New short-term peace program begins

By Joseph Derr
Rotary International News

A new Rotary-sponsored educational program reinforcing Rotary's longstanding commitment to cultivating peace and understanding began 3 July.

The inaugural class of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies program started a three-month, English-language program at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. Offered by The Rotary Foundation, the program is aimed at professionals, with a curriculum focused on
the theory and practice of peace, professional mediation, and conflict resolution.

The diverse group of 15 participants from 10 countries work in fields directly related to actual conflict situations. Participants include mid-to-upper level government workers, nongovernmental
organization officers, educators, military and law enforcement officers, lawyers, media professionals, and union leaders.

Giving policymakers tools to adapt to local contexts is an effective path to resolving conflict, says Yukiko Nishikawa, deputy director of the program.

"This program gives participants seeds with sufficient ideas and tools to deal with conflict, which they bring home, grow, and multiply in their own organization and country," she says.

Already the program is having an impact on participants such as Richelieu Allison from Liberia.

"In a short period of time, I have observed a transformation taking place not only within my head, but also with the rest of the participants," says Allison, a regional director for the West African Youth Network. "I plan to utilize the skills gained here to train young people at the community level to serve as agents for peace."

Zelie Pollon, a U.S. journalist, said the program is providing a lot of context for understanding current world events. "We [are gaining] tools to deconstruct conflict, look closely at its component parts â€" the actors, beliefs, and specific behaviors â€" and recommend plans for resolution," Pollon said.

The curriculum is unique in that it takes an interactive approach in which individuals' experience plays a critical role in contributing to theory and practice, according to Nishikawa. "Participants, as well as lecturers and facilitators, are considered agents of knowledge and skilled persons," she says.

The program has been enthusiastically supported by Thai Rotarians from throughout the country. Numerous Rotarians have gone out of their way to welcome the class, some driving for hours to pick up arriving participants at the airport or serving as counselors.

Rotarians throughout Thailand also plan to welcome program participants during upcoming fieldtrips outside of Bangkok, according to Saowalak Rattanavich of the Rotary Club of Bangrak,
Thailand, who serves as host area coordinator for the program.

Applications are currently being accepted for the January 2007 and July 2007 sessions.

Source: R I Newsroom / www.rotary.org
Courtesy: Centre for P.E.A.C.E.