Given the force and frequency of conflict both locally and globally, it is difficult to overstate the importance of understanding it and learning to resolve or manage it constructively. Whether conflict has its roots in cultural heritages, ethnic identities, religious and philosophical worldviews, political loyalties, gender biology, psychology, and socialization, socio-economic class, or other differences, understanding conflict and building peace are everyday challenges – and opportunities.
The Peace and Conflict Studies minor was established in 2009 to look systematically at these challenges and to take advantage of strategies in medication and conflict resolution. There are at least three reasons to minor in Peace and Conflict Studies:
Many courses in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences consider peace and conflict and do so from a variety of disciplinary standpoints. The minor in Peace and Conflict Studies offers students an opportunity to study, reflect on and contribute to theory and practice in this area.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mosten Lecture, Spring 2013
Date: May 14th
Ken Cloke
We have all watched political conversations degenerate into angry quarrels between deeply wounded, frightened, adversarial people; then deteriorate into brutal personal attacks and antagonistic power contests; ultimately sinking into screaming matches, shaming and blaming, and personal viciousness, sometimes resulting in senseless violence, and appalling acts of brutality.
What is our responsibility as dispute resolvers for the environmental, social, economic and political conflicts that are occurring around us? Can we apply conflict resolution principles to the inequalities, inequities, and dysfunctions that fuel chronic environmental, political, economic and social conflicts? Are we not implicitly responsible for learning to address and resolve global conflicts beyond our borders, helping to eliminate their chronic sources, and contributing to the redesign of conflict generating structures, processes, institutions and practices, so as to prevent their recurrence? And how can we bring these changes about without recreating the very problems we seek to solve?
Successful political decision-making and conflict resolution require not silence or rage, but dialogue; not aggression, but collaboration; not accommodation, but courageous, constructive, creative contention. Silence in the face of critical issues signifies not merely the absence of speech, but of integrity, and therefore of self, values, citizenship, and community.
This talk will examine the role mediators can play in helping to resolve chronic, complex global conflicts, and identify ways of acting locally and internationally to build conflict resolution capacity around the world, thereby helping to create a "conflict revolution."
----- NEWS -----
Colombia Policy Initiatives In a new policy brief, IPJ Executive Director Milburn Line makes the case for strengthened U.S. support for the Colombian peace process. Part of that effort should include stronger inclusion of Colombians directly affected by the conflict.
Peacebuilding Mapping Project The final report from the Peacebuilding Mapping Project was launched at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on October 19. The report, funded by USIP and implemented by the Alliance for Peacebuilding and the IPJ, is available electronically here .
Women PeaceMakers Featured in 'Journal of Peacebuilding & Development' Emiko Noma, Dee Aker and Jennifer Freeman's article "Heeding Women's Voices " has been published in Vol. 7, Issue 1 of the Journal of Peacebuilding & Development. Using documentation collected in the Women PeaceMakers Program , the article highlights the gap between institutional approaches to peacebuilding and the lived experiences of grassroots peacebuilders.
Breaking Barriers Conference Recommendations IPJ and co-conveners' recommendations on security, justice and peacebuilding – generated from the discussions and work done at the Women PeaceMakers Program conference at the end of September – are now available online .
Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies Welcomes New Dean
Latest Woman PeaceMaker Narrative Published Online Rashad Zaydan of Iraq , "Um Al-Iraq (The Date Palm Tree)," written by Nikki Lyn Pugh, is now available to read and download online. The other 2011 narratives — of Wahu Kaara of Kenya , Manjula Pradeep of India and Claudette Werleigh of Haiti — are also available online. Download and read Rashad's narrative .
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Blog Birthday Note from Sudan's Arab Spring , explores the opportunity for change that the recent uprising in Sudan has provided and what the Sudanese are doing in response through social media and peaceful protests. Read Zahra's post and other program updates .
IPJ Volunteers Needed
If you would like to share your passion for peace and justice as an IPJ volunteer, please contact Megan Theriault at mtheriault@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-7618.
For event additions, changes or directions go to http://peace.sandiego.edu/ or call (619) 260-7509. Students are encouraged to attend all IPJ events. Events fill up quickly, and professors are encouraged to make reservations in advance for any classes that will be attending as a group.
