As representatives of the Pilot, we hope to transition into the real world with an appreciation for advocacy and critical thinking.  We believe our professors have fostered within us a love for learning that will carry us through all future pursuits. We appreciate our outstanding abroad programs, which have encouraged us to develop a strong worldview. We remember the host of speakers who have urged Principia audiences to get up and get involved and promote worthy causes. These memories make the prospect of watching our futures unfold all the more exciting.

Principia has been a great community to serve for the past four years, and we are exceedingly grateful to all who have helped us along the way. Thank you to our wonderful staff who write, take photos and design for the magazine, and a special thanks to those dedicated few who stay up until 7 a.m. finalizing the layout or have had to leave Pilot Night “early” for an ornithology class bird walk at 6 a.m. We would also like to thank our dedicated and insightful faculty advisor Paul Van Slambrouck and our College President Dr. Jonathan Palmer for their input and guidance.

Of course, the work we do would not be possible without this community’s support and receptivity. Thank you to those who have selflessly given their time to help our publication with interviews, letters to the editor, creative submissions, and more.

We would also like to take this opportunity to formally introduce the incoming Pilot editorial staff for the 2012-2013 academic year. Vincent Herr will serve as Managing Editor, with Ben Frederick as Assigning Editor, Liza Hagerman as Production Editor, Stuart Foti as Design Editor and Kelsy Brawn as Photo Editor. We have been in close contact with this group for the past several weeks and we look forward to seeing the fruitage of their efforts in the fall.

Peace out, Principia.  It’s been real.

Maija Baldauf and Ken Baughman

I wanted to comment on the Letter to the Editor by Tim Dixon that appeared in the April edition of the Pilot.

Mr. Dixon says that the response of the college last spring to cases involving drug dealing and theft was “shocking” because the college “took a hard line with the wrongdoers and worked with local police.”  He then goes on to discuss Principia’s rule-making, ending with the statement that “Principia MUST give up the notion that their rules define right and wrong.  God tells us what is right and wrong and students can be trusted to make use of this line of communication.”

We should remember that the People of the State of Illinois, not Principia, have made the rules that say dealing in drugs and theft is wrong.  Not only Principia, but society considers these to be serious offenses, and most colleges throughout the country would work with local police on cases involving these offenses.

Sincerely,
Colin Treworgy
Principia College ’74

During their time in Paris, the students visited museums including the world-famous Louvre. photo courtesy of Carlie Sanderude

But there are also these moments: ordering a croissant and a café au lait in Paris for the first time without stumbling and having the man behind the counter switch to speaking English; getting stopped in the streets of Paris and getting asked for directions, in French, and then being able to answer helpfully, in French; getting complimented by real French people who don’t know you (and are therefore not obligated to be nice) that you speak sans accent; finding that you have a formidable enough command of the language to ask the public transportation bus driver if he can stop and let you out because you realized you missed your stop. Or now, I can even interview French professionals about education, religion, social class, immigration, and women’s issues – in French. Can’t say I understand a lot of their responses, but I’m becoming very good at appearing as if I do (plenty of nodding and eye contact). Plus that’s what the advanced students taking notes in my group are for.

Learning a foreign language is about much more than gaining linguistic fluency. In fact, I have found that I am in the process of becoming more fluent in multiple languages at once. You know them, too. Patience and humility I have mentioned, but there is also confidence, and trust. When you’re in a foreign country and your speaking skills are far less than perfect, you just have to go for it and trust those around you to help you. Because you are far more helpless than usual. I am finding that language reveals just how reliant on each other we really are. Mere verbal fluency in a language can lull us into a false sense of autonomy and independence: “Oh, I can handle this. I understand. I’m good at communicating. I don’t need to ask for directions.” Well, guess what? You can’t do any of that anymore because you sound like a four-year-old. You have to lean on those around you while revealing your need and vulnerability. You have to be that guy who awkwardly enters the conversation at the wrong time. You have to be that guy who speaks two words a minute. You have to be that guy who asks others how to read the map, the menu, the street signs, the museum guides, who needs help buying bus tickets. And you thought you could do all that on your own now, didn’t you? Welcome to the “romanticism” of learning a foreign language.

