Peacebuilding Big Idea Challenge seeks novel ideas

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Peace Project and Alliance for Peacebuilding are co-sponsoring the Peacebuilding Big Idea Challenge to encourage innovative ideas in peacebuilding, especially to reduce armed conflict.

The challenge is funded by Milt Lauenstein, a Purdue alumnus, business leader and promoter of world peace. The challenge seeks to find big ideas that have real potential, are novel and ambitious, and are likely to be widely used. The winner will receive a prize of $10,000 in recognition of the big idea and have the idea widely publicized.

“The Peacebuilding Big Idea Challenge is the first Purdue Peace Project initiative in its new home in Discovery Park’s Purdue Policy Research Institute. PPRI is looking forward to seeing novel ideas that can really make a difference, particularly in areas plagued by armed conflict,” said Rosalee Clawson, interim director of Purdue Policy Research Institute and professor of political science.

The challenge is open to individuals at least 18 years of age and teams and organizations worldwide. One-page summaries of the big ideas are due Jan. 14 to purdue.edu/dp/ppri/peace/form.php. A strong submission will be inclusive of various stakeholders and experts, which will bring each party’s strengths to bear and provide a holistic, well-rounded approach. A great idea will be impactful and able to have measurable success.

Participants will be notified by Feb. 1 if they have been selected to submit a detailed proposal for the second round of the competition. Detailed descriptions from selected participants will be due April 1. The big ideas that make it to the second round will be seen by various peacebuilding organizations and will be shared on websites and social media platforms, increasing the likelihood and extent of impact. The winner will be announced in May.

“Purdue Peace Project funder Milt Lauenstein is passionate about peacebuilding, and this Peacebuilding Big Ideas Challenge is an exciting way to encourage and promote bold new ideas on peacebuilding,” said Stacey Connaughton, Purdue Peace Project director and an associate professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with our co-sponsor, Alliance for Peacebuilding, to accept ideas from around the globe.”

More information can be found here. The Purdue Peace Project is housed in the College of Liberal Arts.

Writer: Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu

Source: Krista Kelley, operations manager at Purdue Policy Research Institute, kokelley@purdue.edu