Conflict to Peace Conference: September 8-9, 2011

Conflict Resolution Initiative

From Darfur to Iraq to Washington D.C., disputes over politics, culture, resources, and religion have given rise to the need for new and creative approaches to resolving conflict. While deeply-rooted conflicts are often not fully resolved, they may be transformed from heated or violent disputes into more manageable, peaceful forms.

As a Catholic and Jesuit institution with a deep tradition of service and educating "women and men for others," Georgetown is committed to equipping students with the tools and resources necessary to better understand the nature of, and solutions to, many types and degrees of conflict. Faculty members from across a multitude of disciplines are leading these efforts, which serve to empower students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with the knowledge and tools to advance more peaceful international relations.

There are three distinct opportunities being offered as part of the conference: a photographic essay competition sponsored by the Program on Justice and Peace at Georgetown University, an academic poster competition sponsored by Georgetown's Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution, and an academic essay competition sponsored by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University. The M.A. Program in Conflict Resolution is grateful to the Berkeley Center and the Justice and Peace program. Interdepartmental collaboration help foster a sense of community and intellectual exchange.  

Conflict to Peace: Innovative Approaches to Peace Building

'From Conflict to Peace: Innovative Approaches to Peace Building' is a major international conference co-hosted by the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution program at Georgetown University and Georgetown University’s Office of the President. It will be held on Georgetown’s historic campus in Washington, D.C. September 8-9, 2011. The event will serve as an intellectual gathering of students, faculty, and practitioners in the field of conflict resolution.

The event will explore transition or attempted transition in Northern Ireland, South Africa and Israel/Palestine to draw lessons for the larger field of conflict resolution. The conference will also feature a fourth panel specifically focused on innovative practices implemented by civil society organizations. The panels include faculty from Georgetown University and Queen’s University, Belfast, and feature leading grassroots and policy experts who played a key role in the “transition” to a more peaceful state.

Speakers will include heads of leading organizations working on conflict, academics, and grassroots practitioners from select conflict regions. We would very much welcome your attendance at the conference and there will be ample time for discussions and networking. 
  

On September 8, there will be four discussion panels on the following topics:

Post-Apartheid Nation Building in South Africa

South Africa played a pioneering role in advancing the practice of transitional justice in helping to reduce conflict and move towards a more peaceful and inclusive future for all. This panel will examine the unique success and challenges of South Africa, and in particular explore the tension between justice and peace in building a more democratic society.

  

The Northern Ireland Peace Process and Where We Are Now

The Good Friday Agreement and the Northern. Ireland Peace Process helped to end one of Europe’s most intractable conflicts. The negotiated agreement brought together political leaders who had been enemies for decades to build more inclusive political, social and economic institutions. Civil society actors have also played a critical role in all phases of the process of transition in Northern Ireland. This panel will examine the successes of Northern Ireland in terms of building new institutions, reducing violence, and also the continuing challenges such as building ties across the communal divide.

The Israel-Palestine Conflict

The conflict in Israel and Palestine continues to have a horrific human, economic and social impact on the people of the region. Despite the on-going challenges, there are hundreds of peacemakers, organizations and others who are working to create the conditions for a sustainable peace amidst very difficult circumstances. This panel will include grassroots peacemakers, as well as leading policymakers in examining the lessons for peace building in general, and concrete suggestions for fostering a more hopeful future.

 

Practitioners and Organizations on the Front Lines of Change 

Around the world peace builders are at the front lines of change, working to end some of the world’s most violent conflicts, foster much needed policy changes and create the conditions for sustainable peace. This panel will include leading practitioners who are partners of Georgetown University, who are conducting some of the most important and innovative peace work today in the areas of security, gender, sport and reconciliation. Recommendations and lessons for the larger field will be discussed.

 

** PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE**

Please register here by September 2nd, 2011. For more information, please contact amk94[at]georgetown.edu

You can view a detailed schedule of events here.