UND delegation travels to Thailand for Global Peace Summit

UND student representatives met, interacted with speakers and delegates from around the world

Editor’s note: In the UND LEADS Strategic Plan, the Learning core value calls on the University to “foster a global perspective to prepare students for engagement and leadership, by promoting experiences that expand horizons even as they build skills.”  The story below, which UND Today first published on March 5, describes a situation in which the University put that strategic priority into action, in accordance with the Plan.

****

This month, four UND students had the chance to learn from peers and peace advocates from around the world at the Global Peace Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

The students representing UND were Student Body President Ella Nelson, Vice President Connor Ferguson, Precious Dada and Christopher Scott. Daphne Pederson, associate dean of UND’s College of Arts & Sciences, and Cassie Gerhardt, associate vice president for Student Affairs, accompanied the students.

The third annual event sponsored by Humanitarian Affairs Asia, a Bangkok-based nonprofit, featured 325 student delegates representing 47 countries. Delegates were selected via a competitive application process, which Pederson said is a testament to the students’ leadership abilities.

“There were a limited number of delegates at the Global Peace Summit, and all four UND students were accepted,” she said. “I think that speaks very highly of their skillset and qualifications, and their ability to represent their country as well.”

Ferguson said the opportunity to learn from and interact with speakers and delegates from across the globe is something he doesn’t take for granted.

“I tried to mix in what we learned at this peace summit with the cultural experiences I can get from speaking with people from all over the world,” he said. “Because I don’t always get the opportunity to speak with someone who doesn’t live here in the United States.”

The summit also featured several speakers, including prominent peace activists, refugees and survivors of genocide, which the students said inspired them to take action.

“The one that hit me the most was the Rwandan genocide survivor,” Scott said. “That one was really hard. A lot of the speakers talked about experiences you’ll never hear anyone talk about in the United States, because it just doesn’t happen here. Those stories added some personal perspective – what’s happening across the world, how people are hurting and how to take action.”

With this perspective in mind, Nelson, Ferguson, Dada and Scott were eager to offer advice on effective peacebuilding.

Nelson said that listening respectfully to a range of perspectives is key to tactful diplomacy.

“One of my biggest takeaways is that you’re not going to agree with everyone you talk to,” she said. “A big lesson I learned is to listen, not reply. Learning the other side and what other people think without jumping to argument right away is important.”

Ferguson relayed an anecdote from one of the summit’s speakers — British journalist and peace advocate Jennifer Nadel — about the importance of promoting peace from the ground up.

“One thing that really stuck with me from the conference, is to do anything and everything,” he said. “Jennifer Nadel told us a story about an organization in London that focuses on fixing up bikes to give to refugees. It’s a really niche focus, but it’s a focus that helps these people. If you just want to get out there and try to help people, any way no matter how small is massively beneficial.”

Dada referenced another speaker’s message — Syrian filmmaker and refugee rights activist Hassan Akkad — of peacebuilding according to one’s strengths.

“One thing Hassan from Syria said is ‘do what you’re good at,'” she said. “If you do what you’re good at, you will probably change something.”

The trip also afforded opportunities for sightseeing and sampling some authentic Thai cuisine.

“It was great spending time together in a different country and learning about its culture while also learning how to promote world peace,” said Nelson.

****

>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS about the UND LEADS Strategic Plan? Your thoughts are welcome! Please contact Angie Carpenter, UND’s director of Special Student Populations, and/or Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, the co-chairs of the UND LEADS Implementation Committee.

You also may offer your thoughts by visiting the UND LEADS Strategic Plan home page and clicking on the “Provide your feedback” link that you’ll find there.

Thank you for your support of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan!