The annual Notre Dame Student Peace Conference, which takes place during the spring semester, attracts undergraduate and graduate students from across the U.S. and abroad who want to change in the world and who are committed to a rigorous, multi-disciplinary academic work on peacebuilding. Students present original research and showcase innovative peacebuilding practices.  

Recent student peace conferences:  

2013 "Fusion: Where Theory and Practice Meet"

This conference explored the integration of peacebuilding theory and practice, addressing how these complementary aspects of peacebuilding enrich one other.

Selected papers presented:

  • "Peacebuilding and the War on Terror: The U.S. Drone Program"
  • "When it Comes to Kosovo, Are Serbs All Speaking the Same Language?"
  • "Women and Government in a Post-Conflict Society"
  • "Exploitation of Children in Resource Conflicts: Implications for Policy and Intervention" '
  • "Tensions along the Nile: Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding"
  • "Political Participation among Indigenous People: The Achi and Ixil of Guatemala"

2012 "Strategies of Peace: Transforming Conflict in a Modern World"

Student participants focused on strategic peacebuilding, the Kroc Institute's pioneering approach to peace, examining how processes at local and global levels can foster peace. 

Selected papers presented: 

  • "Women's Human Rights in Iraq: A Peacebuilder's Perspective"
  • "Transcending Differences: A Project to Foster a Culture of Peace in School"
  • "Climate Change and Strategic Peacebuilding"
  • "Do We All Agree? Exploring Group Perspectives on Reconciliation in Post-Apartheid South Africa"
  • "Drugs and Peace Duration"
  • "Engineering the Future: Nation-building Opportunities Presented by the Arab Spring"

2011 “Partnering for Peace”

This conference highlighted how individuals and organizations collaborate to promote peace through civil society, education of youth, empowerment of women, and partnerships.  

Selected papers presented:    

  • “Partnership Between the Government of Uganda and Peacebuilding Grassroots Organizations: A Case Study of Kyembogo Farmers’ Association”
  • “Integrating Health Systems into Nation Building: Utilizing Outside Health Systems to Help Build Peaceful, Healthy Countries” 
  • “The Role of the Civil Society Organizations in Enhancing the Christian-Muslim Relations in Bethlehem”  
  • “Interreligious Dialogue as a Peacebuilding Tool in Mindanao”  
  • “Negotiating Peace in Guatemala: A Critique of United Nations Intervention”
  • “Participation, Peace, and Palestine: The Role of Women”  

2010 “Invest in Peace: Uncover the Practicality of Peacebuilding”  

Student research examined how peaceful conditions can be established through good governance and just economic policies, the empowerment of women, youth, and increased participation in civil society.  

Selected papers presented:

  • “NGOs and Structural Violence” 
  • “The International Criminal Court Faces Considerable Barriers”   
  • “The Role of Civil Society in Peace Processes: Taking the DRC as a Case” 
  • “Raising the Bar: How the U.N. Global Compact Promotes Sustainable Peace through Corporate Social Responsibility Standards” 
  • “The Effect of Single Mothers on the Development of Costa Rica” 
  • “Immigration and Violence: Youth and the Transnational Crime Network”       

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