Projects for Peace was created in 2007 through the generosity of Kathryn W. Davis, a lifelong internationalist and philanthropist who died in 2013 at 106 years of age. She is the mother of Shelby M.C. Davis who funds the Davis United World College Scholars Program currently involving 91 American colleges and universities. Mrs. Davis’ legacy lives on through the continuation of Projects for Peace in order to spark initiatives for building prospects for peace in the world. The Davis family and friends believe, like Mrs. Davis did, that today’s youth – tomorrow’s leaders – ought to be challenged to formulate and test their own ideas.
We hope to encourage student initiative, innovation and entrepreneurship focusing on conflict prevention, resolution or reconciliation. Some of the most compelling projects to date have reflected one or more of the following characteristics: contributing to conflict prevention; ameliorating conditions leading to violence/conflict; looking for and building on shared attributes among differing peoples, races, ethnicities, tribes, clans, etc.; fostering diplomacy or otherwise contribute to advancing peace processes underway; promoting economic opportunity and entrepreneurship among those in post-conflict areas; finding creative ways to bring people on opposite sides of issues together, such as through art, sports, music or other techniques to promote a common humanity; developing leadership and mediation skills training for those in conflict or post-conflict societies; starting or leveraging initiatives, organizations (e.g. education, health) or infrastructure projects to build/rebuild community. In general, projects should be building blocks for a sustainable peace. The overall program is intended to be worldwide in scope and impact, but specific projects may be undertaken anywhere, including in the U.S.
All current Macalester students (including seniors who would complete their projects after graduation) are eligible. All students, not just Davis UWC Scholars at those schools, are eligible. Groups of students (all from Macalester), as well as individual students, may submit proposals.
While Davis funding per project is limited to $10,000, projects with larger budgets are welcome and co-funding from other sources – such as other philanthropists, a college or university, foundation, NGO/PVO or students’ own fundraising – is encouraged.
Valeska Kohan ’23 and Amanda Souza ’25 worked to equip teachers in Rio de Janeiro with the resources to hold discussions on racial discrimination and anti-racist practices
Alice Bruno ’23 completed her summer 2022 project focused on increasing access to sex education in Sicily
Yosan Worota ’23 worked with Eritrean refugees on economic and professional empowerment. The above image is one of many original designs created by Eritrean refugees for sale on the website hereproject.org