However, as I mentioned, as you slowly improve your linguistic fluency, you are probably advancing much more quickly in your other language muscles: patience, humility, confidence, and trust. I am learning to pay attention to my progress in speaking, but more in living these languages. In actuality, being the most freakishly polyglot-ish person in the world is no comparison to the grace, power, presence and beauty of well-articulated patience, eloquent humility, perfectly punctuated confidence, and the melodious accent of trust. Who gives a darn about learning French? I mean, really. Don’t get me wrong, because I love it. Yet, in the big scheme of things (and the little), no one cares and it doesn’t do squat in the way of making you a better person.

Paris' famous Arc de Triomphe sits at the western end of the Champs-Elysees. photo courtesy of Carlie Sanderude

So, perhaps it is not that you are learning a foreign language, like French, that matters. I believe the primary issue is how are you learning French. Are you building your linguistic fluency or are you toning your other language muscles? (Hopefully both). Because these are the languages we live life with, the languages that shape our words, our relationships, our happiness, and our humanity.

Learning a language is what you make of it. It could be embarrassment and the passé composé instead of l’imparfait for seven weeks on a college abroad to France, or it could be made of the stuff of life itself. Choose. Trust me when I say that now I know why we learn languages. They are the currents, the structures, of life. They are the languages of authentic living, purposeful interaction, and blessed being. Speak with your heart and you are heard:
“When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts.” – Mary Baker Eddy

Jay Amuka
Jay Amuka is one of just a few international students to earn a degree in theater at Principia College. Throughout the last four years he has participated in several major productions and plays, including classics, contemporary pieces, and musicals. In 2011, Jay studied theatre on a professional level in England as part of the fall abroad. Upon his return, he portrayed Pericles in Shakespeare’s play of the same name. Before coming to Principia, Jay had not planned to declare a theater major. After taking classes with Professor Trish Brown, however, it became clear that acting was the path he wanted to pursue. Jay told the Pilot why he loves theatre so much, saying: “Acting enables me to see the world from a different person’s perspective.” Besides landing major acting roles on the Principia stage, Jay was also one of a handful of students to participate in Dance Production for four years and had the opportunity to choreograph two original pieces – both dramatic and skillful duets – in the 2011 and 2012 productions. After graduation, Jay will continue his theater training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. He is looking forward to applying his achievements and experiences as a motion picture actor beyond that.

Nicole Tisdell
Nicole Tisdell is a unique senior in many regards. Though she is a business administration major, Nicole has maintained an interest in performing arts. During her freshman year, Nicole played Eileen Sherwood, the lead role in the Musical “Wonderful Town.” This experience, one of her biggest Principia highlights, also fit well with Nicole’s music minor. Nicole served as a Sunday church soloist several times and plans to use her vocal training and experience after graduation. Nicole choreographed her own piece for this year’s Dance Production, which she worked to prepare for several months leading up to the show. Overall, Nicole has always enjoyed the rich and diverse possibilities Principia has to offer: “I would like to express gratitude for an unlimited amount of opportunities here at Principia College to explore and expand upon all of my interests.” After graduation, Nicole hopes to pursue a career in the fields of marketing, social events planning, and graphic design. Nicole says she would  ultimately love to create her own business and pursue her passion for piano, organ, and vocal performance.

Greg Ball
When one considers the number of incredible athletes at Principia College, Greg Ball is sure to come to mind. While graduating with a degree in mass communication, Greg spent the majority of his time outside class on the baseball field. Greg played four seasons of baseball in college and reflects positively on his Principia athletic career. His activities, however, were certainly not limited to baseball. Greg says he enjoyed living in Lowrey and participating in house events as well as winning intramural basketball two years in a row. Other interests and highlights include bird watching with friends, broadcasting on Principia Internet Radio, serving as an Admissions Ambassador during visiting weekends, serving on Student Senate, and participating in the Winter 2010 Hawaii Field Study Program. Looking back on his four years at the College, Greg gives this advice to younger students: “Take it all in because it goes by too fast. Experience everything Prin has to offer, and don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone to try something new.” Overall, Greg acknowledges that he will miss the Principia baseball team most after graduation. Fortunately, however, Greg can continue to pursue his passion. Following a recommendation from former baseball coach Pete Paciorek, Greg will travel to Europe this summer and play professionally in Sweden.

