Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding: from Theory to Practice
Course Description:
Classes will take place through Google meet: https://meet.google.com/bhe-tewu-hot
1. Friday – 06.05.2022: Introduction and conceptual framework
09.45 – 11.15 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 11.30 – 13.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST)
Required reading:
GALTUNG, Johan (1996) Peace by peaceful means. London: SAGE.
LEDERACH, John Paul (2014) The Little Book of Conflict Transformation. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.
2. Friday – 13.05.2022: Non-Violent Communication and Mediation
09.45 – 11.15 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 11.30 – 13.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST)
Required reading:
ROSENBERG, Marshall B.(2005) Speak peace: what you say next will change your world. Encinitas: Puddle Dancer Press.
MOOR, Christopher W. (2014) The mediation process: practical strategies for resolving conflict. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
3. Friday – 20.05.2022: Peacemaking circles
09.45 – 11.15 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 11.30 – 13.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST)
Required reading:
BOYES-WATSON, Carolyn and PRANI, Kay (2010) Heart of Hope Resource Guide: Using Peacemaking Circles to Develop Emotional Literacy, Promote Healing, and Build Healthy Relationship. St. Paul: Living Justice Press.
4. Friday – 27.05.2022: Student presentations
09.45 – 11.15 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 11.30 – 12.15 (Local time in Poland – CEST)
Aims of the course:
This workshop aims at addressing conflict transformation and peacebuilding from their theoretical foundations to practical approaches. It will be explored a variety of concepts, skills and methods regarding conflict management strategies, encompassing non-violent communication, mediation and peace circles. Along the course, theory will be balanced with practical role plays and exercises as a pedagogical tool to illustrate and solidify the content taught.
Upon completing this workshop students should be able to:
Understand various concepts and theoretical frameworks within Peace Studies;
Understand a range of conflict management strategies;
Discuss conflict transformation and peacebuilding at various levels of human interaction,
from interpersonal to international contexts;
Apply theory to the practice of conflict transformation;
Reflect on their relationship to conflict and their roles towards peaceful communities;
Identify key skills that are critical for conflict transformation;
Develop a peacebuilding strategy that could be applied to address a specific conflict.
Evaluation & Completion:
Students’ performance in this course will be evaluated through the following activities and assignments:
1. Student participation in the discussions and activities in class (30% of the grade).
Students are expected to have read the texts before each class and to actively engage in the proposed activities.
2. Peacebuilding Strategy Project (70% of the grade)
Students will work in groups to formulate a peacebuilding strategy to be applied to any conflict scenarios of their choice. The project will encompass a 20-minutes presentation per group and an up to 5-pages paper.
The project will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. Clarity.
2. Application of the theoretical framework covered along the course to a concrete case.
3. Adequacy of the application of conflict management strategies (non-violent communication, mediation and/or peacemaking circles) to the case in analysis.
4. Depth of the analysis.
