Foundations Of Peace and Development Studies

Course description

Resource Person: Dr. Ashad Ssentongo & Dr. Hlene Nambalirwa Nkabala

The foundations for peace studies were first laid in Europe in the 1950s and 60s with the founding of several peace research institutes to respond to the issues of the genocide after WWII and Cold War and today as related to issues of civil war, violence, terrorism acts, inequalities affecting human rights and development. The module is designed to engage follows in understanding the relevant frameworks and approaches towards building local peace and sustainable development. Cases that explore “post-conflict” and other humanitarian situations mostly in Africa, including the role of intergovernmental organizations.

Aim :

Obtain knowledge of basic theories of peace and relevant analytical frameworks to establish and understand the relationship between peace and development, and to be able to identify key multi-level elements and stakeholder roles and responsibilities to achieve local peace in their respective countries.

Objectives:

To understand the hybrid nature of localizing peace as an outcome of collective efforts by local actors, the state and international actors, and as a necessary condition for sustainable “positive peace” and development.

Scope:

The course will cover a range of topics to be able to apply relevant frameworks and approaches towards building local peace and sustainable development. Cases under the course will explore “post-conflict” and other humanitarian situations mostly in Africa, including the role of intergovernmental organizations e.g. the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and also ongoing efforts particularly in the Central African Republic, Rwanda, DRC Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.

References/ Readings

  1. UNDP (20016). Local Governance in Fragile and Conflict- Affected Setting: Building and Resilient Foundation for Peace and Development.
  2. Hintjens H and Dubravka Z, (2015). Conflict Peace, Security and Development: The Methodologies (Ed) Routledge 7113rd Avenue, New York NY 100017.
  3. Erin Mccandless and Tony Karbo, (2011). Peace, Conflict, and Development in Africa: A Reader, Education For Peace African Programme, University For Peace, Switzerland.
  4. Galtung Johan, (1996). Peace By Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization, Prio, Sage Publication, London, Part II Pages (70-126) and Part IV Pages 196 – 274.