Stage 1: Imagining
Stage One: Imagining
At this stage, we invite you to think expansively about how you want to contribute to a more peaceful world.
Even if you already have a specific project idea or location in mind, use this stage to explore the values and assumptions that led you to that idea, and to entertain alternatives. Invite others to imagine possibilities with you.
Watch this video to hear how Heather Neuwirth Lovejoy advises students at this stage.
Questions About Imagining
What should I do to get started?
You might begin with some reflection. Try asking yourself:
- What is peace?
- What’s important to me? What’s important to my communities?
- What issues motivate me? What approaches energize me?
- Who shares this vision with me? What alternate perspectives do I need to seek out?
- What are my strengths, resources, and areas of weakness?
- What collaborations do I envision?
- What can I do now to get to know potential partners, their interests, their strengths, and their availability?
- What criteria should I use to prioritize my ideas so that I have a feasible plan?
Where can I look for inspiration and guidance?
A great place to start is a meeting with your campus liaison. You’ll want details about Projects for the Peace timeline and campus-specific requirements. In addition, you might try:
- Check out our Annual Viewbooks to explore past projects. There, you will find project maps, photos, and quotes from project reflections (final reports). You can also find a full list of past projects on our Project Archive page of this website.
- Finding thought partners who support you and challenge you.
- Researching your proposed issues, approaches, and locations. Who else is working on ideas similar to yours, and what they have learned? What conflicts or inequities exist that may be pertinent? What’s going well that you might build on?
Additional Resources
Relevant resources for the imagination stage will be added here as they become available. If you need further guidance, reach out to your campus liaison for support.
Insights and Inspirations: A Conversation with Projects for Peace Alumni
Held virtually on April 17, 2023, “Insights and Inspirations: A Conversation with Projects for Peace Alumni” was the first official Projects for Peace community event.
Moderated by Assistant Director Kristen Mullins, the panel featured recent program alumni Saif Abdelrasol, Ana Stambolic, and Simran Thapa.
Topics covered include tips for project implementation, reflections on project challenges and successes, how Projects for Peace has impacted panelists’ professional and academic paths, and much more.