The Democracy Project Visits India; Next Stop Jamaica!
In the summer of 2024, a group of students and faculty from Southern Oregon University embarked on a transformative journey to India as part of the university’s Democracy Project. The trip was organized and designed by professors Prakash Chenjeri and Cherstin Lyon to provide participants with a unique, hands-on experience of Indian democracy, politics, and civil society, as well as an opportunity to engage with professionals, academics, and local communities. The program’s diverse activities ranged from high-level academic discussions to grassroots engagement, visits to cultural and historical sites, and some explorations of different regions of the world’s largest democracy. The visit reinforced the fact that the strength of India’s democracy stems from its ability to support widespread participation, even in the most rural parts of the country, the inclusion of ordinary people in the democratic process of governance, and the country’s very long history of cross-cultural understanding and tolerance in a globalized world.
New Delhi
At the India International Centre in New Delhi, the group had an enlightening conversation with Ambassador Mukul, Professor Emeritus. Discussions focused on India’s constitutional structure and the democratic processes that have shaped the nation. Key topics included recent elections in India, how democracy has elevated India’s global standing, and the importance of fostering a more active civil society.
After meeting SOU students, Ambassador Mukul commented, “I was deeply impressed with the depth of [the] students’ questions and the seriousness of their engagement. Their interest in studying democracies around the world bodes well for the future of democracy in the US.”
The group gained insights into India’s administrative framework from Mr. Sanjay Kaul, a former Indian Administrative Service officer. Topics included the functioning of India’s civil service, and an exploration of India’s economic development trajectory since gaining independence.
Professor Jha from Jawaharlal Nehru University shared her thoughts on the state of Indian politics, with particular emphasis on the role of women in governance and society. She also provided a critical analysis of the country’s political parties and the challenges they face.
The group interacted with members of the Young India Foundation, a grassroots organization focused on youth engagement in India’s democracy. The foundation advocates for youth leadership and organizes workshops to educate young Indians on their roles and responsibilities in the democratic system. They brought with them a high-ranking lawyer, activist, and political campaign manager, all from different parties, to give students a closer look at how people at different levels of Indian democracy debate the issues.
“The Democracy Project gives students a chance to tie their personal interests into a hands-on exploration of our government systems, an opportunity that is seldom given in higher education. We’ve had students find links between democracy and education, women’s rights, food access, and even marketing, and when students get that freedom to explore new topics with a personal twist, they extract truly meaningful lessons from their experiences.”
– Sierra Garrett, Honors College scholar
In addition to academic visits in New Delhi, we also were hosted in a couple’s home for dinner, and we toured the alleys and markets of Old Delhi by rickshaw.
Rickshaw tour of Old Delhi, Sebastian Cantero and Dr. Prakash Chenjeri
Bangalore
Located 20 kilometers south of Bangalore, The Valley School provided a nostalgic visit for Professor Prakash Chenjeri, who began his teaching career there. The group met with teachers and students, exchanging ideas on education and democracy. The discussion centered around how values of democracy are integrated into the school’s philosophy and day-to-day practices.
Valley School Tour
At IISc, India’s premier institution for advanced research, the group met with Dr. Anjula Gurtoo at the Centre for Society and Policy. Conversations revolved around the intersection of science, policy, and society, with a focus on how democratic principles influence scientific advancement and technological development in India.
The group traveled to Anneswara village to meet with the Gram Panchayat, the local village council. In this setting, the participants engaged in a wide-ranging conversation about rural governance, the Panchayati Raj system, and the challenges faced by local governments in fostering democratic practices at the grassroots level.
Dr. Prakash Chenjeri presenting SOU gifts to the Gram Panchayat, the local village council in the Anneswara village outside of Bangalore, India.
In a session with Bharat Joshi, a journalist from the Deccan Herald, the group explored issues surrounding press freedom in India and how elections are covered by the media. The discussion provided a critical perspective on the role of the press in a democratic society and the impact of media coverage on public opinion during elections.
The group also enjoyed an evening of dinner and conversation with Professor Chenjeri’s family, friends, and former students from The Valley School. This informal gathering allowed for deeper connections and reflections on the experiences throughout the trip.
“Going to India with the Democracy Project was an amazing experience that I will always cherish because it helped me learn so much about another culture. We got to meet locals and leaders in the government from the places we visited in India. They were so welcoming to us and helped us learn more about their culture. It was an experience that I was able to have that I could not directly get in a classroom setting.”
– Tiana Gilliland, Senior, Honors College Scholar
“I don’t think people truly understand the impact that these kinds of experiences have on students. It’s not just about traveling to a new place, it’s about expanding your worldview. It’s about discovering that there are people and environments on the other side of the world that live their lives in a thousand different ways – different from each other and different from us. It’s about truly knowing that we all just want to be happy, healthy, and safe.”
– Sierra Garrett, Senior, Honors College Scholar
Next Stop, Jamaica
With an approximate population of 2.8 million people, Jamaica is the largest-English speaking island in the Caribbean and is known worldwide for its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, music, natural scenery, exquisite food, as well as its tropical climate. Over the course of 11 days, participants will have many opportunities to experience Jamaica’s rich culture while visiting national iconic landmarks and enjoying local cuisine while traveling across the island.
“Jamaica’s legendary Seven-Mile Beach, Negril”
“Bob Marley statue in Kingston. Photo credit: Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock.com”
This exciting immersive experience will highlight elements of governance and grassroot democracy through a variety of activities such as engaging with officials from government agencies, non-government organizations, and local universities. Additionally, the Democracy Project to Jamaica will explore the country’s democratic system which features a parliamentary system, two main political parties, competitive elections, and smooth transition of power.
“Using the world as our classroom, the Democracy Project provides students with several global experiential learning opportunities. Summer 2025, for the first time, students will have the opportunity to visit Jamaica, the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean. During our excursion, you’ll be truly immersed in the Jamaican culture – people, history, food, etc. I am excited to take you on this tour that will showcase my country, Jamaica!”
– Dr. Gibbs, SOU Professor
Join us on this unique transformative cultural expedition to the Caribbean Island of Jamaica June 21 – July 2, 2025. Hosted by Southern Oregon University Honors College, the Democracy Project is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. Formal affiliation with Southern Oregon University is not required.
Information session will be held October 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Honors College located in Susanne Homes Hall.
For more information about the Democracy Project, please contact Dr. Cherstin Lyon at lyonc1@sou.edu or Larry Gibbs at gibbsl@sou.edu.
