Printer FriendlyA major focus at PACSI is preventing violence and war, and constructive approaches to conflict. Learning about this topic is often best done through non-verbal communication and hands-on training. We realize that promoting conflict resolution and violence prevention skills requires the involvement of very diverse groups.
In this work, we make particular efforts to work with young people and collaborate with off-campus youth agencies.
Current Activities
Our main focus is on partnering with Barbara Hildt, founder and director of Youth Empowerment Services, Inc. Ms Hildt is a specialist in youth development and violence prevention, and has been a Peace Corps volunteer, a teacher, a legislator and a community organizer. She was national President of Women’s Action for New Directions.
Barbara has conducted dozens of workshops for young people and others, mainly using the approach developed by the Help Increase the Peace Program (HIPP). A key features of HIPP is: how to establish peaceable norms of behavior with youth groups.
For more information, contact Barbara, 978-388-3647, or visit Empower the Youth.
Previous Activities
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Days Without Violence - In 1997, 1998 and 1999, youth leaders from greater Lowell brought youth groups to UML for participatory exercises, dances, etc. In other years, we organized hands-on events that were open to all members of the UMass Lowell community, regarding conflict resolution, social justice and dialogue across religious/ideological lines.
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Alternatives to Violence Project Workshops - Held in 1992, 1993 and 1997.
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We helped design a mentoring program for UML students partnered with youth agencies in Lowell, that became part of the course “Community Conflict Resolution” taught by Professor John MacDougall, one of our co-directors. This was part of a two-part series of panel discussions in fall 1997 on mentoring in general. Panelists were UML faculty/staff together with practitioners from the community.
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Other Lectures and Discussions — see especially the section “On local-level conflicts and conflict resolution.”