Since it began in 1991, the Caux Scholars Program (CSP) has graduated close to 500 students from more than 100 countries. Berea College students, with interest and experience in peace and justice issues, are invited to apply to be a Caux Scholar. Berea College has had at least one student become a Caux scholar each year since 2011, detailed below.

Twenty students from around the world are selected for this four-week course held in Caux, Switzerland, during the Initiatives of Change global summer conferences. The program includes approximately 40 hours of academic classes, seven hours per week of “Service for Leadership” practical work, a field trip to Geneva and participation in the Caux conferences.

The Caux Scholars Program teaches students to analyze a conflict, to understand the factors that create and sustain conflicts, and provide practical understanding of approaches to resolving conflicts – conflict prevention, negotiation and transitional justice.

Participants from Berea College

Caux 2011: Ismaila Ceesay

Caux 2012: Winnifred Arthur

I am a Botswana-raised Ghanaian studying Economics at Berea College in Kentucky. Development has always been an interest of mine, and coming to college in the United States allowed me to explore my interests in depth. I was able to narrow down my interests in all things political to the field of diplomacy. This summer, I was privileged to be one of 19 students to experience a month-long course on conflict transformation – the Caux Scholars Program. I gained a new respect and admiration for on-the-ground peace workers. It was only then that I realized that diplomacy wasn’t the be-all and end-all of peace work. As such, I plan on volunteering for grassroots women’s movements in the East African region upon graduation and before graduate school. I hope to pursue further studies in Diplomacy/Foreign Service in the coming future after I have gained some work experience. The Caux Scholars Program was truly life-changing for me, and it is an experience for which I am truly grateful.

Caux 2012: Sai Thiha

The Caux Scholars Program is a unique program, which combines academic learning with real world experience. The program also gives students opportunities to do case studies and engage with the leaders of organizations, peace makers, diplomats, government officials, and activists. Many scholars and experts from around the world come to Caux to initiate the global change. The atmosphere of peace and tranquility encouraged me to transform personal conflict experience to the global conflict resolution context.

Caux 2013: Sonam Yangzom

I am one of the twenty four Caux Scholar participants of 2013. I have learned so much from the diversity of backgrounds, culture, interest and experiences. The Caux Scholars Program focused on the themes of justice, conflict transformation, and reconciliation. The training was very intensive and was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I had conversations with people from all over the world who shared my dream of bringing change in the world. The program professors were amazing and taught me so much during this short period of time. I will use this kind of experience and tools in dealing with conflict in my future career. I am doing a nursing course but eventually I want to pursue a lifelong career in public health and social work. My career requires me to deal with people from diverse background and therefore diverse conflicts. After participating in the Caux Scholar’s program, I am much better equipped in understanding different conflicts, methods to resolving conflict and how to prevent causes of conflict. In future, I want to work in a challenging and stimulating environment with opportunity to use my current experience and to enrich my knowledge and enhance my experience in peace building and conflict transformation.

Caux 2014: Nadine Umutoni

Nadine Umutoni is from Rwanda. She is studying Communication, Peace, Social Justice and Sociology at Berea College in the US. She is the Service-Learning Program Manager at the Center for Excellence in Learning through Service and the Community Friendship Program Coordinator at the Center for International Education.

Caux 2015: Ngoc-Anh Cau

Ngoc-Anh Cau is from Vietnam. She is a junior majoring in Education Studies and minoring in Peace and Social Justice at Berea College. Her goal is to become a leader in the field of education in Vietnam. Anh believes that education is the key to most of current social issues. Education plays a crucial role in peace building and sustainable development, especially for a developing country like Vietnam. “Learning enables me to become a better person and to contribute to the community.” She was a student of the inaugurating undergraduate class “Empowering Women for Global Leadership” within the Women in Public Service Project at Berea College. She is also a member of the Entrepreneurship for the Public Good program, Cohort 11.

Caux 2016: Amos Izerimana 

Amos Izerimana is from Burundi but lives in the USA. He is a junior at Berea College, studying peace and Social Justice. He was born in Burundi during a civil war and as a result became a refugee until he came to the United States May of 2007. He learned English in the U.S. and went on to graduate from high school as a valedictorian. His experience as a refugee child inspired him to seek change for the lifestyles of refugee children, thus why he is studying Peace and social Justice. He is an interpreter for newcomer Kirundi- speaking families in medical and legal matters. As a Researcher and Project Assistant with Innovations in Peacemaking International (IPI) in 2014, he participated in a book titled “In the Line of Fire: Raising Kids in a Violent World.” In addition, he wrote a grant proposal for an upcoming project titled “Voiceless Victims.”