ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

CSP ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP FUND

At the CSP reunion held in Caux in 2008, an alumni focus group agreed on the need for a greater number of participants from countries directly affected by conflict. Our hope is that the recipient of the CSP Alumni Scholarship will return to his/ her home country, after benefiting from training in conflict transformation and peacebuilding, and act as a seed for peace by contributing directly to the peace process.

After the reunion, a passionate appeal was made to the participants to make this proposal a reality by creating this fund which would sponsor one scholar from 2009 onwards. US $1,400 was raised among four scholars within three days.

This scholarship provides US $3,000 for the tuition fee and US $1,000 for air travel. Additional appeal letters for contributions have been sent to all Caux Scholar alumni. Any surplus received will be channeled into the general fund for CSP 2009.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. National of a country that is affected by civil or armed conflict. Please note that candidates with nationality (dual nationality) or permanent residency in a developed country do not qualify for the scholarship.

2. Active engagement in creating peace and mitigating conflict.

3. Demonstrated financial need

Application requirements:

In addition to the CSP application, please submit a one page essay on the following topic:

How are you currently engaged in creating peace in your country? What, in your opinion, are the qualities needed in peacemakers who seek to break the cycle of hatred and resentment and unite people across barriers that have historically divided them? (You may wish to refer to the IofC website; its history and stories of individuals who have helped heal conflicts in their countries for ideas)

Deadline: March 15, 2010 (to be submitted along with CSP application)  

Selection process: A committee of 4 (3 alumni and 1 member of the CSP staff) will grade each applicant. The top three candidates will be selected and interviewed, in person or by phone, upon which the final candidate will be selected.

2009 Scholarship Recipient:
Jeevan Amarasingham has been selected as the Caux Scholar alumni scholarship recipient for 2009. Jeevan is from Sri Lanka, which has endured civil war for almost 26 years.  He works as the Senior Program Officer for the Foundation for Co-Existence, which promotes coexistence in communities throughout Sri Lanka.  Upon receiving the scholarship, Jeevan commented "this is amazing news and I consider it nothing short of an honor to have been selected on scholarship. I very much look forward to doing justice to this opportunity, not just as part of the program but also the change we envisage bringing to the world over the long run." He hopes that CSP will provide him with “tools, skills, knowledge, courage and experience to go beyond a mere understanding of the [core issues] and move towards bringing real tangible change to human lives that need it."