Alicia Girbes-Pierce

When you ask Alicia Girbes-Pierce about her personal highlights as a Principia student, she will tell you about two experiences. Most people will probably guess her first response : soccer! Alicia played on the women’s soccer team for four years and says she has had her greatest spiritual growth and discoveries on the field ith her team. Alicia, herself a very successful offensive player, is sure to take those lessons attained in practice and competitions with her after graduation. Alicia’s second highlight of college career is studying abroad. Alicia went on the Guatemala and Peru Abroads and had the chance to perfect her highly proficient Spanish skills. In addition, the Spanish major traveled around six Latin American countries with one of her teammates on an independent abroad. Now Alicia is finishing her degree with a special focus on Hispanic studies and a minor in sociology and anthropology. Graduation certainly won’t limit Alicia’s global interest and focus. She recently bought a one-way plane ticket to Spain and is planning to stay there at least a year to better acquaint herself with Spanish culture and language. Alicia has Spanish ancestry and is looking forward to living in Europe and hopefully playing soccer with the Spaniards, who are currently soccer world champions.

Kendall McMurray
If you have ever wondered what art majors spend their time doing in Voney, you might want to talk to Kendall McMurray. Graphic design and art are an important part in her life, which you can tell by looking at her pieces on display in Voney, Radford, or the Marshall Brooks Library. Besides these interests, Kendall was also member of the Solar Car team and had the opportunity to travel to Australia with her teammates in 2009. Kendall also traveled to Hawaii, Greece and Turkey on two separate Principia abroads. The last program was specifically focused on art and art history and thus perfectly suited to Kendall’s major. While the abroads were highlights of her college life, Kendall enjoyed the general atmosphere at Principia: “Principia has such a precious environment in which we, as individuals and as a community, are inspired to grow. I will miss being able to walk, in quiet reflection, along the bluffs, [working] late nights in the art studio blasting music and laughing with friends and deepening friendships with the wonderful people that walk this campus.”
Originally from California, Kendall is now looking at job opportunities in Colorado, one of her favorite states. She recently applied for a graphic design position at the Olympics Training Facility and is now waiting to schedule an interview with the organization in Colorado Springs.

The graphics majors are Benjamin Black, Bekah Charlston, Alyssa Cheatham, Drew Clark, Jessica Dunlap, Stuart Foti, Jon Hammond, Felix Setordzie, Samuel Thomas, Marina Whitney, and Ken Baughman. The fine arts majors are Gabrielle Alioto, Genevieve Bergeson, Caroline Korthals, and Kendall McMurray.

The work included in this exhibit is among the most powerful and compelling work completed during each student’s time at Principia. As capstone portfolio instructor Duncan Martin said, “[The exhibit] goes beyond the things that people have been doing in class to something that actually expresses themselves.”  Martin observed his students increasingly expressing their individuality as the show approached.

The gallery was launched on April 21 with an opening show held for the public.  The event was well-received, and over 100 students, faculty, administrators, and community members attending. Visitors were able to browse the gallery and discuss works with the artists.

In addition to the visual works featured in 11 + 4, each student wrote an artist statement and autobiography as part of their capstone writing class with Assistant Professor Danne Rhaesa. These selections inform visitors of the purpose and direction of each artist’s work. The gallery also features a collection of portraits taken by Thomas to introduce viewers to the artists.

