Students Seize Global Opportunities at World Summit for Nobel Peace Laureates

Honoring a tradition spanning nearly 20 years, Quinnipiac students are preparing to participate in this year’s World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. The students will travel to Monterrey, Mexico, to represent the next generation of peacebuilders and activists.

To strengthen Quinnipiac’s commitment to preparing students for engaged leadership and global education, the Albert Schweitzer Institute provides students with an annual opportunity to participate in this world-renowned forum and learn about these activities in an accessible and tangible way.

The World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates originated from Mikhail Gorbachev’s idea. Gorbachev established the summit with the intention of enabling organizations and individuals to come together to solve global problems and promote world peace.

Former Albert Schweitzer Institute Executive Director David Ives first made contact with the summit secretariat more than 20 years ago. Ives initially brought the Albert Schweitzer Institute to the event, establishing a tradition that continues today.

“The idea of ​​using the summits as a forum to inspire the next generation of peacemakers and changemakers came from there,” said Sean Duffy, executive director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute. “Students get to interact with engaged students from all over the world and really see themselves as a global generation of engaged young people who want to make a positive impact on the world.”

Tom Nassr (Class of 2015), who studied entrepreneurship and philosophy, had the opportunity to attend the summit during his undergraduate studies at Quinnipiac.

“I think it was and is one of the highlights of my academic career to be able to participate in an event like this,” Nassr said. “I think you have to be involved in the conversation, and no conversation, whether peaceful or otherwise, benefits from having like-minded people. You need that diversity of thought, diversity of knowledge, to achieve better results.”

As the 19th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates approaches, students are preparing for the event, which will take place from September 18 to 21. Upon arrival in Mexico, students will be greeted with a youth program orientation session, which will include guest speakers and activities. During this time, students will network with other students, participate in cultural tours and learn about the summit.

During the summit, students will participate in several morning sessions where a panel of laureates and representatives of laureate organizations will discuss the most pressing global issues.

In the afternoon, students will participate in various workshops, interacting with other students from around the world and connecting with the winners on a more personal level. In some of these workshops, also known as peace labs, students are encouraged to present their ideas for promoting peace and enter a competition to receive funds to implement their ideas.

After the summit, there will be a concert for all participants to listen to, performed by an artist committed to spreading peace.

By participating in this event, students have the opportunity to enhance both their academic and personal development by gaining groundbreaking knowledge, networking with world leaders and promoting their own ideas and opinions.

“The most obvious impact is simply inspiration,” Duffy said. “Hearing the stories of the winners and listening to them often makes the idea of ​​making a difference through individual action more tangible and imaginable.”

The summit is also a networking opportunity where students can connect with world leaders and discover how their discipline can contribute to the larger movement for peace.

This year, the Quinnipiac delegation is comprised of 36 members, including students, faculty, staff, and one alumni. The 19 students who will participate are majoring in a variety of fields, including psychology, political science, environmental science, English, biology, criminal justice, law, occupational therapy, and social work. Students are selected to join the delegation based on their interests and how the opportunity aligns with their personal and academic goals.

“This year, we have undergraduates from more than a dozen different disciplines, as well as graduate students from occupational therapy, social work and law school,” Duffy said. “We truly have exceptional students at Quinnipiac, and those who made the effort to apply for this opportunity are probably as committed as anyone on our campus, with their own unique experiences and the contributions they already make to their communities.”

In response to the Albert Schweitzer Institute’s commitment to supporting experiential learning and equal opportunity, the Institute has taken steps to provide financial assistance to students in need.

In addition to promoting goals and student experiences, the summit plays an important role in promoting a culture of peace and global citizenship at Quinnipiac.

“Summits are often one of the opportunities we have to engage relatively large numbers of students in an international experience across our campuses and programs,” Duffy said. “I hope they will be a catalyst for further engagement as students return to campus — engagement with each other and within their unique programs and pathways with themes and commitment to making a difference.”