In the midst of conflicts in the Middle East, South America, China and other locations across the globe, one organization based at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point hopes to encourage research and teaching of the factors necessary for a global peace.

The Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies is a non-profit organization whose members include ten University of Wisconsin campuses, UW-Extension and 12 other private and public colleges and universities in the state. Members share their expertise through conferences, speakers, reference materials and an annual journal.

"As with all peace-loving people around the world, we of the Wisconsin Institute have been spurred to redouble our efforts in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11," said Martin Farrell, the institute�s 2001-2002 executive director and a professor of global studies and political science at member school Ripon College.

"The institute has a busy agenda, trying to keep abreast of world happenings and keeping on top of the issues," said Eric Yonke, a UWSP professor of history who serves as the faculty representative to the Institute and heads UWSP�s peace studies minor. "There is a real emphasis on bringing forth a diversity of opinions on peace issues."

The institute does not take a stand on a specific viewpoint, he said, instead its programs reflect a goal of education and information. From her office at UWSP, the institute�s administrative director, Sarah Stillwell, coordinates speakers for member institutions and collects scholarly essays for publication in the annual Journal for the Study of Peace and Conflict and for an annual essay contest. She helps coordinate two annual conferences and the publication of an annual bulletin and a list of experts that will speak at member colleges free of charge.

"While the institute has witnessed and discussed many world events since its 1985 inception," Stillwell said, "there has been a renewed interest in the institute and its resources since September 11."

Several experts were put on call, including UWSP Political Science Assistant Professor Bryan Brophy-Baermann, a specialist in terrorism issues and U.S. foreign policy, and Cardinal Stritch University Adjunct Professors Ken Glaudell and Floyd Paseman. Paseman is a former agent of the Central Intelligence Agency and another resource for terrorism issues.

Through the institute, Brophy-Baermann was asked to join a forum at UW-Platteville. He believes the benefits of this sharing of expertise go both ways.

"I was able to bring a perspective that they didn�t have on campus," he said, "and it was nice for me to hear from other experts as well."

Of the institute�s two annual conferences, one is held for the public in the fall and the other for students in the spring. At last October�s conference, co-sponsored by Madison Area Technical College, over 700 people attended the keynote speech by Lech Walesa, the Polish Solidarity leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Registrants attended informational workshops on nonviolent peaceful intervention, peace and conflict in specific countries and the peace and reconciliation process.

The 16^th annual student conference will be held at Edgewood College in Madison on April 6, with the theme "Globalization: Ends and Means." The conference will include presentations of scholarly papers, round table discussions, creative writing and persuasive speeches focused on the theme. Students at Wisconsin colleges and universities may submit proposals for the conference and selected papers are eligible for cash awards.

In addition to the colleges and universities, individuals may become members of the institute for $35 a year, which includes a subscription to the bulletin, a copy of the journal or proceedings of the public conference, full or partial waiver of conference registration fees and borrowing privileges from the media library. Student memberships are $10 and include free registration for the student conference and a subscription to the journal.

For more information about the Wisconsin Institute, its speakers or programs, contact Stillwell at (715) 346-3383 or wiinst@uwsp.edu. The institute is on the Internet at http://www.wisconsin-institute.org.

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