If you participate in Marquette’s South Africa Service Learning Program, you will study with South African professors who are experts in their fields at the Leadership Academy of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and the University of  the Western Cape (UWC).

Inspired by the spirit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Peace Centre uses "the experience of the South African people and the example of Desmond Tutu to inspire a new generation of visionary peace builders. Its focus is to teach the extraordinary principles--practiced by ordinary people--

that were able to guide South Africa from a legacy of violence to a cooperative peace."

Founded in 1960, the University of the Western Cape has played a key role in ending the oppression of apartheid and is today a major South African university committed to academic excellence, cultural diversity and helping to build an equitable and dynamic society.

Theology of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Justice

Explore how people of all faiths are called to play a positive role in bringing about forgiveness, reconciliation and justice. Gain a unique perspective of South Africans’ response to this call, as evidenced in the ubuntu theology of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Leaders in Grassroots Organizations:
Community Development and Social Analysis

Investigate how people empowered by leaders at the community level address their development needs and bring about systemic change through social analysis of the economic, social, political, environmental and cultural structures that create poverty and conflict. Test and refine your own developing models of grassroots leadership through field work with a local community-based organization two days a week.

Elective Courses

Students take 2-3 elective courses at the University of the Western Cape

UWC offers a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines. Students seeking courses in the social sciences can also take advantage of offerings from UWC's Institute for Social Development.

Your instruction will also come from government, religious, business, civic and community leaders who continue to build this nation . . . citizens who have dedicated their lives to a new South Africa . . . people who have contributed to its ability to rise above apartheid to bring about reconciliation and inclusiveness.

You will observe firsthand how people of traditionally divided groups come together to act collectively for the common good — and succeed.