-profit, non-governmental, educational institution works. Peace Writers will also play a key role in helping the Women PeaceMakers become acclimated to the surrounding community, and help facilitate activities such as banking, shopping, and sight-seeing. Peace Writers will be called upon to assist with administrative functions of the program.

Peace Writers will be given a small, monthly stipend for their work. Housing accommodations will not be provided to Peace Writers; however, Program staff will provide chosen Peace Writers with rental listings in the area (campus housing is not an option). Peace Writers must plan to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week to the program. Past writers have noted this position demands a full time commitment. Peace Writers will be given a reading list upon acceptance to the program. Peace Writers must participate in an intensive training and orientation the week prior to the arrival of the Women PeaceMakers (September 20 – 23). Peace Writers will generally be required to participate in all Women PeaceMaker activities, events, and field-trips. The Peace Writers will remain at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) for approximately two weeks beyond the departure of the PeaceMakers to finalize their written narrative (September 20 – December 6, 2004).

Read more about our 2005 Peace Writers.

About the Women PeaceMakers Program
This program is made possible through a generous grant from the Fred J. Hansen Foundation. The IPJ's Women PeaceMakers Program invites four women from conflict-affected countires around the world who have been involved in human rights and peacemaking efforts and who are seeking ways to have greater impact in peacemaking efforts in their society to participate in a multi-week residency at the IPJ. Women on the frontlines of efforts to end violence and secure a just peace seldom record their experiences, activities, and insights as generally there is no time, or, perhaps, no formal education that would help women record their stories. This program will also create a network of Women PeaceMakers who may become resources to be called on to serve in peacemaking and post-conflict planning processes internationally.

The residency program will require the selected Women PeaceMakers to give presentations at the IPJ and in the San Diego community, and to participate in documenting their stories through writing and videotaping their reflections. Women PeaceMakers will participate in workshops to exchange ideas and approaches to peacemaking and justice, increasing their capacity to further prepare them to participate in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts and in post-conflict decisions-making. The program will provide each Women PeaceMaker with a Peace Writer to document her story; each peacemaker will receive a stipend to help cover expenses while in San Diego.

Qualifications for Peace Writers
Peace Writer applicants should be currently enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate program, working on their thesis or dissertation, or have recently graduated from a graduate or post-graduate program related to, peace studies, narrative writing, conflict resolution, human rights, gender studies, international relations, communications or have a portfolio of published work.

Peace Writers should have a GPA of 3.4 or higher, and outstanding writing and analytic skills.
Peace Writers should have some experience in cross-cultural projects and be familiar with narrative writing styles.
Peace Writers must be able to work in a multicultural setting, and be able to work closely with people for whom English is a second language.
Peace Writers must be willing to share a large communal office with three other Peace Writers.
Peace Writers must be able to meet regular deadlines for story segments and produce a complete narrative in an 11 week time frame. Writers must be willing to meet with Program staff periodically throughout the duration of the project to review narrative drafts.
Peace Writers must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with fellow writers, women peacemakers, and Program staff.
Peace Writers must be willing to work flexible hours, and attend all program related events on evenings, mornings and some weekends.
Peace Writers will receive a small stipend ($325 per week) to off-set living expenses in San Diego; however, Writers will not receive benefits or health insurance.

Peace Writers must have reliable transportation to the IPJ.

Peace Writers must find their own housing in the San Diego area.

How to Apply
2005 applications are closed and applications for Fall 2006 will open on April 1, 2006.

Mail completed application to:

Shelley Lyford
Women PeaceMakers Program
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
USA
Fax: 1.619.260.7570
E-mail: slyford@sandiego.edu
* If sending the application via email to slyford@sandiego.edu please fax a copy of the completed and signed Self-Assessment Health Form and the 2005 Application Form.*

IMPORTANT: Your application will not be considered “complete” or reviewed until the signed health forms and cover application forms are received.

Please keep a photocopy of your completed application for your records.

We will not be able to send back any of the materials we receive.