NEWS

"Reconsidering Peace in Liberal Arts 2025" Co-organized with Middlebury College -Workshop for Senior High School Students -

Update: September 1, 2025

【Reconsidering Peace in Liberal Arts ～Unwritten Futures: Imagine Peace, Create Tomorrow～】(English)

Period: August 6 (Wed.) - 9 (Sat.), 2025
Format: In person on the ICU campus（3 night-stay in on-campus student dormitory
Language qualification: Students should be able to participate in classes offered in English and have the English language ability to participate in discussions and presentations.
Quota: 34 students
Program Coordinators:
Sanae Eda (Linguistics), Sydney Low(MA Candidate, Middlebury Institute of International Studies), Yune Murayama (ICU student）
Guest speakers:
【ICU】Robert Eskildsen (History, Japan Studies), Ryosuke Fujinuma (Environmental Studies), Yumi Sato ICU & Middlebury Institute of International Studies Graduate (Master of Arts in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies)
【Middlebury College】Kristen Mullins (Intercultural and Global Programs)

The joint workshop with Middlebury College, an ICU partner institution and consistently ranked among the top 10 liberal arts colleges in the United States, is a four-day, three-night program conducted in English. It brings together participants from diverse backgrounds (returnees, international school students, overseas residents, etc.) and with varied values to explore their thoughts on "peace" through various activities. Guest speakers from Middlebury College (online) and ICU, including faculty members and alumni, gave lectures on "peace" from different fields of expertise. Even participants who were nervous at the beginning of the program began to actively discuss in English as the program progressed. Living together with peers of the same age at the dormitory and engaging in thorough discussions created an environment that seemed to be a good stimulus for the participants. On the final day, participants were given the challenge of "how to convey peace in their own words." They presented creative and innovative ideas, incorporating acting and videos, reflecting their creativity. Over the four days, participants experienced academic skills essential for university studies while exploring the concept of "peace" from various perspectives.

【Comments from participants】(Excerpt)

I enjoyed learning in a diverse community where people had unique perspectives. Discussions influenced me to realize new aspects and led me to the first step for peace building. This workshop was a lot different from passive learning, which I often experience at school, and I would like to continue learning from this liberal arts perspective from now on.
I think it was a great experience to have the opportunity to learn how to take in others opinion from liberal arts perspective. Learning things from different perspectives was definitely a great way to broaden my understanding of Peace.
From a liberal arts perspective, I learned that peace is best understood through many lenses such as history, culture, environment, and philosophy. The lectures and discussions showed me that different viewpoints can coexist and enrich each other. Working in English with diverse participants improved my communication skills and helped me practice empathy. Living and collaborating together also made me realize that peace grows from everyday dialogue and shared experiences.