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.
About the Women PeaceMakers Program
The IPJ’s Women PeaceMakers Program invites four women from conflict-affected countries to participate in a multi-week residency. The selected women have been involved in human rights and peacemaking and are seeking ways to have greater impact on peacemaking efforts in their society. 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 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. Each Woman PeaceMaker will have an assigned Peace Writer to document her story.
General Information
This project will involve extensive research into the history of the conflict of the WPM’s country and familiarity with women in conflict situations and peacebuilding processes. The purpose of the program is to create a subjective narrative account of a PeaceMaker’s life and work. Therefore, Peace Writers will be expected to work very closely with their assigned PeaceMaker as the primary source to document her story, experiences, perspectives and work.
Peace Writers will receive a total stipend of $6,600, less applicable taxes, to complete the 11-week project. Deliverables (including attending program orientation and training; regular submission of their work to PeaceMakers and program staff for editing remarks; and meet with program staff to discuss the writing process and review narrative drafts) and payment schedule are listed below. A more detailed schedule of deliverable dates will be provided at the beginning of the program.
A communal office and electronic voice recorders will be provided for writers to use for the duration of the program.
Peace Writer applicants must be willing to work flexible hours and attend some program-related events, which may include some evenings and weekends. Writers need not accompany WPM to off-campus functions; WPMs will have volunteers to help them with the majority of their activities.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read recent past Woman PeaceMaker narratives (available online at http://peace.sandiego.edu/wpm) to familiarize themselves with the documentation components, format and the style of creative non-fiction vignettes used by the program.
Required Qualifications
- Graduate degree or current enrollment in a graduate program related to peace studies, conflict resolution, human rights, international relations, gender studies, creative writing or communications. Applicants who do not fit the above description, but have a portfolio of published work, preferably in creative non-fiction, will be considered.
- Outstanding narrative writing and analytic skills, and familiarity with narrative writing styles.
- 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.
- Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with fellow Writers, WPM and program staff.
- Must provide own housing, computer and transportation. If driving onto campus, proof of insurance required.
- If selected, must provide tax ID or SSN for tax purposes.
How to apply to become a 2015 Peace Writer in the Women PeaceMakers Program
In order for your application to be considered, it must be post-marked on or before April 24, 2015. Applicants selected for consideration will be notified by June 10, 2015; successful candidates will be notified by June 30, 2015.
All applications must include the following:
- The completed and signed Peace Writer Application and Reference Sheet
- Personal Essay (2-page maximum, stating your interest in the Women PeaceMakers Program and the Peace Writer position)
- Two Letters of Reference (at least one letter must be from an academic reference or a professional editor familiar with your writing)
- Resume or curriculum vita (3-page maximum)
- Two writing samples, one narrative and one analytical (10-page maximum each), on issues relevant to conflict resolution, peacemaking, human rights or gender studies
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies/institutes/ipj/programs/women-peacemakers/index.php