The four students in this year’s International Peacemaking Program had a chance to tell their stories to a group of Seminary Corporators on Thursday evening.

The students — Doaa Baumi of Egypt, Yakubu Jakada of Nigeria, Pursenla Ozukum of Nagaland, India, and Elena Dini of Italy — each gave short presentations about the conflicts in their home countries and talked about how they would use the skills gained at Hartford Seminary when they return.

The Corporators — friends and supporters of the Seminary who have volunteered to promote the mission of and opportunities at the Seminary — gather periodically for updates on programs, events and people at the Seminary and to provide the administration with ideas about how the Seminary can be more effectively present in local religious and civic organizations.  Before the IPP students spoke, the Corporators heard an overview of recent Seminary accomplishments and efforts from President Heidi Hadsell.

During their presentations, several of the students mentioned the unique opportunity to live with people of other faiths in the Seminary’s housing. They also talked about the Seminary’s approach to interfaith dialogue and how it might help them further peacemaking efforts in their own countries.

Jonathan Lee, who coordinates the IPP program and is the Seminary’s Director of Institutional Advancement, said the four students have already started giving presentations in the community. Those will continue until the end of this academic year.

The IPP program  is for Christians, Muslims or Jews who live in overseas areas where there is interreligious conflict. Students in the International Peacemaking Program spend one academic year studying interfaith dialogue and leadership skills that also includes an emphasis on public engagement and public speaking skills. For more information about this scholarship program, which is supported by donations, contact Jonathan Lee at jlee@hartsem.edu or 860-509-9556.