SPI: THE FIRST FOUR YEARS

Gloria Rhodes

   As I write this article, I am preparing to depart my position as Administrative Director of SPI and as Communications and Resource Coordinator in the Conflict Transformation Program (CTP). I have resigned my position and will be pursuing a doctorate at George Mason University this Fall. With this perspective, my reflections have spilled out over and beyond SPI 1999 to the entire span of four years that I have been involved in SPI.

   I have been happy to be a part of helping SPI to grow and change as needed over the four years. Our first Summer Institute built upon the foundation of the two previous Frontiers in Peacebuilding seminars offered by the Conflict Transformation Program in 1994 and 1995. Those two seminars, while relatively short and with fewer participants, provided a framework for building SPI and assured us that people were interested in pursuing training in conflict transformation and peacebuilding. In 1996 when we received a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts to expand the Frontiers workshops, we were ready to offer a full-fledged Summer Institute.

   The grant funded my position as the then Coordinator of SPI under Director Ron Kraybill. That first year, we had 128 students and offered 11 courses. In 1997, continuing the trend of growth, we offered 13 courses which attracted 163 participants. SPI initiated a new course structure, offering 15 classes in five sessions of three each for 151 participants. At each of these stages, we experienced growth in the number of classes, participants or demands. We have been on a learning curve -- trying to catch up and meet the needs that the broadened number of courses and increased participation created.

   I am happy to say that in 1999, through continuing the pattern of courses initiated in 1998, we seem to have come to a sustainable course structure where we are also able to meet the needs of participants.

   Looking back over these four years, I see that it has been a challenging and rewarding four years. I've received much and given much. One thing that made being involved with SPI especially rewarding was getting to know and broadening my relationship with many of you. I treasure the discussions I've had with you, the questions, the challenges, and the new understandings.  

   I have been especially happy to get to know others working in conflict resolution who are my age and gender. It's been particularly fun to get to know women working at various levels of conflict with whom I have many similarities and common interests. As women come in greater numbers to this field, it's rewarding to see stereotypes slowly being broken.  

   Over the years, I've also learned much about meeting the needs of people unfamiliar with U.S. culture and practice and I've gained some valuable teaching and facilitation experience. But more than any of these things, I've gained a personal sense of empowerment in the work of conflict transformation. SPI taught me that there is a community much larger than myself that is committed to building peace. When I myself have been discouraged, I am buoyed by the hope that someone else in the community is picking up where I left off. Thanks to all of you who have committed your lives to working toward non-violent responses to conflict and to sustaining peaceful relationships. I count you all as colleagues and friends in this work. I wish you all the very best and hope to see you again soon!