Martin recalls that at the beginning of the semester, Rhaesa and he had posed the questions: “Who are you as a designer?  Or an artist? What distinguishes you from everybody else? What is it that’s important to you?”  The answers to these questions are evident in the work on display in this year’s senior show.  A wonderful diversity in both medium and style makes 11 + 4 a very captivating display, as each piece is distinct.  It is clear from this exhibit that these seniors are all finding their artistic niche and have powerful work to take with them after graduation.

The public is cordially invited to visit the exhibit at their leisure until commencement this May. The work is currently on display in the Maybeck Gallery of Radford Art Studio at the bottom of the Chapel Green.

England – Fall 2014

Chrissy Steele, a theater professor, and Heidi Snow of the English department will embark on another trip to England in the fall of 2014.

The program will look much like it has in previous years, including acting classes at the Globe Theatre in London, individual research at The British Library and a full-cast Shakespeare production on campus following the in-country experience.

But according to Steele and Snow, these traditional programs will place heavier emphasis on the question of what it means to be an artist  – both in Shakespeare’s lifetime and in today’s world. Steele acknowledges that the question will largely center around the performing arts, but she also adds: “I think Heidi and I have talked about wanting to also be aware of art in other places and the inspiration that comes from seeing the world through an artist’s eyes.”

Snow highlights the unique nature of the Principia abroad by explaining that other schools sponsor programs that allow students to study at the Globe or at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon. She adds that very few programs allow students to experience both and none she has heard of expect abroad participants to return to campus and put on a play. Snow says: “Even if students are feeling that they’re completely out of their comfort zone in terms of their acting, they know they have no choice. They’re going to come back on campus and they’re going to have to stand on stage and they’re going to have to present this character in a believable way.”

Both Steele and Snow point out that the England Abroad is open to all majors, as everyone should be willing to challenge him or herself and each other and try new things in terms of performance and study.

Steele explains: “You really do have to work together, support each other, challenge each other so that there’s this group dynamic that develops that’s really special.”

The Middle East – January 2015

Janessa Gans Wilder, founder of the Principia-based Euphrates Institute, and Barry Huff of the religion and philosophy department will tag-team a four-week abroad to the Middle East in January 2015.

Wilder explains the theme of the pilot program as central to the concept of peace and transformation, which ties “the ancient and historical piece to the modern-day conflict that’s actually going on.”

Wilder served for five years as a U.S. government political analyst on the Middle East and has recently led two separate trips to the region – one with Euphrates and the CELL program and one with an adult group earlier this year. As a diplomat, Wilder first traveled to Israel in 2006 and crossed into Bethlehem without a military escort to talk with Palestinian shopkeepers about the conflict. Wilder explains that she was “totally hooked” from that moment on.

As a religion professor, Huff is looking forward to watching students see the Bible “come alive” as they explore the sites featured in the New and Old Testaments. Huff explains that he is excited “to study the Bible not just in a classroom in School of Government 201, but to actually study biblical texts in lands where they were written and where many of the events they portray occurred.”

Huff first experienced Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan as part of an independent course in college. Huff returned to the region while working on his Ph.D. and “has taken 49 courses related to the history and literature of ancient Israel, taught fourteen courses on this topic, and given over 250 talks on the Bible,” according to a brief professional biography presented to the Abroad Office.

Both Huff and Wilder explain that the January 2014 program will provide an interdisciplinary look at a region and a conflict “that more than any other in the world needs healing,” as Wilder explains it.

Argentina – Spring 2015

Paul Van Slambrouck, an associate professor in the mass communication department and co-leader of the Spring 2015 Argentina Abroad alongside language professor Cecily Quintanilla, says the trip is centrally focused on the question of leadership in a country with a long history of violence and upheaval. He explains the period of military rule between 1976 and 1983 as a “hugely convulsive period” for Argentina in which many young people were disappeared and targeted by the government. Van Slambrouck poses the question: “If you do that to your next generation of leaders … how do you recover?”

