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For an easy copy/paste use my bio data is written in a third person. Peter Zvagulis has been born on 26 June 1954 in Riga, Latvia. After graduating from University of Latvia in 1978 he worked as Translator and Researcher at Academy of Sciences of Latvia focusing on history of French philosophy and on the impact of political theories in Baltic history. In 1984 he turned to journalism and literary career: he started to work as professional translator at Latvian Writer's Guild. Peter translated novels and philosophical writings of French classics: Montaigne, Montesquieu, Balzac, and wrote critiques and articles in newspapers and book reviews. His book on French theologian Abélard was taken out of print when he decided not to join the communist party. In 1988 he immigrated to the United States and became a freelance writer for Latvian-American newspapers and a New York correspondent of Radio Free Europe. The dramatic events leading to the collapse of the Soviet block led him to write about politics and international security matters. In 1990 he became a full-time editor and in 1991 acting editor-in-chief of Latvian-American newspaper Laiks (Time) and was noticed by his series of investigative articles about the extra-judicial practices of the Soviet special police forces, the “Black Berets”. In the fall of 1991 he accepted position of Editor at Radio Free Europe headquarters in Munich, Germany. He specialized in the coverage of Romance-language countries and culture. He also became respected by peers for his expertise in history and military issues. The 1994 Rwandan genocide coverage draw him back to the international security matters, and also to media ethics issues. In 1995, along with Radio Free Europe, he moved to Prague, Czech Republic, and in 1996 became Director and Editor-in-Chief of Radio Free Europe Latvian Service. In this position he advocated peacemaking initiatives and became the author of a reconciliation broadcasting that was successfully aired from 2001 to 2004. During his years with RFE, Peter has been involved in a number of researches identifying the needs and motivations of the audience and identifying the reasons of inter-group tension. When the US Congress, in February 2004, ceased funding Radio Free Europe European services, Peter became Prague correspondent of Latvian Public TV. In early 2005 he became one of the founders of Globe Atlantic Corporation and devoted himself to research and teaching. A significant part of Peter's professional career and volunteer work has been spent in teaching and organizing training. As a volunteer he has organized for-credit broadcasting journalism workshops for University of Latvia students; has trained leading Latvian journalists at workshops that he organized jointly with Latvian Broadcasting Council and Latvian Union of Journalists; he was one of the core lecturers and cheer-leaders of Radio Free Europe's Internship courses for East-European journalists and American students. He has been a member of the Admissions Commission of the University of Latvia and member of jury for journalism awards. Peter teaches at University of New York in Prague (UNYP); Charles University, Prague; University of Latvia, Christian Leadership College (External Faculty) and other institutions. Peter is continuing his education with a Ph.D. research in Applied Theology at IBTS (w. University of Wales, UK); he has BA (1978) and MA (1995) in Humanities and Classics from University of Latvia; transcript of completion of Cand. Sc. in Philosophy qualification from Latvian Academy of Sciences (1980); and certificate of PhD qualification (ABD) in Humanities and Communications from Columbia Commonwealth University, Missoula, MT(2002). His book What Your Travel Agent Won’t Tell You, on international travel safety, has been published in Latvian in August 2004 and in Czech in May 2005. He is also author of a book on the history of dictatorship and democracy in Latvia and contributor to Stanford University collection on Cold War broadcasting. Peter has received professional awards for excellence in reporting and for promotion of tolerance in programming. He has been invited to make presentations to the US Senate staff and to EU government officials. In 2007/2008 he was subcontracted for a major sociological research in Latvia and consulted a project for the European Commission. Peter's heart is with the ordinary people who want to make a difference in their communities. He enjoys talking to people in the churches, public gatherings; he supports and advises NGOs that stand for non-violence and human rights. Peter is a practicing Christian and lives in Prague, Czech Republic, with his wife Brigita and twelve-year old daughter Anna. He is Pastoral Assistant at Sharka Valley Community Church. EDUCATION
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