Wholistic Peace Institute Opens at Concordia University

Visit and cooperative agreement with China-North Korean Universities marks opening day

The Wholistic Peace Institute and its Nobel Peace Laureate Program opened its new location at Concordia University with the signing of cooperative agreements between Concordia and two Universities on the China-North Korean border, both led by President James Kim.

"This day embodies many years of cross-cultural dialogue among peace advocates and national leaders, and represents among the first such cooperative agreements signed between a U.S.-based private, Christian University and a private university in North Korea," said Gary Spanovich, executive director, Wholistic Peace Institute.

"We are honored by President Kim's visit to mark this day of celebration and collaboration, as well as a new home for the Peace Institute at Concordia University," said Gary Withers, Concordia's vice president of External Affairs. "This event symbolizes what universities everywhere can do to point the way to world peace through compassion, dialogue and critical thinking."

Concordia University signed memoranda of understanding today, agreeing to cooperate with Yanbian University Science & Technology in Yanbian, China (www.yust.edu) and Pyongyang University Science & Technology in Pyongyang, North Korea (www.pust.co.kr). The Universities will explore opportunities to exchange students and faculty and other potential programmatic opportunities.

Originally founded in 2000 in Canby, Ore. with a focus on reducing world violence and using compassion in diplomatic relations, the Wholistic Peace Institute is now housed in Luther Hall on Concordia University’s Northeast Portland campus. Since then, the Institute has hosted Nobel Peace Laureates including Kim Dae Jung, Oscar Arias Sanchez and the Dalai Lama.

This event was posted by dthomas@cu-portland.edu.