According to Van Slambrouck, who says he has a strong interest in South American culture, Argentina is currently at a critical moment in its history. The country is coming out of the extreme economic meltdown of 2000 and is currently under the government of a woman president, which suggests a kind of progressive trend within Argentine culture. By the time the Principia group travels abroad in 2015, the country will be ramping up toward yet another pivotal election.

Van Slambrouck explains that the issue of leadership extends beyond the world of politics into civic organizations, non-profits, and the arts community. He also notes that students may find this demonstration of leadership culturally different from what we’ve grown accustomed to as Americans.

Although in-country travel plans have yet to be finalized, Van Slambrouck explains that while the group will spend time in Buenos Aires – a high fashion, European-style city with a strong café culture – he hopes to experience “the other Argentina,” including possibly rural Patagonia or Igauzu Falls on the border between Argentina and neighboring Brazil.

While Van Slambrouck and Quintanilla are affiliated with specific departments on campus, the Argentina abroad is open to applications from all majors and class levels.

India and Nepal – Spring 2015

Sociology professor Sally Steindorf and philosophy professor Chris Young will team up to combine two abroad programs – India and Nepal – for the first time in Spring 2015.

Although details of the trip have yet to be finalized, Steindorf and Young envision a fairly even split in time spent between the two countries. Although both programs will be abridged to make room for travel between the two countries, Young says he would love to repeat a two-week trek in the Jumla region of Nepal, which he describes as having been “an overwhelming success” on the 2010 abroad.

The fall 2010 Nepal Abroad also included a week of travel in India, and Young explains that the thought of spending more time in that part of the world is exciting to him.

Steindorf says one of her favorite parts of the India Abroad experience is the variety of research opportunities students have, including extensive interviews with locals. In addition to academic, ethnographic research, both professors envision this experience as a chance for students to use a medium of their choice – radio, video or writing – to document the stories they discover while abroad.

Steindorf says she hopes students will develop a stronger global awareness on this abroad. Steindorf reflects on her experience as a student on a Principia Abroad with John Williams as a moment when she first realized she would like to study and live abroad after college. She adds: “And so I just feel like if that part of the abroad can inspire someone else in the same way to want to live abroad, whether it’s through a P.h.D program or through the Peace Corps” that would be a special benefit of having led another abroad.

While Steindorf and Young are still working to determine final courses for the abroad, Young says in the meantime: “I look at the classes on abroads as having a primary responsibility of getting students completely involved in the culture instead of being a passive tourist … the classes should offer ways of getting them to immerse themselves completely.”

Kazakhstan – May 2015

John Williams, a professor in the political science department, will lead a trip to Kazakhstan in May 2015. The four-week abroad will give students an opportunity to better understand the concept of nation building as it applies to a country established just twenty ago. Williams explains that when the Soviet Union collapsed, the Kazakh people suddenly had the chance to create their own sense of nationhood after having been “absorbed” into Russian culture and heritage for several hundred years.

According to Williams, the people of Kazakhstan inherited a number of problems from the Soviet regime, including the atrocious degradation of the Aral Sea and use of land for nuclear testing, which left strips of land barren and unusable. Consequently, Williams explains that the problem-solving skills which have emerged in Kazakhstan demonstrate that its people don’t “paper over what they’re facing.”

Williams hopes to introduce students to a culture and a setting most Americans know little about – especially if their understanding of the country is informed largely by the movie Borat.

In reality, Kazakhstan has developed into a dynamic, multifaceted and multicultural nation. The new capital, Astna, was developed just within the past ten years. Williams describes it as a “boom town” that developed seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The big city of Almaty and the mosques and madrasa of the south help to illustrate the range of experience Kazahkstan has to offer.

Williams says: “It’s that entire span of almost modern European to a throwback to the old Kazakh tribes.”

Williams, who developed a global perspective as a child growing up in India and Thailand, says he is always looking for ways to expand his horizons. As much as the abroad will provide students with historical, political and cultural knowledge, Williams explains that his true purpose for traveling is character development and spiritual growth.

