The National Conference on Current Trends in
Conflict Resolution in Higher Education

Concurrent Session V

Current Developments in International Peace Studies
and Conflict Resolution Programs

Workshop Presenters

    Chiharu Okajima is a doctoral candidate at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.  George Mason University. She received her MA in international affairs with a concentration of peace studies from the American University and her MS in conflict analysis and resolution from the George Mason University. She researched and compiled the Global Directory of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs (2000 Edition) published by the Consortium on Peace Research, Education, and Development. Her recent paper titled “A Regional Comparison of Current Master’s Programs in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution” was presented at the 19th general conference of International Peace Research Association.

    Al B. Fuertes is a Ph.D. Candidate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Al has helped establish peace and conflict resolution programs and initiatives is Southeast Asia particularly in the Philippines such as the Peace Resource Center (PRC) at Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines. His interest in peace education in higher education lies on the interplay between academic learning and grassroots experiential approach to education. Hence, a dynamic integration of theory, practice and reflection as that which embodies the whole learning process. Al is a teacher-facilitator at the Summer Peace building Institute (SPI), Eastern Mennonite University in VA, the Minadano Peace building Institute (MPI) in Davao City, Philippines and at the New Century College (NCC), George Mason University. He has done a lot of consultancy work in areas that are affected by protracted conflict or overt violence. His other main interest is in community-based trauma healing. Al’s title for his doctoral dissertation is “Prospects for Collective Healing and Rebuilding: A Comparative Study of Community-based War Views and Coping Mechanisms between two Refugee Communities (Karen Refugee Camp on the Thailand-Myanmar border and the Lumad People’s Federation in Mindanao, Philippines).”

Workshop Notes

Fuertes places his emphasis on trauma healing in peace agreements.

Global Issues

  • To reach agreement, both sides must understand the other’s culture and history.

  • Variable that influence implementation of International Studies:

    1. Funding sources (also shapes beneficiaries of program)
    2. Philosophy and interests of institution (usually have to convince administration)
    3. Current events/trends
    4. Needs and demands/aspirations of students and faculty.

  •  *all factors shape and interact*

Chiharu Okajima, ICAR- What are the differences between US ADR/CR programs and overseas programs?

  • US and Canadian Programs outnumber overseas programs

    • Grad Programs are usually 2 or more years

    • Emphasis on practice and internships

    • 1/3rd is interpersonal, 1/3rd are organizational and 1/3rd are miscellaneous and internationally focused

  • European Programs:

    • Grad Programs are usually 1 year programs.

    • Focus on International issues

    • Peace and development programs

Al B. Fuertes, ICAR- Saw firsthand guerrilla freedom fighters and street wars with the Police in the Philippines.

  • Field of study focuses on war trauma healing

    • How do you get past the anger?

  • What do we mean by international peace studies?

    • Culture

    • History

    • Language

    • Norms/ values

    • Society’s institutions

Peace Studies/ CR / Transformation; 4 issues-

  1. Philosophy/ Stance and orientation of the Academic Institution

  2. Funding

  3. Needs/Demands of students, administration, faculty, staff and Society

  4. Current Events

    • Socio-economic

    • Socio-political

    • Religion-cultural

Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network (SEACSN)

  • Network of individuals and institutions to collaborate and research Southeast Asian Conflict Resolution and ADR

Mindanao Peace-building Institute

  • Sponsored by –Catholic relief services

    • Mennonite Central Committee

    • Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

  • Semi-academic and experiential approach to learning, training and research

  • Purpose –Educate and empower communities and institutions

Peace Resource Center

  • Silliman University Philippines

  • Academic Based –Ties with the church and community

Summer Peace-building Institute

  • Institute on Conflict Transformation Program out of East Mennonite University

  • Business of Hope

    • Designed to provide specialized intensive training for academic credit or as professional training

  • Offers workshops, Graduate seminars, Intersession activities, etc

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