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Honoring the Peace Palace centenary CMU hosts international events, Hope May receives grant to build international law awareness Philosophy professor Hope May and Central Michigan University recently received international recognition for May's efforts organizing educational outreach activities surrounding the centennial anniversary of the Peace Palace – known as the seat of international law. May organized a conference in the Netherlands for students and young professionals Aug. 25 through 27 and hosted a public ceremony with keynote speakers Leymah Gbowee, a peace activist and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipient; Brigid Inder, Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice executive director; and Stephen J. Rapp, U.S. Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice. The Planethood Foundation awarded May a $55,000 grant to develop student engagement opportunities and build public awareness about the International Criminal Court, the history of international law and the "Peace through Law" approach. Additional funding came from CMU's College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Philosophy and Religion. The Planethood Foundation, an initiative of former Nuremberg Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz and his son Donald, supports projects pertaining to the International Criminal Court and educational efforts to replace the law of force with the force of law. "Dr. Hope May is one of the real leaders in the field of trying to make people understand the true value of international law and the International Criminal Court," says Don Ferencz. "She has been the pioneer in establishing a foothold for students coming to The Hague to introduce them to and to further their interest in this field." May also distributed material packages about peace history and international law to partners across the globe, including locations in China, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. "It is important that the story of the Peace Palace and the centenary be recognized beyond The Hague," May says. freedoms,'" she says. "Sharing the story of the Peace Palace and the movement that surrounded it is one way to do this. So, I am simply doing what I know I must do. I am simply doing what needs to be done." Located in The Hague, Netherlands, the Peace Palace is home to the "World Court" of the United Nations, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Academy of International Law, and an extensive library dedicated to international law. It was built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie and opened Aug. 28, 1913. Benjamin Ferencz says he's looking forward to continuing his collaboration with May. CMU Philosophy Professor Hope May (right) organized a public event featuring keynote speaker Leymah Gbowee, a peace activist and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. "Her work is very impressive and demonstrates her skill, dedication, determination and talent – for all of which we are most grateful," he says. "Mr. Carnegie would be proud." Visit pieceofthepalace.com for more "The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that, 'Every person and every institution shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these fundamental rights and Under Discussion | Winter 2014 11

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