Al Fuertes

Al Fuertes

Term Associate Professor, School of Integrative Studies

Contact Information

Email: krockma2@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-9727
Office Location: Enterprise Hall, 438

Biography

Rev. Al Fuertes, PhD., is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. His areas of interest include global education and cross-cultural learning; psychosocial trauma healing as a component in peacebuilding and community development; sustainability of indigenous communities and more. Dr. Fuertes is a field practitioner and consultant who specializes in community-based trauma healing as an integral component in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Dr. Fuertes works with government, religious, military, and community leaders, as well as NGO development workers, school administrators, teachers, youth, refugees and internally displaced persons.

Current Research

  • Teaching Methodologies on Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Rwanda.
  • Voluntary repatriation of Karen refugees to Burma.
  • Prosecution and conviction of human trafficking cases in the Philippines.
  • Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka, post-conflict.

Education

  • PhD, Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University (2007)
  • MA, Peace Studies, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart IN (1997)
  • Bachelor of Theology (magna cumlaude), Silliman University (1990)

Selective Publications

  • Fuertes, Al. 2024. "Students in Higher Education Explore the Practice of Gratitude as Spirituality and Its Impact on Well-Being." Religions 15(9), 1078. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091078
  • Fuertes, Al. 2023. "Thriving Together Series: The Power of Forgiveness for Well-Being." Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, George Mason University. https://wellbeing.gmu.edu/thriving-together-series-the-power-of-forgiveness-for-well-being/
  • Fuertes, Al, and Kelley Dugan. 2021. "Spirituality through the Lens of Students in Higher Education." Religions 12: 924. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12110924
  • Fuertes, Al. 2016. "Karen Refugees Describe Peace within the Context of Displacement." Conflict Resolution Quarterly. Vol. 33, Issue 3, Spring, pp. 297-312.
  • Fuertes, Al 2016. "Peacebuilders in Mindanao Describe Consciousness and Transformation Towards Effective Practice." Kinaadman, Xavier University.
  • Fuertes, Al and Wayland, Mary. 2015. “Cultivating Mindfulness through Meditation in a Classroom Setting from Students' Perspective.” Vol. 7. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13021/G8NK58; https://journals.gmu.edu/index.php/ITLCP/article/view/632/1111
  • Fuertes, Al. 2014. Book Review of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed and its Relevance in Philippine Context.” Kinaadman Academic Journal, Vol. 26. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.
  • Fuertes, Al B. 2012. "Transformative Impact of Storytelling in the Philippines." Conflict Resolution Quarterly, Volume 29 Number 3 Spring.
  • Fuertes, Al. 2010. "Peacebuilders in Southeast Asia Describe the Dynamic Interplay Between Consciousness and Transformation Towards Effective Practice." Alternative Perspectives in the Humanities and the Social Sciences. Ed. Otto F. von Feigenblatt. Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences, Inc., pp. 1-12.
  • Fuertes, Al. 2010. "Rethinking How We Channel Relief Assistance and Humanitarian Services to Refugees and Internally Displaced Communities in Southeast Asia." Development and Conflict in the 21st Century. Ed. Otto F. von Feigenblatt. Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences, Inc., pp. 4-26.
  • Fuertes, Al B. 2010. "Birds Inside A Cage: Metaphor for Karen Refugees." Social Alternatives. First Quarter, Volume 29:1: 2010.
  • Fuertes, Al. 2008. Community-based Warviews, Resiliency and Healing. VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller e.K. (Book)
  • Fuertes, Al. 2007. “Descriptions of War and Healing by Karen Refugees on the Thai-Burmese border.” Taiwan International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 201-218.
  • Fuertes, Al. 2006. “Experiences and Views on War: Voices from War-affected Communities.” Social Justice: Anthropology, Human Rights and Peace (6)1, pp. 134-148.
  • Fuertes, Al. 2004. “In Their Own Words: Contextualizing the Discourse of (War) Trauma and Healing.” Conflict Resolution Quarterly, Vol. 21, No. 4, Summer, pp. 491-501.

 Courses Taught

  • INTS 305 Conflict Resolution/Transformation
  • INTS 314 Conflict, Trauma, and Healing
  • INTS 315 Spirituality and Conflict Transformation
  • INTS 416 Refugee, Internal Displacement, Statelessness
  • INTS 475 Forgiveness & Reconciliation in Divided Communities
  • INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling
  • INTS 475 Immigration Issues in Northern Virginia
  • INTS 475 Community Development and Fair Trade
  • CONF 695 Psychosocial Trauma and Healing
  • CONF 695 Praxis of Forgiveness and Reconciliation
  • CONF 795 Trauma-informed and Resilience-oriented Practice

Media Clippings