Glendine Soiseth is one of three students who won the Rewoldt Student Peace Initiative Award. She is in the dual degree program in social work and theology at Augsburg College and Luther Seminary. She presented her award winning essay on democracy at the 16th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum Feb. 21 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.
The Rewoldt Award is funded through a donation by R.H. Rewoldt, founder of the Peace Race International, an Iowa-based non-profit corporation. Students at the five sponsoring colleges of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Augsburg, Augustana, Concordia, Luther and St. Olaf Colleges, are invited to submit essays considering direct democracy and other models of governance, and their potential for creating a more just and peaceful world. One student from each campus is selected to present his or her essay at the Forum.
Soiseth’s essay focused on the point that, “government works when people like you and I make decisions, accept responsibility and get involved.” She finished her presentation by stating that fighting for your values involves risk. “It takes commitment, action, time and sacrifice.”