Peace Camp 2007:
Think critically. Act justly. And the world will change.
By: Maribeth Kupstas
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Features
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"I love walking to class and seeing people sitting on the sofas we have brought out just talking," Hughes said. "It's exciting to see students who usually wouldn't come together talking about social justice issues or an issue that they are passionate about."
Peace Camp has been held for at least six years. Coordinator at the Compton Center for Peace and Justice and Peace Camp advisor Valerie Rudolph said there are many reasons why the camp is continuously successful.
One reason is the freedom that the student interns have to work on projects that are important to them. Another factor that contributes to the success of Peace Camp is the support from faculty and staff. Many of the guest speakers are professors, and without their participation the camp would not be able to reach its full potential.
The location of Peace Camp has also influenced its success. Rudolph said that many times the topics discussed at Peace Camp are not addressed in living spaces or classrooms around campus. Therefore, moving the conversation to the Academic Quad encourages more dialogue.
This year, Peace Camp coincides with DePauw Discourse. Although the events are separately organized, they still overlap on many issues and both emphasize the importance of conversation among students, faculty and staff.
"I think that, combined with DePauw Discourse week, Peace Camp provides students a really good opportunity to understand the world outside of DePauw and their discipline by giving them a chance to interact with professors outside of the classroom setting," Hughes said.
The camp will conclude on Friday with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s speech "The Contract with Our Future," sponsored by DePauw Discourse.
Although Peace Camp only lasts a week, organizers and participants hope its impact will continue throughout the year.
"I hope that the camp will raise awareness of critical issues as well as offer the language of hope and possibility," Harvey-Koelpin said.
Peace Camp has been held for at least six years. Coordinator at the Compton Center for Peace and Justice and Peace Camp advisor Valerie Rudolph said there are many reasons why the camp is continuously successful.
One reason is the freedom that the student interns have to work on projects that are important to them. Another factor that contributes to the success of Peace Camp is the support from faculty and staff. Many of the guest speakers are professors, and without their participation the camp would not be able to reach its full potential.
The location of Peace Camp has also influenced its success. Rudolph said that many times the topics discussed at Peace Camp are not addressed in living spaces or classrooms around campus. Therefore, moving the conversation to the Academic Quad encourages more dialogue.
This year, Peace Camp coincides with DePauw Discourse. Although the events are separately organized, they still overlap on many issues and both emphasize the importance of conversation among students, faculty and staff.
"I think that, combined with DePauw Discourse week, Peace Camp provides students a really good opportunity to understand the world outside of DePauw and their discipline by giving them a chance to interact with professors outside of the classroom setting," Hughes said.
The camp will conclude on Friday with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s speech "The Contract with Our Future," sponsored by DePauw Discourse.
Although Peace Camp only lasts a week, organizers and participants hope its impact will continue throughout the year.
"I hope that the camp will raise awareness of critical issues as well as offer the language of hope and possibility," Harvey-Koelpin said.
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