Student Seminar in Hiroshima
Office of the Provost
Each summer the International Network of Universities (INU) sponsors a Student Seminar on Global Citizenship and Peace at the University of Hiroshima. And every year, JMU–the only U.S. member and currently the INU president–sends a group of faculty and undergraduate and graduate students to participate in this intensive, week-long gathering. This summer held particular significance as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of the seminar and commemorated the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. To acknowledge the double importance of this year, the president of Hiroshima University held a summit for INU member institutions. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Jerry Benson, OIP Executive Director Lee Sternberger, Director of Study Abroad Felix Wang and INU Project Coordinator Vesna Hart attended to represent JMU. Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing Andy Perrine traveled with the JMU contingent to document the series of events.
The 2015 Student Seminar focused on an interdisciplinary consideration of gender, peace and security. Among other things, students discussed the ways that historical and contemporary conflicts affect genders differently, the gendered nature of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, the nature and limitations of contemporary national and international legal approaches to issues of gender, peace and security, and the possible policy implications of gendered experiences of war and peace. They considered the roles that various actors–developed countries, developing countries, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, multi-national corporations and others–can play in addressing these issues. They thought systematically about the relationships among global citizenship and issues of gender, peace and security–how might a global citizen’s approach to these issues differ from a national citizen’s approach to these issues?
More broadly, the student seminar promoted reflection on the nature of peace, nuclear issues, globalization, the possibilities and limitations of the United Nations and other international institutions, and the relationship between globalization and global citizenship. JMU Associate Professor John Scherpereel, Department of Political Science and Chair of the INU Academic Planning Committee, and INU Project Coordinator Vesna Hart served as facilitators for JMU international affairs majors Megan Hinton, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Brannon and Lauren Wallace, English major Rachel Bartholomew and their counterparts from around the world.
In recent years, the program has included master’s level options. Alaina Esposito, studying ecology and freshwater biology, and ISAT Assistant Professor Joy Ferenbaugh attended the Master’s Summer School for Environmental Science. The Master’s Summer School for Global Citizenship and Peace attracted Claudia Salvador, a student in JMU’s European Union policy studies master’s program in Florence. The Workshop on Global Health and Nursing, a multi-level initiative, drew nursing Professor Maria DeValpine, graduate student Caitlin Lugo (Family Nurse Practitioner) and undergraduate nursing student Sara Greco (Chronic Illness minor).
Several participants, now back at JMU and continuing with their studies, reflected on the effect the Student Seminar in Hiroshima has already had on them. Lauren Wallace, Class of 2016, majoring in international affairs and minoring in both humanitarian affairs and global religions and issues, wrote, “The INU Seminar experience in Japan was simply incredible. As unforgettable as Japan itself was, what left a truly indelible mark on me were the people, topic and stories from the seminar experience. The second best part of the seminar (the first being actually participating in it!) is reliving my experiences through the memories I have and the friends I made. I can’t think of a more perfect way to integrate academics with adventure!”
Megan Hinton stated, “I absolutely loved the seminar. Conflict and peacebuilding are of great interest to me, and I intend to study them more once I go on to postgraduate studies. I learned invaluable information on these two topics at this year's seminar, especially as they relate to issues of gender during and after conflict. Also, the cultural exchange aspect of the program cannot be understated. Prior to the INU seminar, I never had the opportunity to befriend and share experiences with such a diverse group of international students. Now, I take great pride in the fact that I have friends in Japan, Indonesia, Sweden and elsewhere in the world.”
Lizzie Brannon added, “The INU Student seminar introduced me to an international community of students who are passionate about the world and dedicated to creating peace. I met people from all over and learned a tremendous amount listening to their perspectives. I saw how deep the scars of war and conflict can be and how important it is that there are people in the world who are working constantly to bring about peace. Hearing from survivors of the A-bomb was heartbreaking, but their persistence in sharing their stories to ensure the saying ‘never again’ held true was inspiring. I realize that a world without conflict is impossible, but creating this international community is a step closer to a more peaceful world.”
