2009 Winners

Outstanding Commitment Awards: Peace and Human Rights

Peace & Human Rights


Students passionate about the promotion of peace and human rights around the world use advocacy efforts as a means of action. Commitments in this focus area coalesce around strategies such as: awareness-raising about trafficking and slavery; the use of web portals and online discussion forums to promote dialogue and discussion; and the use of sports to facilitate cross-cultural, interfaith relationships.

The following CGI U Outstanding Commitment Award winners for Peace & Human Rights received grants made available by the Pat Tillman Foundation’s Social Action Fund.


Award Winners

Play31
Commitment By: Jakob Silas Lund (Graduate), on behalf of Play31
University Name/Major: Columbia University, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution
Partners: Forum of Conscience
Geographic Scope: Kono, Sierra Leone
Award Amount: $7,500 toward footballs and jerseys
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >

Vumunzuku Bya-Vana – “Our Children’s Future” (VVOCF): Psychosocial Support for Children and Youth Made Vulnerable by HIV/AIDS
Commitment By: Courtney Hurtt (Undergraduate), on behalf of Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience (MRULE)
University Name/Major: Michigan State University, Comparative Cultures and Politics
Geographic Scope: Zonkiziwe, South Africa
Award Amount: $5,000 toward building safe house, repairs, and center expansion
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >


Public Diplomacy in Action for the Bhutanese Community of Central New York
Commitment By: Felipe Estefan and Siobhan Sheils (Undergraduates), on behalf of Public Diplomats for Human Rights
University Name/Major: Syracuse University, Public Diplomacy
Geographic Scope: New York
Award Amount: $6,000 toward materials and other operating costs
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >

Creating a Joint Sport Program for Jewish & Arab kids in Jerusalem
Commitment By: Ohad Ish Shalom (Undergraduate)
University Name/Major: Ben Gurion University, Psychology, Economics
Geographic Scope: Jerusalem, Israel
Award Amount: $4,000 toward jerseys, lectures and activities
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >


Bridging the Digital Divide for Persons with Disabilities: Providing a Means of Communication
Commitment By: Carolyn Dunne (Undergraduate) and Ernest Asiedu (Undergraduate), on behalf of Bridging the Digital Divide
University Name/Major: Rochester Institute of Technology, Advertising Public Relations and Journalism
Geographic Scope: Ghana
Award Amount: $5,000 toward technology equipment
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >

Camp "I Have a Dream"
Commitment By: Hammad Bassam Hammad (Graduate)
University Name/Major: Tufts University, International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Type of Institution: Private
Geographic Scope: West Bank
Award Amount: $3,000 toward basketballs, hoops and hammers
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >


House a Hero
Commitment By: Annie Bryant (Graduate)
University Name/Major: University of Texas, Austin, Social Work
Geographic Scope: Domestic
Award Amount: $5,000 toward expansion of web platform/host-veteran matching services
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >

Peacemakers Experiential Academy
Commitment By: Olga Lutsyk
University Name/Major: National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Public Health Management/Management of Organization
Geographic Scope: Crime
Award Amount: $1,000 toward construction materials for service day
Funding Provided By: Pat Tillman Foundation
Learn more >