Global Initiative on Storytelling for Peace and Renewing Community (SPARC)University of Manitoba (Canada)
In 2006, the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba, established a global initiative on Storytelling for Peace and Renewing Community (SPARC) to promote innovative story-based approaches for peacemaking and community-building. SPARC seeks to address the problem of violence in our world and promote skills among individuals to resolve conflicts and build community. Locally, the initiative seeks to embrace Winnipeg's diverse cultures, including the large Aboriginal population as well as refugees, and particularly young refugees affected by war.
SPARC encompasses the Winnipeg International Storytelling Festival: Storytelling on the Path to Peace and the Summer Institute on Storytelling for Peace and Renewing Community. The international festival is free to the public and aims to be as inclusive as possible. The festival includes peacebuilding/ storytelling workshops and a storytelling concert. The Summer Institute is designed for university students, educators, conflict interveners, storytellers, activists, and others who are in a position to use storytelling in unique and innovative ways to build peace, strengthen and nurture community, and to promote positive social change. Learn more on SPARC's website>>
Kampung Kundang Ulu Community Enrichment Program (KKUCEP)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia)
The Kampung Kundang Ulu Community Enrichment Program (KKUCEP) was developed in response to massive flooding affecting the Kampung Kundang Ulu area in December 2006 and January 2007. Immediately following the January 2007 flood, approximately 1000 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) students volunteered in the relief operation. Recognizing the urgent need for a more formal and structured long-term assistance, UKM, under the initiative of the university's Vice Chancellor, adopted the village. What started predominantly as a students' relief project to aid flood victims has grown into a comprehensive community enrichment program. Community health services are of particular need and constitute a majority of KKUCEP's programming. Services provided include blood screening, nutritional assessment of children and the elderly, anthropometric screening, vision and audiometric screening, speech therapy, and physiotherapy. These services have been provided to over 300 villagers. Educational assistance has also been an identified need that the program is working to address. Specific areas of assistance include computer literacy for students and educators, and improving English, science and math education in schools. Learn more about the launch of the project>>
Mentoring@bradford
University of Bradford (UK)
The city of Bradford faces severe socio-economic gaps and large immigrant populations. To serve underprivileged communities, mentors are recruited from the undergraduate and postgraduate student body to provide an informal peer based support system for non-traditional entrants to higher education. The program seeks to raise aspirations, encourage progression and to aid retention, student success and achievement once they have entered the University. The use of mentoring enhances and supports the work of the Bradford University Academy in terms of recruitment, retention and enabling achievement, as well as encouraging dialogue across intercultural and socio-economic groups. Over 250 University of Bradford students have been trained and now participate in this mentoring program. Learn More>>
Proyecto Social Estudiantil - Summer Day Camp
Universidad Metropolitana en Caracas (Venezuela)
Proyecto Social Estudiantil was established in 2007 to meet community needs and bridge social gaps. The group runs a summer day camp to give children from underprivileged backgrounds structured activities to enrich their lives and keep them out of trouble. Held on UNIMET's campus, the summer camp holds various activities for the children with an emphasis on instilling strong values. These activities touch on themes like family values, education, ecology, professions, health, world cultures, and Venezuelan culture.
Rural Extension Program
Ahfad University for Women (Sudan)
Since 1973, Ahfad University has afforded fourth-year students the opportunity to conduct hands-on development projects in rural Sudan, contributing to the empowerment of rural community members. Students first learn background information and practical skills through coursework, and then visit rural communities to implement those skills. The university, together with the local government and NGOs, chooses a theme each year to focus students' efforts on issues such as HIV/AIDS, women's education, and environmental health. During the field trips, students administer questionnaires, conduct extension activities such as seminars and performances, and help form community-based organizations. Students develop practical skills and gain awareness of the realities of rural life, while helping to reach over 250,000 community members with important health, development, and education information. Learn more on the School of Rural Extension, Education and Development (REED)'s website>>
Volunteerism and Community Mobilization for the Abolition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sudan
Ahfad University for Women (Sudan)
Ahfad University has partnered with UNV, UNFPA, and UNDP to address the high rate of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) in Sudan. The program mobilizes community members, students, and faculty to conduct peer and formal education. Ahfad's approach to the FGM issue is unique, as it includes males and youth-- groups that have previously been ignored-- in its volunteer and outreach activities. Program organizers have used existing organizations and events to disseminate their message, including in-school sessions, public lectures, open days, theatric events, mobile radio announcements, and sporting events. In order to further these efforts and ensure sustainability, community members have established the NGO Menath, which continues to work with Ahfad faculty, staff, and students to make progress in ending the practice of FGM. Learn more from the United Nations Mission in Sudan (p.5)>>
