Apply Now to Become a 2023-2024 Peace Scholar

Become a Peace Scholar!

Established in 2011, the Peace Scholars Program is designed to deepen understanding of central issues and theories of dialogue, peace-building, conflict, and war. Annually, two students from each of the six Lutheran participating colleges and universities form a group of collaborative scholars.

After being suspended due to COVID-19, the Peace Scholars Program has returned for 23-24 with travel to Norway in summer 2023. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors that are returning for a PLUS year. Applicants must be returning to PLU as students in Fall of 2023.

The fully funded program includes:

  1. Study in Norway for seven weeks: study includes a week-long intensive dialogue training, a peace seminar, and additional class at the Oslo International Summer School.
  2. Promote the program and contribute to peace-building efforts on PLU campus.
  3. Possible participation in a U.S. program component for a long weekend, virtually or in-person, with other Peace Scholars.

In Norway, students begin their study at the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue in Lillehammer.  There they engage in structured dialogue sessions with students from the Balkans/Caucasus regions, Middle East, and South America.

Peace Scholar Studies

Peace scholars participate in an interdisciplinary six-week undergraduate level course in peace studies at the Oslo International Summer School. The course includes both classroom instruction and visits to prominent institutions dealing with peace and conflict. Upon return to the PLU campus, students work with the Peace Scholars coordinator and committee to promote the program through presentations and recruitment meetings.

Travel, lodging and meals related to the Peace Scholars summer study are paid for by PLU and generous donors. Students may be get additional funding for non-program costs.

2020-2021 Peace Scholars Rahel Ambachew (left) and Elana Tracy (right)

Peace Scholars Attend the Nobel Peace Prize Forum

Nobel Peace Prize Forum
2017 PLU Peace Scholars Cate Rush and Austin Beiermann.

Peace Scholars travel to Norway in June for seven weeks, with Peace Scholars from other U.S. universities and students from around the world. In the past they also attended and participated in the Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis (now renamed into Human Rights Forum).

Read the full story about 2017 Peace Scholars here

Summer Study: Oslo International Summer School

The summer school is a vibrant international environment in which students from over 80 countries take part. The 14 Peace Scholars take a Peace Seminar together. In addition, they choose one elective course, which transfers to PLU.

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Nansen Dialogue Center

Students begin their study in Norway at the Nansen Dialogue Center in Lillehammer. There they join students from former and current conflict areas to practice the art of dialogue.

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The Human Rights Forum

In the past, Peace Scholars attended and participated in the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Starting in 2019, Peace Scholars attend The Human Rights Forum as an event that ``seeks to educate, inspire, and empower young leaders`` through interdisciplinary perspectives presented by partners to the program. Half will focus on global perspectives and half will emphasize domestic and local justice.

The theme of the 2019 Forum was ``Seeking Justice in a Changing World`` and was presented as a series of lectures, workshops, and panels.

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When they weren’t busy studying peacebuilding and conflict with students from all over the world, PLU Peace Scholars Ariel Wood ’17 and Theo Hofrenning ’17 explored downtown Oslo and Norway’s southeastern coast. Learn more about the Peace Scholar program at plu.edu/peace-scholars.