Iraki Khodeli, a Berea College junior, has been chosen to participate this summer in the Caux Scholars Program (CSP) in Caux, Switzerland, where he will study peacemaking in a global context.

The history and political science major from the Republic of Georgia is one of only 20 students from around the world selected to take part in the program. Participants were selected on the basis of high academic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, public or community service and interest in the ethical dimensions of world affairs.

From July 12-August 12, Khodeli and the others will study "Transforming Conflict: From Personal to Global Change," focusing on the moral and spiritual dimensions of peacemaking and the relationship between individual transformation and change in the world.

The program's diverse faculty will include CSP academic director Barry Hart of Eastern (Pa.) Mennonite University; Michelle LeBaron, of George Mason University's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Sam G. Doe of Liberia, founder and director of the West Africa Peacebuilding Network and Dr. Mohammed Abu Nimer of American University's School of International Service and guest speakers from around the world.

When he returns to Berea next fall, Khodeli says he will share his experiences with others at Berea by writing a paper and through public presentations.

The program will take place at Mountain House, an international conference center which was one of the earliest sites of reconciliation between the German and French peoples after World War II. Part of Khodeli's expenses will be covered by working ten hours per week in the conference office through Berea College's labor program.

The Caux Scholars Program is an initiative of Moral Re-armament (MRA), a program that began in the period preceding WWII, and now an informal network of people working for peace and the renewal of society based on universal moral standards. Now in its ninth year, the Caux Scholars Program has graduated 157 students from 45 countries and over 100 universities.