October 19–31, 2025

Our Balkans Community Trip has come to an end.
Over two weeks across Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania, 22 participants explored how societies remember, rebuild, and live with the legacies of war and trauma. Led in the second week by Dr. Elton Skendaj from Georgetown University, the journey focused on questions of justice, reconciliation, and democratic development in a region still marked by its recent past.

In Bosnia, we examined how memory and identity are negotiated—from Srebrenica’s pursuit of justice to Sarajevo’s efforts to foster coexistence and confront intergenerational trauma. In Montenegro, we reflected on shared histories and the challenge of preserving heritage while looking forward. In Kosovo, conversations with journalists, activists, and civil society leaders highlighted the ongoing work of building institutions and trust. And in Albania, we turned to democratic reform, civic participation, and the country’s European aspirations.

June 22–28, 2025

This innovative program marked CIEL’s first health-focused academic trip to Northern Ireland. In collaboration with faculty from the University of Wyoming’s Pharmacy Department, the program examined the intersection of public health, mental health, and conflict. Participants engaged with over a dozen new voices, including younger and female experts, women with lived experience of the conflict, and leading figures like Prof. David Bolton, Prof. Brandon Hamber, and Prof. Siobhan O’Neil.

June 1–12, 2025

In collaboration with Professor Elton Skendaj, this program returned for a second year, offering 15 graduate students from Georgetown’s MA in Democracy & Governance program a deep dive into the political and institutional structures of post-conflict Northern Ireland. Students explored divided societies through meetings with politicians, civil society leaders, and reconciliation experts, with a focus on generational shifts in political attitudes and governance. CIEL’s Daniel Wehrenfennig and Claudio Dangmann guided the program. The highlight was a shared day of programming with the Chapman group, including visits to the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, the Irish Secretariat, and a special talk with Professor Paul Arthur. This overlap encouraged interdisciplinary dialogue and cross-university connection between cohorts.

June 1–12, 2025

In partnership with Dr. Lisa Leitz, this inaugural program brought ~15 undergraduate students from Chapman University’s Peace Studies and Communication Studies to Northern Ireland for an immersive study of reconciliation and peace-building. Students engaged directly with former combatants, policymakers, victims’ groups, and community leaders, gaining firsthand insight into the legacy of the Troubles and contemporary challenges in post-sectarian society. Each student wrote daily reflections, which you can read here. The delegation was joined by CIEL Board Chair Dulcie Kugelman and Executive Director Daniel Wehrenfennig, further solidifying our institutional relationship with Chapman. The success of this trip has laid the foundation for future campus-specific collaborations.

December 27, 2024 - January 9, 2025

We started the year with a journey of exploration and learning, our Vietnam and Cambodia program brought together community members and Chapman University students to examine the legacies of generational trauma, post-colonialism, and conflict.

Over two incredible weeks, we explored the powerful legacy of Franco-German reconciliation, visited historic WWII sites, and delved into the foundations of European integration. Together, we reflected on the lessons of history and their relevance in addressing today’s challenges—polarization, conflict, and the pursuit of peace.