Title: Brethren Colleges Abroad addresses complexity of global issues Oct. 13, 2006 Church of the Brethren News Service Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director 800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews@brethren.org
BRETHREN COLLEGES ABROAD HELPS STUDENTS ADDRESS THE COMPLEXITY OF GLOBAL ISSUES
Oct. 13, 2006 (Elgin, IL) -- Brethren Colleges Abroad, an organization of the Church of the Brethren colleges and seminary, is considering future initiatives including a core course on social justice in a global context that will help students understand the complexity of global issues.
The presidents of the Church of the Brethren-related colleges and Bethany Theological Seminary met in August with representatives of Brethren Colleges Abroad at Bethany's Richmond, Ind., campus. The college and seminary presidents serve as the Board of Directors.
The group included Mell Bolen, who became president of the organization on July 1, and Henry Brubaker, chief financial officer. Bolen is the former director of the Office of International Programs at Brown University. This was the first meeting of the group since she was named president.
The agenda centered on future initiatives. A new core course for all students who participate will discuss social justice in a global context and include cross-cultural theory. "It will not be simply another international relations course," said Bolen, "but will combine the best of BCA's history and core vision with educational practice and theory." Another goal is to create new education sites in the developing world, where students will experience a nuanced view of the complexity of global issues.
Bolen believes that cross-cultural experiences are increasingly important for quality higher education. "This generation lives life in a global context," she explained. Students "will not be able to effectively address the critical issues that they face, such as the environment, immigration, and ethnic identity, unless they can discuss them in an informed way. BCA is one of the best programs because of its long history, and commitment to promote international understanding and academic excellence in a coordinated and conscious way."
BCA works with more than 100 colleges and universities, but Church of the Brethren distinctions such as peace and social justice guide day-to-day operations. "These core values lend themselves to BCA's mission," said Bolen, "and provide the foundation for the faculty as they serve a broad range of students."
A third initiative under discussion is the development of short-term or intensive educational experiences. Bethany Seminary president Eugene Roop noted that this option could lead to increased involvement of seminary students in the program.
For more about Brethren Colleges Abroad go to www.bcanet.org. For more about the Brethren colleges and seminary go to www.brethren.org/links/relcol.htm.
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.
# # #
For more information contact:
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Director of News Services Church of the Brethren General Board 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 260 cobnews@brethren.org
********************************************************** To receive Church of the Brethren news via an e-mail list serv, go to http://listserver.emountain.net/mailman/listinfo/newsline