Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Center
Oct. 31, 2016, 10:08 a.m.

Establishment

Logo_peace

The Center was created in 2001, as the University of Duhok’s institutional home of the Academic Consortium for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution, an international network of organizations dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflict in the Kurdistan Region, that included the University of Duhok, Salahaddin University, the University of Sulaimania, Columbia University’s Center for International Conflict Resolution, American University’s Center for Global Peace, and the Conflict Management Group. In 2008, the center moved to the College of Law and Politics to be one of the college's centers. In September 2015, the center moved to the presidency of University of Duhok and became one of the centers that directly affiliated to the office of the president of University of Dohuk. 

About

The Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies is the home of teaching, research, and practice in peacebuilding at the University of Duhok. 

Description

The Center is affiliated with the Master of Arts program in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, the only degree program in all of Iraq that is dedicated to teaching students about the emerging theory and practice of peacebuilding. The Center conducts research on subjects related to peace and conflict in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, hosts seminars and workshops with local and national stakeholders in politics and civil society, and engages with international partners to develop new knowledge that can contribute to increased peacefulness in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. 

Previous Activities

In August 2003, the Center hosted a conflict resolution curriculum development workshop for 13 instructors from Salahaddin University, Duhok University, and the University of Sulaimania. The workshop was implemented by the Center for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia University.

With funding by the United Stated Institute of Peace, the Center conducted a Conflict Resolution Training Course for 60 students from Salahaddin University, the University of Sulaimania, and Duhok University. The project lasted from February 1, 2005 to July 31, 2005.

In 2008-2009, the United Nations University for Peace supported the creation of the University of Duhok’s MA program. From 2010-2011, the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies collaborated with New York University’s Center for Global Affairs on a project aimed at consolidating the MA program in peace and conflict resolution studies. Six UoD professors traveled to New York to work on curriculum development and pedagogy over an 18-month period.

In May 19, 2012, in collaboration with Mennonite Central Committee, the Center held the symposium “Learning Peace and Peacebuilding from Clergymen”. The symposium was attended by approximately 25 Muslim, Christian, and Yazidi clergymen.  

In May 16, 2013, the Center held the symposium “Religious Feasts as Bridges for Peace”. The symposium was attended by approximately 20 Muslim, Christian, Yazidi, Kaka’i, Mandaean, and Baha’i clergymen and activists. The symposium was supported by the Mennonite Central Committee.

In June 21, 2014, the Center held its third religious symposium under the aim "Promoting the Dialogue of Religious Tolerance”. The symposium was attended by approximately 40 Muslim, Christian, Yazidi, and Baha’i clergymen, and academics and civil society activists. The symposium was supported by the Mennonite Central Committee.

In June 4, 2015, the Center held its fourth religious symposium under the aim "Promoting Tolerance Education”. The symposium was attended by approximately 35 Muslim, Christian, Yazidi, and Baha’i clergymen, and academics and civil society activists. The symposium was supported by the Mennonite Central Committee. 

In August 9-11, 2015, and in collaboration with UNICEF , the centre held a training workshop for 60 teachers and headmasters in the city of Kirkuk. The workshop held under the aim (promotion of civic values and skills essential for life to promote peace). The workshop has been conducted by center's trainers Khider Klo Ali and Sadiq Sadiq Hamed.  

On Thursday, September 17th, Human Rights Centre of Pease and Human Security-American University of Duhok Kurdistan (CPHS-AUDK), General Consulate of US-Erbil and Center for Peace and Conflict-UoD held a Humanitarian Event based on the Human Rights Challenges Facing Minority Communities in Iraqi Kurdistan at the American University Duhok Kurdistan (AUDK). This event was attended by over a 100 distinguished guests including the Consul General Mr. Mitman, The President of AUDK Dr. Mulnix and the President of the University of Duhok Dr. Mosleh. Ms Saeed made a powerful statement on the need to fight human trafficking in the 21st century and the importance of reconciliation for the future of region as a whole. She stressed that many women and girls are still being held captive by the Islamic State group, and that young boys were also being brainwashed into fighting for IS.

Recent Activities

From July-August 2012, the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies facilitated the implementation of the Joint Research Seminar in Peacebuilding, an initiative of UoD and NYU that enabled nine MA students to travel to New York University for a 15-day intensive seminar. During this time, they formed research teams with counterparts from New York University’s Master of Science in Global Affairs Program. The research teams developed proposals for peacebuilding field research that were later conducted in the Kurdistan Region in January 2013 and were collected and published as Finding Peace in Iraq. This successful collaboration between UoD and NYU was renewed for the 2013 academic year and UoD will again host partnered field research teams in January 2014.

In 2013, the Center in collaboration with the New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, with funding from the US Department of State, began a 12-month program to support the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies as a research center and as the academic and practice-oriented center of excellence in peacebuilding for all of Iraq. Envisioned activities for the one-year project include hosting the first international symposium focused on the intersection of peacebuilding and education in Iraq, designing and implementing a community-based peace education program, and establishing two new research projects – a conflict assessment of displaced communities in Duhok and an examination of mediation in the Iraqi court system.

In June 4, 2015, the Center held its fourth religious symposium under the aim "How to promote moderate religious discourse and address extremist thought”. The symposium was attended by approximately 35 Muslim, Christian, Yazidi, and Baha’i clergymen, academics and civil society activists. The symposium was supported by the Mennonite Central Committee. MCC funded printing the First Kurdish “Manual of Conflict Resolution and Peacebuidling”, which will be issued by the center in August 2015.

In August 9-11, 2015, the Center in collaboration with UNICEF held a three days workshop for 60 teachers and school headmasters in the city of Kirkuk. The workshop aimed at promoting peace through enhancing civic values and essential life skills.

On Thursday, September 17th, Center of Peace and Human Security-American University of Duhok Kurdistan and Center for Peace and Conflict-UoD held a humanitarian event based on the human rights challenges facing minority communities in Iraqi Kurdistan at the American University Duhok Kurdistan. The event was attended by over a 100 distinguished guests including, Consul General US-Erbil Matthias Mitman, and the presidents of both universities.

Publications

  • A Religious Vision of Tolerance and Peace, 2012 (Arabic)
  • Religious Feasts as Bridges for Peace, 2013 (Arabic)
  • Peace in the Philosophy of Islam, 2014 (Arabic)
  • National reconciliation in Iraq, a political study of the Iraqi situation after 2003, 2014 (Arabic)
  • Humanitarian concepts of religions promote acceptance of the other, 2014 (Arabic) 
  • Manual of Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, 2015 (Kurdish)


Contact person

Dr. Jotyar M.R. Sedeeq; Director

Email: pcrs@uod.ac

Mobile: 00964 (0)750 468 8124

Address

 Zakho Street 38

1006AJ Duhok

Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq


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