Iceland Abroad

While the Principia community winds down toward the end of yet another school year, the Iceland Abroad group ramps up for a three-week trip starting two days after commencement. Lauren Hinchman, who is leading the trip with support from Anderson House Resident Counselor Reid Charlston, explained that the students participating in the abroad have been enthusiastically preparing all term.

In an effort to help the group get to know one another, Hinchman explains that each student has been paired with a new peer group each week and expected to spend some time together socially outside weekly abroad preparation classes. Hinchman says that everyone is expected “to write a short paragraph about each person from their group that week and talk about why they’re excited to get to know that person better…”

Hinchman adds: “Most of the classes we … start with some kind of teambuilding or bonding icebreaker-type activity.”

In addition to group bonding, Hinchman noted a focus on readings about Icelandic culture and lessons on geography, history and the environment. The focus of this mini-abroad is sustainability and conservation and will include in-country coursework with Dave Oakes of the CELL program – otherwise known as the Center for Ecological Living and Learning. According to Hinchman, Oakes “has led many abroad groups in Iceland and is looking forward to teaming with Principia for this program.”

Vincent Herr, a junior and Iceland Abroad participant, explains the ecological focus of the trip with great enthusiasm. He says: “The abroad will focus a lot on the idea of sustainablity and ecological living, something everybody can and should learn about. I am excited to see new ideas of how to live with our environment in a sustainable and peaceful way and how to use this knowledge to progress a specific society as a whole – whether the Icelandic society or any other in the world.”

As much as the group has already prepared to travel abroad, Hinchman adds: “At the same time I’m intentionally keeping it a little bit mysterious. I’m not telling them everything. I don’t want to set in stone any preconceived notions.”

One thing that is firmly established is the group’s “home base” at the Solheimar EcoVillage, a small, largely self-sustaining farming community for mentally challenged adults. Hinchman noted that the men and women who live on the farm are treated very kindly, “as though they don’t have any limitations.”

In addition to experiencing life on the farm, the abroad students will have the chance to participate in several day trips, including an all-day hike up a Snæfellsnes glacier, which happens to be located on top of a volcano. Hinchman notes: “This all-day challenge, where students will be wearing crampons and carrying ice axes, will certainly push students both physically and metaphysically.”

The group of seventeen will also stay overnight on the Westman Islands, home to the largest breeding puffin colony in the world. Another highlight includes planting enough trees to offset the group’s carbon footprint for the entirety of the program, including air travel.

In an effort to help the group et to know one another, Hinchman added that each student is paired with a new peer group each week and expected to spend some time together socially outside weekly abroad preparation classes. Hinchman said that everyone is expected “to write a short paragraph about each person from their group that week and talk about why they’re excited to get to know that person better…”

In addition to roup bonding, Hinchman noted a focus on readings about Icelandic culture and lessons on geography, history and the environment. The focus of the min-abroad is sustainability and conservation and will include in-country coursework with Dave Oakes of the CELL program [can you elaborate a bit on what you might like to explain about CELL?]

photo courtesy of Brent Bennett

As much as the group has prepared to travel abroad, Hinchman said: “At the same time I’m intentionally keeping it a little bit mysterious. I’m not telling them everything. I don’t want to fix in stone any preconceived notions.”

One thing that is fixed in stone is the group’s “home base” at the Solheimar EcoVillage, a small, largely self-sustaining farming community for mentally challenged adults. Hinchman noted that the men and women who live on the farm are treated very kindly, “as though they don’t have any limitations.”

In addition to experiencing life on the farm, the abroad students will have the chance to participate in several day trips, including an all-day like up a glacier on top of a volcano. Although Hinchman noted that the event may not be the most academic element of the trip, trekking with crampons and ice axes will certainly be memorable. The group of seventeen will also stay overnight on the Westman Islands, home to the largest puffin colony in the world. Another highlight includes planting enough trees to offset the group’s carbon footprint for the entirety of the program, including air travel.

Dave Oakes from CELL…a big part of the coursework in Iceland
Counting off, numbers in Icelandic…learning a little bit over there … everyone we’ll be in contact with speaks English over there.
‘There’s not much of a need for it except cultural exposure”
planning trip in October to Iceland. … went everywhere we’re going.

