GSIPM

Since 2000, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego has been in the field working with local partners in conflict-affected countries to bring together governments, the military, human rights advocates, and civil society, particularly marginalized groups, to address the inequalities that fuel conflict and find paths to sustainable peace.  Through its WorldLink Program, the Institute for Peace and Justice puts a special emphasis on the impact youth have in building sustainable peace.

The WorldLink Program is grounded in the belief that youth have much to offer and much to gain from discussion with experts and professionals regarding the complexities and challenges of international affairs.  Every January, WorldLink holds its keystone event, the annual Youth Town Meeting (YTM) which hosts over 750 students from southern California, South Korea, and Mexico.  For thirteen years the YTM has allowed students to address issues of global cooperation and conflict, human rights, climate change, international law, terrorism, challenges to a free press, torture, and human trafficking.

This year’s WorldLink theme, selected by the students, is “Crimes Without Borders: Threats to Human Security.”  The program will spend the year looking at local, national and international implications of human trafficking, illicit drug trade, gangs, terrorism and small arms.

Due to his extensive background on the subject matter and his involvement in the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), Dr. Laurance has been asked to speak about small arms at this year’s YTM on Friday, January 21, 2011.

For more information please see the attached flyer 2011 WorldLink Flyer