Citizenship in Action : Muhammad Ali Institute

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has endorsed the Ali Scholars programme to promote his ongoing commitment to young people, social justice and peace throughout the world.

In February 2007, the relationship was strengthened with the Youth Charter Executive Chair, Geoff Thompson MBE, who was a special guest as a "World changer in residence" at the Muhammad Ali Institute's Ali in Focus event held at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. In 2006 a delegation of young people from Louisville, Kentucky visited the North West of England as part of their eight day European Tour to conduct a fact finding tour of how young people of the North West cope with the social and cultural issues that can lead to the disaffection and social violence and unrest blighting so many communities globally. The Ali Scholars were hosted by Manchester based Youth Charter who had recently launched their 12 year report outlining firm proposals that Act Globally and Deliver Locally the role that sport, arts and cultural activity can play in addressing these issues. The Group visited both Liverpool and Manchester which will see them embark on a demanding schedule of visits, meetings and presentations with leading agencies, communities and youth groups in the North West. The Youth Charter's hosting of the Ali Scholars Tour is part of their ongoing Anglo American Youth Culture Initiative and international global Citizenship in Action programme.

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PROJECT OBJECTIVES...
The Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice advances the work, study, and practice of peacemaking, social justice, and violence prevention through the development of innovative educational programs, training, service, and research. Through the skills, knowledge and experiences we provide, we transform communities by empowering people.

The Ali Scholars Program is a two-year degree supplement program offered by the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice for undergraduate students at the University of Louisville. The Program allows scholars the opportunity to gain awareness and insight about violence prevention, conflict resolution and peacemaking in an urban context.

Participants are exposed to the most cogent theories, strategies, and research in the areas of conflict, violence prevention, peacemaking and social justice and will be able to work alongside researchers, educators and activists on campus, in the local community, nationwide and around the world. Through this experience, scholars will become better trained and empowered to take individual action and leadership on issues of peace, violence and conflict.

Through their work with the Muhammad Ali Institute, Ali Scholars acquire a broad understanding of violence prevention, peacemaking and social justice issues and use this understanding to develop their expertise as leaders, activists and agents for social change. The Ali Scholars will develop particular expertise in an area of the work that best connects to their skills, interests and abilities and will conduct a research project in this expert area that will be relevant to the work of violence prevention and peacemaking locally and globally.