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Current Articles Indonesia Seminar 2009 (February 2008) Little Rock Cities Program (February 2008) Restorative Justice Work (February 2008) Interfaith Dialogue Initiative (February 2008) Ghost Ranch Workshop (January 2008) Local Training Opportunities (April 2007) Hong Kong/China Seminar 2008 (April 2007) Hartford Seminary Course (February 2007) Truth and Friendship Commission Update (January 2007) South Africa Seminar 2007 (January 2007) Aceh Peace Project Prospers (December 2006) Plowshares Celebrates 25th Anniversary (November 2006)

Little Rock Conflict Transformation Initiative
 
December 2007

Following meetings with a broad diversity of Little Rock community leaders, Plowshares staff and board members of  Just Communities of Central Arkansas (JCCA) planned three intensive workshops focused on skills of conflict transformation and community networking. Bob Evans and Barbara Headley, a consultant and trainer in the Hartford area, led the first of three sessions for approximately 40 different Little Rock residents each session over a six month period beginning in November. A separate session in April of 2008 will focus on equipping local trainers to develop skills and approaches to lead independently the workshops in Little Rock communities.  This workshop will also include Michael Mata, a Hispanic colleague from California, who will bring his extensive experience in conflict transformation to this workshop.

Although the course will be designed specifically to meet expressed needs in Little Rock, it will follow approaches that were originally developed in South Africa and adapted for communities in the U.S.  Plowshares staff has equipped numerous volunteer teams of community mediators and local trainers in several cities including Austin, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The staff is looking forward to working with energetic and dedicated community leaders in Little Rock.

The Clinton Library, located in Little Rock, has an exciting and highly competitive academic program in its new Masters degree in Public Service. The two-year degree, which includes in-depth experience in a developing country, is awarded by the University of Arkansas. Plowshares staff members have led an intensive introduction to community mediation for the first three groups of students. This past September the class included 30 students chosen from throughout the U.S., and included international students from Africa, Europe and Latin America. Students selected for the program must have previous outstanding life experience in the field of social service.

This is the first Master of Public Service (MPS) in the U.S. The curriculum focuses on working within a diverse ethnic and professional community, developing leadership skills, and conducting extensive cross-sectoral field work with non-profit organizations, business, and government.  The program aims to develop leaders able to work around the world to increase global equity.  The program includes field placements locally in the Mississippi River Delta and internationally around the globe