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Please read Peaceful Moments magazine online.

University of Texas Global Ethics and Conflict Resolution 2007 Summer Symposium

The University of Texas at Austin Project on Conflict Resolution

UT Willie Nelson Center Students

This article represents part 3 in our series highlighting 50 exceptional high school students who participated in the University of Texas at Austin (UT) Global Ethics and Conflict Resolution 2007 Symposium.

Please read Part 1 as well as Part 2 and watch the two videos the students produced using Willie Nelson’s and Amy Nelson’s A Peaceful Solution soundtrack. Willie Nelson promises whoever produces a video using A Peaceful Solution soundtrack will have a feature article on the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute web site.

These extraordinary high school students deserve recognition and encouragement for their commitment to create change in this world. They envision a world where peace becomes a way of life and take responsibility to ensure their dream materializes.

Feel free to take a moment and read Peaceful Moments magazine online to compliment your video experience. Well worth your time and highly educational. These high potential high school students give us a glimpse into history and show us the positive, peaceful changes people create when they commit to doing the right thing.

We see the power the individual possesses to overcome unimaginable obstacles with sheer determination combined with strength of character and high-minded values to usher in a peaceful solution.

Read what the students think about this unique experience offered by Dr. Madeline Maxwell, Director of the UT Summer Symposium and founder of the University of Texas Project on Conflict Resolution.

“I really enjoyed when we discussed topics like the death penalty and when we got to look at court cases and decided what we thought the outcome should be. I also enjoyed the religion panel. It was interesting to hear actual university students talk about their own religions and discuss it in a way that was open to all beliefs.“ Paige Elberger

“Well, as far as the best part of the symposium, it is hard to pick one thing. I found the speeches on global humanitarian buying informative, and really opened my eyes to how our money that we give to charities is really spent.

“I know if anyone does have a desire to aid third world countries, they must be creative and wise. I am in the process of funding micro loans, and I am grateful that I got a background on this.

“I am glad that the symposium arranged for a bevy of speakers, from conflict resolution in your family, to tolerating religions of all people, like on Friday, we listened to the point of views of a rabbi, Christian and Hindu.

“We learned about global perspectives, which truly is the key to obtain any level of peace, closed minds don’t work. I know we didn’t solve all the worlds problems in a week, but we, at least I, had an enriching experience.“ Jennifer Killingley

Abbey, Guthrie, and Tanya sharing a quiet moment.

“I simply can not say enough complimentary things about the symposium, and have recommended it to several people for next summer. Not only did I learn a lot from the various speakers and workshops, but I am finding ways to apply the things I learned to everyday life, especially the class about being aware of what you spend and how you spend it.

“Also, the actual college class we attended has pumped me up for college already! The games we played at night in the dorms were also fun and enriching. However, my favorite part about attending UTPCR was the people.

“I have never met a group that I have bonded with so quickly. Though we still keep in touch through MySpace and Facebook, I still miss having everyone right down stairs or across the hall. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to meet these fabulous people.” Abbey Lunney

“UTPCR was awesome! I had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit about conflict resolution. I also leaned how conflict resolution relates on both an everyday social and global scale.

“When I went to UTPCR I was considering conflict resolution or ethics as a major, now I’m positive that that’s what I want to major in. It’s something that I would have fun working on and I really think it’s an area I would be good in.

“Some of my favorite things that we did at camp were the games we played. I love red blue! I also liked playing the knot game.

Jennifer, Amy, Renuka, Nikki, Sarah, and Jake bowling in the student union.

“The speakers were very interesting and brought many global and local issues to my attention. They also gave me some ideas on things that I could do to help improve my community.

“Not only the speakers had insightful points though, the other campers did as well. Listening to them talk about things they have done in their school gave me ideas of for things that could be done in mine, or just how to go about solving a problem that I see in our student body in general.

“The things we did in the evening were great as well. I had fun on the campus night crawl, and really liked taking the UT tower tour. Some of my friends were so jealous when I showed them the pictures I took. There was always something interesting going on in the evenings.

“There’s always something to do at UTPCR. I never got bored. UTPCR is an awesome camp! I recommend it to any one who has the slightest interest in conflict resolution, Or just to someone that wants to have something to do during the summer.” Emily Jordan

Barney mugging for the camera in his Willie Nelson Center tee shirt.

The UT Summer Symposium is an annual event that is supported by the UT Willie Nelson Center students for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

The planning committee for June 2008 will begin planning shortly. We look forward to the continued cycle of involvement in the pursuit of peace.

See other videos produced during the symposium at UTGlobal’s YouTube channel.

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Tags: Arts, Peace

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