Insight Collaborative Names 2008 Fellows

The Insight Collaborative hosted its third annual Finalist Weekend on March 15th and 16th. Fourteen Finalists selected from over fifty applicants to the Insight Fellowship Program were invited to Boston for interviews, a gala dinner, and a half-day Insight Negotiation training session presented by Insight President David Seibel and Insight Associate Mike Blank.

We were gratified by the high number of applications we received this year and highly impressed by the quality of the submissions. Candidates proposed placements in dozens of countries on a vast array of topics including, among many others, the effectiveness of truth and reconciliation commissions, the healing power of the media, how to reintegrate and rehabilitate communities after incidents of extreme violence, power dynamics in conflict management, empowering youth with conflict management skills, the role of faith-based organizations in conflict zones, limitations of post-conflict justice movements, international relations and microfinance, the reintegration of child soldiers after conflict, the role of collective memory in peace movements, and political methods of reconciliation in post-conflict situations.

This year’s Insight Finalists were Mark Balmforth, Katie Camillus, Julie Carney, Holly Dranginis, Carolyn Hall McMahon, Keren Hendin, Hafsa Kanjwal, Benjamin Kasten, Rachel Littman, Antonia Menezes, and Jessica Richman. The 2008 Insight Fellows are Carl Conradi, Michelle Kissenkötter, and Carrie Stefansky. Congratulations to all, and welcome aboard to Carl, Carrie, and Michelle.