Six colleges founded by Norwegian-American immigrants in the 19th century sponsor an annual summer Peace Scholars program in Norway, designed to deepen students’ understanding of the central issues and theories regarding conflict, war and peace. Through an application and interview process, students from Augsburg University, Augustana University (Sioux Falls), Concordia College (Moorhead), Luther College, Pacific Lutheran University, and St. Olaf College are selected as Peace Scholars and awarded a seven-week academic experience held at The Nansen Dialogue Network in Lillehammer and The University of Oslo International Summer School. Program Details:
Beginning in 2019, Augsburg University is hosting the Human Rights Forum, focusing on racial justice, indigenous rights and environmental sustainability.
For 30 years prior, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis provided an important, highly visible international platform that celebrated the accomplishments of Nobel Peace Prize winners. The Peace Scholars program is an outgrowth of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The forum began in 1988 by the five-college consortium of Augsburg, Augustana (Sioux Falls), Concordia (Moorhead), Luther, and St. Olaf. Currently, Peace Scholars are involved in the Human Rights Forum, an annual event held in Minneapolis that inspires students and other citizens to become active participants in peacemaking efforts around the world. In addition to the founding schools, the academic partners most recently included the University of Minnesota, University of Denver, California State University-Sacramento, Pacific Lutheran University, Juniata College, University of St. Thomas, and the University of Hawaii, Manoa, among others. Community partners include Global Minnesota, youthrive, the Norway House and the American Swedish Institute.
- International Summer School / University of Oslo
- Seminar Schedule
- The 2019 Peace Scholar Program
- Criteria Application and Selection Process
International Summer School/University of Oslo
Peace Scholars Seminar
The Peace Scholars will meet at least four times in a seminar with the Course Leader to discuss the individual and group projects they will be working on during the course of the summer session. Augustana Peace Scholars will also explore the role of direct democracy in creating a more just, equitable and peaceful society.