Global Justice Program
Integrating Scholarship and Dialogue to Address Global Challenges
The Global Justice Program (GJP) at the University of Oregon promotes interdisciplinary education, dialogue, and action around international peace, human rights, and global cooperation. It is supported by the Savage Endowment for International Relations and Peace, which was established to bring distinguished national and international experts to campus and to enrich the university’s offerings in the humanities and social sciences, particularly in the areas of international relations, peace, and the United Nations. Through public lectures, workshops, performances, and conferences, GJP connects UO students, faculty, and the broader local community with global scholars, activists, and practitioners. The program also funds faculty and student research, experiential learning, and community engagement on topics such as refugee rights, climate justice, and ethical leadership, with a current focus on Palestine-Israel.
At its core, the Global Justice Program fosters critical inquiry and inclusive dialogue, empowering the campus community to engage meaningfully with pressing global issues.
Each year, faculty are invited to apply for funding to support their work, enhance academic initiatives, and bring guest speakers to campus.
About the Savage Endowment
The Savage Endowment for International Relations and Peace was established to bring distinguished national and international experts to the University of Oregon. The contributions of these experts enhance the university’s educational offerings in the humanities and social sciences, with particular emphasis on international relations, peace, and the United Nations. The program is managed by the Global Justice Committee, a group of faculty and staff committed to peace and justice.
Carlton Savage’s Biography
Born in Salem, Oregon, Carlton Savage graduated from the University of Oregon in 1921. He joined the U.S. Department of State in 1927, embarking on a distinguished career in diplomacy and international affairs. In 1945, Savage was a member of the U.S. delegation to the San Francisco Conference, which established the United Nations. Following his retirement from the State Department, he taught international relations at the University of Utah and American University.
Establishment of the Chair and Endowment
In 1987, Carlton Raymond Savage made a generous gift of $500,000 to the university, given on his behalf and in memory of his late wife, Wilberta Ripley Savage, to establish a visiting professorship in international relations and peace. In 1990, the Oregon State Legislature matched this original endowment through its new Endowment for Excellence Program, providing an equal grant of state funds. With this additional support, the Savage Endowment has become a cornerstone of the University of Oregon’s growing reputation as a leader in the fields of international relations and peace.
Carlton Savage’s Vision
Through his decades of service in the U.S. Department of State, Carlton Savage developed a deep conviction that “war is the most terrible of all calamities.” He dedicated his life to advancing world peace and promoting human rights, envisioning a future in which war would no longer be used as an instrument of policy. Savage had a particular interest in the Pacific Basin and its pivotal role in fostering peaceful and cooperative international relations. He believed that protecting human rights and strengthening international organizations were essential to achieving global peace and harmony. Savage intended the Endowment to “inspire” students to contribute to the cultivation of reason as a substitute for violence and hate in personal, national, and international affairs. To this end, he hoped the university would bring outstanding individuals to campus who could teach the community how to embrace reason over conflict.