The Caux Scholars Program is moving full speed ahead into its 21st year! We received over 50 applications from over 30 countries. The applicants ranged in age from 21 to 42 and hailed from countries as diverse as Syria, Kenya, Tajikistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sudan, Myanmar, and the US!

The Caux Scholars class of 2012 have each written a letter back to the Caux Scholars community. Many describe what they took away from the program and how they are applying what they learned in their lives now. We share their letters with you.

Frédéric Chavanne rinde tributo a Michel Kipoke, un hombre que luchó por la paz.

Mohsen Solhdoost (CSP 2010), from Iran, is currently doing a Master’s Degree in Australia. He is an International Rotary Peace Fellow. He writes: Power can be defined as the capacity and propensity to use force, but not only military force. Power can be defined in economic terms as a kind of coercive diplomacy where one state can enforce economic sanctions as a strategy to make another state change its behavior without resorting to military action.

Saira Bano Orakzai (CSP 2010), from Pakistan, recently completed her PhD at the University of New England in Australia. She sent this reflection on her return to Pakistan in December: The conflict which erupted in Pakistan in wake of the war or terror has changed the society at all levels. Its impact on gender, sectarian, and ethnic relations needs an approach which disconnects the cycle of violence from a systemic level and brings it down to the local level in society.

Sai Thiha (CSP 2012), from Burma/Myanmar, is finishing his BA in Economics at Berea College in Kentucky. He writes about his country: With its rich natural resources, young labor force, and current political and economic reform, Burma/Myanmar could become the next economic frontier in Asia.

It was a solemn assembly. A handful of women had gathered at the home of Nelisiwe to support her as she opened the briefcase of her deceased son for the first time in 10 years. Nelisiwe’s son was one of many young activists who had given their lives in the struggle for liberation from South Africa’s oppressive Apartheid regime.

Amidst the low rumble of voices and the clatter of plates and silverware, I sat down to what would prove to be a remarkable lunch with Dr. Glenda Eoyang, one of the founding voices in the Human Systems Dynamics Institute.

"La mayor fortaleza de Iniciativas de Cambio son las personas que empiezan con ellas mismas y actúan localmente pero piensan globalmente", dijo la Dra. Omnia Marzouk, Presidenta de Iniciativas de Cambio Internacional, al hablar en la Embajada de Suiza en Washington, DC, en un evento celebrando los 20 años del programa de Estudios de Caux y para recaudar fondos para el programa de 2012.

“The greatest strength of Initiatives of Change is people who start with themselves and take action locally but think globally,” said Dr. Omnia Marzouk, International President of Initiatives of Change, speaking at the Swiss Embassy in Washington, DC, at an occasion to celebrate 20 years of the Caux Scholars Program and raise funds for the 2012 class.