All day hike on a glaciar…glacier on top of a volcano
Will be a memorable experience.
Crampons and ice axes
Overnights on Westman Islands….largest puffin colony in the world.
Home base at Solheimer (eco-village) … challenges people live there and operate almost self-suffieciently
Treat them as though they don’t have any limitations. Take great care of them

The purpose of the course is a combination of things. We’re setting a metaphysical foundation for how we will operate on the abroad, and so we start every class section with readings that the students are taking time to prepare. Most of the classes we also start with some kind of teambuilding or bonding icebreaker-type activity.
Reading assignments that have been helping them to learn about Icelandic culture as well as geography, history, a little about the envro
Learning names of places

Reminders to be getting in shape, lots of walking/hiking
Many of them haven’t traveled internationally …
Weekly assignments “I put them in groups of four and they have a homework assignment that is to get together socially for an hour just to get to know each other and then they have to write a little short paragraph about each person from their group that week and talk about why they’re excited to get to know that person better and why they’re happy they’ll be abroad with them.
Each week they’re with a group of people they haven’t met before
“It’s a very diverse group. It’s almost even we have 15 so it can’t be perfectly … about half of them are biology, environmental science folks and the others are not.
Sustainability and conservation

Supported by Stanford’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, AMENDS hosted its first summit earlier this month at Stanford University, from April 10-14, after selecting 40 youth leaders representing 17 countries from a large pool of applicants. The delegates were paired up before the summit based on their regions and interests and assigned mentors with whom to discuss and develop their initiatives.

In an article from the Stanford University News, AMENDS co-founder Elliot Stoller said, “We wanted them to learn from each other, to figure out how to do what they’re doing better, to ensure to them a network of like-minded people and, ultimately, to empower them and amplify their voices.”

The 40 delegates included Iraqi Firas Al-Dabbagh, a founder of the Islam Counter Extremism Network, Mohammad Aljishi of Saudi Arabia, founder of a Society of Activists for Human Empowerment, Lubna Alzaroo, Palestinian founder of “Sharing Stories,” and Principia’s own Heather Libbe, who graduated in 2011 and is currently the Euphrates Institute’s Fellows Program Manager. Libbe gave her 10-minute AMENDS talk (à la TED talks) about the Euphrates Fellows program during a session on April 11. Sessions were titled “Technology, Social Media, and Innovation,” “Building Civil Society,” “Peace and Conflict Resolution,” and “The New Middle East.”

Libbe said: “Participating in AMENDS helped me see that it is possible for people from all over the world to come together for dialogue. I definitely gained a deeper appreciation for heads of state who have to do this on a much larger scale, representing entire nations in the decisions they are making. This helped me realize the importance of metaphysically supporting these individuals each day.”

In addition to their own AMENDS talks, delegates took part in an opening ceremony with an address by Prince Moulay Hicham of Morocco, a leadership dinner, a networking dinner, and two sessions of speeches and panel discussions by various world leaders, from Sami Ben Gharbia, a Tunisian political activist and Foreign Policy Top 100 Thinker to Thomas Riley, the former US Ambassador to Morocco.

Libbe added, “It was also really fun for me to be able to share Euphrates, Principia and Christian Science with individuals from all different backgrounds. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to meet inspiring individuals from all over the Middle East and hear about their initiatives. It’s pretty neat to be able to talk to people from Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Territories all in one day!”

Both the AMENDS Global Summit and the Euphrates Summit: Our World Beyond 9/11 last October brought together agents of change working to bring peace and well-being to their communities and countries. Similar to the young AMENDS delegates, Euphrates’ Warriors for Peace, first featured at last year’s summit, are individuals under 40 working toward peace and/or sustainability in the Middle East.

Here at Principia, next year’s Public Affairs Conference will focus on “Empowering Youth Around the World”— another opportunity to connect and inspire the young people just beginning their careers in our rapidly changing global village.