Peace Writers will document the stories of Women PeaceMakers (WPM) for publication. Writers will interview the WPM and engage in extensive research to become familiar with the histories of the conflicts and the peacemaking efforts of the WPM. Writers will draft narrative stories and write complementary material, such as conflict histories and conflict timelines that will provide context for the WPM narratives.
This position demands a full-time commitment for 10 weeks. Peace Writers will be expected to be at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) 40 hours per week. Writers will receive a stipend of $600 per week, for 10 weeks, for their work. Housing accommodations will not be provided to Writers; however, program staff will provide Writers with rental listings in the area (campus housing is unavailable). Writers must secure reliable transportation to and from the IPJ.
Upon acceptance to the program, Peace Writers will be given a mandatory reading list that will provide background for understanding notions of conflict, women’s role in conflict and peacebuilding, and the histories of the conflicts of the WPM. Writers must participate in an intensive training and orientation the week prior to the arrival of the WPM (September 4-7, 2012). Writers will remain at the IPJ approximately two weeks beyond the departure of the WPM to finalize the written narrative (November 3-12, 2012).
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 countries around the world who have been involved in human rights and peacemaking and who are seeking ways to have greater impact on 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 them record their stories. This program also creates a network of Women PeaceMakers who 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 group discussions and take part in an annual Women PeaceMakers event, held at the Institute in late December. Each Woman PeaceMaker will have an assigned Peace Writer to document her story.
QUALIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION FOR PEACE WRITERS
- Peace Writer applicants should have a graduate degree or be currently enrolled in a graduate program related to peace studies, conflict resolution, human rights, international relations, gender studies, narrative writing or communications. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.4 or higher. Applicants who do not fit the above description, but have a portfolio of published work, will be considered.
- Peace Writer applicants must have outstanding narrative writing and analytic skills and be familiar with narrative writing styles.
- Peace Writer applicants should have experience interviewing or interacting with others in a cross-cultural setting. Applicants must be able to work closely with people for whom English is a second language.
- Peace Writers should be willing to research the history of the conflict of the WPM and be well-versed in notions of women in conflict situations and peacebuilding processes.
- Peace Writers will receive a stipend of $600 per week, for 10 weeks, for their work.
- Peace Writers must be able to meet regular deadlines for story segments and produce a complete narrative in a 10-week timeframe. Writers must be willing to submit their work to program staff for editing remarks and to meet with program staff weekly to discuss the writing process and review narrative drafts.
- Peace Writer applicants must be willing to share a communal office with three other Writers.
- Peace Writer applicants must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with fellow Writers, WPM and program staff.
- Peace Writer applicants must be willing to work flexible hours and attend all program-related events, including some evenings and weekends.
- Peace Writer applicants should be willing, on occasion, to help the WPM become acclimated to the community, including accompanying them to off-campus functions on occasion. WPM will have volunteers to help them with the majority of their activities.
- Peace Writers must find their own housing in the San Diego area.
- Peace Writers must have reliable transportation to and from the IPJ.
- Peace Writers must have their own health insurance.
HOW TO APPLY TO BECOME A 2012 PEACE WRITER IN THE WOMEN PEACEMAKERS PROGRAM
In order for your application to be considered, it must be post-marked on or before June 15, 2012. Applicants selected for consideration will be notified by June 29, 2012; successful candidates will be notified by July 10, 2012.
All applications must include the following:
1. The completed and signed Peace Writer Application and Reference Sheet
2. Personal Essay (2-page maximum, stating your interest in the Women PeaceMakers Program and the Peace Writer position)
3. Two Letters of Reference (at least one letter must be from an academic reference or a professional editor)
4. Resume or curriculum vita (3-page maximum)
5. Two writing samples, one narrative and one analytical (10-page maximum each), on issues relevant to conflict resolution, peacemaking, human rights or gender studies
Mail completed application to:
Jennifer Freeman
Women PeaceMakers Program
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Fax: 1.619.260.7570
E-mail: jenfreeman@sandiego.edu
* If sending the application via email to jenfreeman@sandiego.edu please fax a copy of the completed and signed 2012 Application Form.*
IMPORTANT: Your application will not be considered “complete” or reviewed until the 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.
Download: application form
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries/ submissions: jenfreeman@sandiego.edu
Website: http://www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies/ipj/programs/
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
