JUPS Students Present at annual Justice and Peace Studies Association Conference
Two students from Georgetown University’s Justice and Peace Program had the opportunity to attend and present at the annual Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) Conference hosted this year at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Meagan Barrera is a senior in the School of Foreign Service majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Law and a certificate in Justice and Peace Studies. Margaret Ferrato is a junior in the College, majoring in African History with a double minor in Justice and Peace Studies and Environmental Studies.
The PJSA Conference is a gathering of a diverse group of people who are committed to Justice and Peace Studies and solving some of our world’s greatest issues. For one weekend a year, all of these change agents engage in meaningful dialogue with one another that fosters both inspiration and action.
When asked how it feels to represent Georgetown University at such a prestigious event, Margaret responded, “I was very proud to be representing Georgetown at the conference and a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able to live up to some of the amazing work that so many students are doing.” Both students had the opportunity to present at the conference. When asked about the content of their remarks, Meagan said she presented on “Brazil and the particular environmental issues that favelas face in urban areas. I hoped to spark conversation about this issue particularly as the World Cup and Olympics come to Brazil.” Margaret also explained how she shared “personal experiences about my summer in Palestine and things that I learned.”
Both students were not only excited about their contribution to the conference, but also what they gained from the conference. When asked to debrief about the conference Margaret reflected, “I learned a lot about justice and peace issues that I haven't studied. It was great to hear from people who have been working on these topics for years and have so much experience.”
Both Margaret and Meagan are incredible students who have already made footprints in the world of Justice and Peace Studies and are another example of the great ideas, people and dialogue the Georgetown University program on Justice and Peace Studies has to offer.
- Rashawn Davis, Class of 2014
