Peace and Conflict Studies Institute (PACSI)

The goal of the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute (PACSI) is to promote education, research and practice concerning peace and conflict issues, in both the UMass Lowell and greater-Lowell communities. We focus on

• Conflicts at all levels—from local to national to global.
  
  
• Social injustice (based on race, gender, economics, sexual orientation, etc.) and environmental degradation and their connections to conflicts and violence.
  
  
• Positive alternatives to war and violence, such as conflict resolution—these are often best learned through participatory, "hands-on" activities.
  
  

We are pleased to announce that students can now obtain a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

The 2012 Greeley Peace Scholar will be John Prendergasat, a human rights activist and best-selling author who has worked for peace in Africa for over 25 years. He is the co-founder of the Enough Project, an initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity affiliated with the Center for American Progress.

Prendergast will be the speaker at the 17th annual Day Without Violence, which has been held held every April since 1996. PACSI sponsors and cosponsors several additional lectures and discussions each semester.

We collaborate with a wide range of people and organizations, both on campus and in the wider community.