CSP Guidelines
Each year, twenty (20) students from around the world are selected for 21-day course held in Caux during the Initiatives of Change global summer conferences. The program includes approximately 40 hours of academic classes, six hours per week of “Service for Leadership” practical work, a field trip to Geneva, and full participation in the Caux Forum conferences - 'Healing the Wounds of the Past' and 'Trust and Integrity in Democracy'.
While CSP is not affiliated with a university and does not offer credit, it is often possible for participants to secure credit through their own institution, in consultation with professor(s) and pursuant to their requirements. The program is willing to assist with the university credit process if notified within a timely manner.
Application Process
Applications for the 2023 session of the Caux Scholars Program in Caux, Switzerland, are now closed.
Instructions
Due to the volume of applications received, it is best to apply early well in advance of the deadline. Applications will be considered in the sequence that they arrive. In order to have a complete application for The Caux Scholars Program, we must receive the items listed below. Your application will not be considered for admission if it is incomplete.
When completing the online application, ensure that you fully answer all essay and financial questions listed. You must submit your current or most recent university transcripts.
Letter of recommendation: Supply two (2) written references, including at least one academic reference. These written references may be mailed directly to us in a sealed envelope or sent via email.
Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $25 is required for a complete application to be considered for admission. This fee can be paid through this link.
To pay by check or money order: Make the check to “CSP” and put your first and last name on the memo line.
Mail payment to the following address:
Initiatives of Change USA
303 West Broad St, Suite 325, Richmond, VA 23220
Tuition Fee: The total amount of tuition is USD 3,800, which must be paid in full before the start of the program.
Scholarship information: CSP offers one full (1) alumni scholarship per year. Through fundraising efforts, CSP offers partial and full merit-based and need-based scholarships that are given to scholars who have made important community contributions and who demonstrate leadership skills and a clear commitment to furthering the mission and values of CSP and Initiatives of Change in their chosen professional field(s). The Admissions Committee will review the files starting shortly after the deadline. Prospective candidates will be contacted for interviews.
The Alumni Scholarship
At the CSP reunion held at Caux in 2008, an alumni focus group agreed on the need for a greater number of participants from countries directly affected by conflict. Our hope is that the recipient of the CSP Alumni Scholarship will return to her/his home country, after benefiting from training in conflict transformation, restorative justice and peacebuilding, and contribute directly to the change process within the communities that they live and work.
After this reunion, a passionate appeal was made to the participants to make this proposal a reality by creating a fund to sponsor one scholar from 2009 onwards. USD 1,400 was raised among four scholars within three days for this initial effort. This is an ongoing fund, and we need your help! Find out how you can help amplify funds for this scholarship.
The CSP Alumni scholarship provides USD 3,800 for the tuition fee and USD 1,000 for air travel if enough funds are raised. Additional appeal letters for contributions are also sent each year to all Caux Scholar alumni.
Eligibility criteria:
You must be a national citizen of a country affected by present-day civil or armed conflict. Please note that candidates with dual nationality or permanent residency in a western country do not qualify for the scholarship.
Active engagement in creating peace and mitigating conflict is required.
Demonstrated financial need is mandatory.
Application requirements:
In addition to the CSP application, please submit a one-page essay on the following topic:
How are you currently engaged in creating peace in your country?
From your perspective, what are the qualities needed in peacemakers who seek to break the cycle of hatred and resentment and unite people across barriers that have historically divided them? (You may wish to refer to the IofC website, particularly the history and stories of individuals who have helped heal conflicts in their countries may generate ideas.
Selection Process: A committee of six persons assesses each applicant. The top three candidates are selected and interviewed over a virtual meeting and following this, the final candidate is selected.
We also encourage all accepted applicants to fundraise their participation. Some students have been able to get funding through their universities. Others have been sponsored by NGOs, faith-based communities, and civic organizations such as the Rotary Club.
FAQ
Is there a lot of reading and writing as part of this course?
More reading than writing. We send a pre-reader to the Scholars before the course begins for preparation. A manual, a curated collection of articles, is given to scholars during the first days of the program to form an ongoing part of their toolkits. Often CSP faculty hand out additional readings that expand the learnings of their lectures. Mid-way through the program, Scholars are asked to turn in a journal or experience essay (6 pages) and a shorter reflection and evaluation is requested at the end of CSP.
I would like to acquire independent credit. How do I go about this?
Students should contact their own universities, or work with professor(s), to see if credit can be achieved through an independent study course at CSP. There are usually additional requirements for such a specialized study, such as heavier reading and detailed paper(s). The deliverables for this kind of course study must be shared with the CSP Program Director to ensure implementation between faculty and the participant Scholar.
Does CSP help with travel expenses?
We do not have money for Scholars’ travel expenses, but infrequently, we have been able to link up scholars with other members within our network who provide in-kind and financial resources for participation.
What is life like at Caux?
Busy! Scholars attend class in the mornings, sports and service opportunities in the afternoon, meetings with global visitors to the conference center over meals, and music, theatre, and dancing in the evenings. There are often too many great choices! Scholars have been known to spend time in quiet reflection under the stars, trekking a hike up the mountain at dawn or early evening, or enjoying a walk to the waterfall for rejuvenation.
What is the age range of a class? How many are still in university?
Caux Scholars will be between the ages of 19-40. Exceptions will be made for outstanding candidates who are beyond this age range.
How diverse will the class be?
Balanced, equitable and inclusive participation is critical to the success of the Caux Scholars Program. Much time is dedicated during the selection process to build a CSP cohort that reflects global diversity in terms of geography, language, culture, gender, class, religion and capacity. A class of twenty often has people from 15 different countries or backgrounds.
For more information about The Caux Scholars Program in Switzerland, contact the Program Director, Rohit Valecha, at rohit.valecha@iofc.org.
