Susan Menning
Many Daily Pilot readers may not realize it, but Orange County is a
world stage for vigorous discussions about peace building, democracy
and human rights.
That's because at UC Irvine, social and political scientists are
immersed in research and educational programs focused on making the
world a safer, more peaceful and humane place. They are taking a
critical look at global issues such as instability in Iraq and
Afghanistan. And they're doing so with students and community
volunteers, and through interdisciplinary research centers such as
the Center for the Study of Democracy, the Center for Citizen
Peacebuilding and the Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies.
"One of our goals is to introduce students to the complexities of
issues such as conflict in the Middle East or U.S. relations with
North Korea," explains Barbara Dosher, dean of social sciences at
UCI. "But just studying how the world is changing is not enough. Our
students are actually involved in these peace and democracy-building
processes through our research and outreach efforts."
UCI's Center for the Study of Democracy, now in its 10th year,
sponsors research and education aimed at understanding how democracy
develops around the world and how to strengthen it in nations with
established democracies, such as the United States. The center sends
graduate students -- "democracy fellows" -- across the globe to
participate in and learn about the processes of democracy. One
student was among the first nongovern- mental workers to enter
post-war Iraq, where she helped organize focus groups to learn how
Iraqi citizens felt about the defeat of Saddam Hussein. Another
student worked with former President Jimmy Carter on election
observations in Nicaragua. Yet another, a Vietnamese-American, went
back to her native country to assist with the first public- opinion
surveys ever conducted in Vietnam.
The center also hosts world leaders who share their own
experiences of building democracy. Recent guest speakers include
former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and former prime minister of
Spain, Jose Maria Aznar.
UCI researchers also examine conflict resolution and peace
building. The Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies is
dedicated to promoting scholarly, student and public understanding of
international peace and conflict. The Center for Citizen
Peacebuilding takes a more grassroots' approach, looking at how
citizens participate in activities that help prevent violent conflict
