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Conference Announcement Theme: Alternative Approaches in Conflict Resolution Type: Interdisciplinary Conference Institution: Center for Ethics, Zurich University Jena Center for Reconciliation Studies, Jena University Location: Zurich (Switzerland) Date: 12.–15.11.2015 __________________________________________________ Persistent and newly emerging conflicts around the world have made the search for successful and sustainable conflict resolution imperative. With traditional military intervention repeatedly leading to the transformation of entire regions into zones of instability and violence (e.g. Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan), the study of alternative and less violent approaches to conflict resolution has gained momentum. The aim of this conference is to bring together innovative approaches in conflict resolution both for discussion and for the exploration of concrete improvements in conflict resolution strategies. Five different focal points will serve this purpose: negotiations, religion and gender, reconciliation and forgiveness, dealing with the past and transitional justice, and the arts. This interdisciplinary conference seeks to combine the knowledge and insights of experts from academia, NGOs and politics alike. Public Lecture Thursday, Nov 12, 2015 Location: Zurich University, Center, Rämistrasse 59, 8001 Zurich Room: Aula, RAA G-01 Pre-Conference 18.15-20.00 Leymah Gbowee (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Liberia) On how to end a civil war: Lessons learned from Liberia Welcoming Address: Prof. Dr. Michael O. Hengartner, President, Zurich University Prof. Dr. Thomas Schlag, Dean, Faculty of Theology, Zurich University Leymah Gbowee (1972) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her engagement in ending the Liberian Civil War. This war raged from 1989 to 2003, with only brief interruptions. At its center was warlord and President Charles Taylor, who became infamous for his ruthless use of child soldiers turned against the country’s civilian population. Gbowee became responsible for leading a women’s peace movement that was pivotal in first achieving peace talks between the rivalling factions and finally forcing President Charles Taylor into exile. Gbowee’s efforts, along with her collaborator Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, initiated a period of peace with free elections in 2005 that Sirleaf won. Leymah Gbowee is the founder and president of “Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa” based in Monrovia, which provides educational and leadership opportunities to girls, women and the youth in Liberia. She speaks internationally to advance women‘s rights, peace and security. Friday, Nov 13, 2015 Location: Zurich University, Center, Rämistrasse 59, 8001 Zurich Room: Aula, RAA G-01 Conference Beginning 9.00-9.10 Christine Schliesser (Zurich University) Welcome and Opening of the Conference 1. Alternative Approaches: Negotiations 9.10-10.30 Rudolf Schüssler (Bayreuth University/Processes in International Negotiations) Negotiations and Conflict Resolution. The Role of Justice Response: Franceso Ferrari (Jena University) 10.30-10.50 Coffee Break 10.50-12.10 Cesare Zucconi (Sant’Egidio, Rome) Beyond Official Negotiations Response: Monika Wilhelm (Zurich University) 12.10-13.10 Julie Bernath (swisspeace, Bern & Basel University) Briony Jones (swisspeace, Bern & University of Warwick) Understanding ‘Resistance’ to Transitional Justice: Looking Beyond Negotiation and Contestation. 13.10-14.40 Lunch Break 14.20-15.50 Eriks Jekabson (Chicago, formerly Latvia) Political Negotiations Response: Michael Braunschweig (Zurich University) 16.00-16.20 Coffee Break 2. Alternative Approaches: Religion and Gender 16.20-17.40 Leymah Gbowee (Liberia) Conflict Resolution, Religion, and the Role of Women in Liberia Response: Zeina Barakat (Jena University) Saturday, Nov 14, 2015 Location: Zurich University, Faculty of Theology, Kirchgasse 9, 8001 Zurich Room: 200 2. Alternative Approaches: Religion and Gender (cont.) 9.00-10.20 Richard Friedli (Fribourg University) Religious Dimensions in Conflict Transformation Response: Johanna Breidenbach (Zurich University) 3. Alternative Approaches: Reconciliation and Forgiveness 10.20-11.40 Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (University of the Free State, South Africa) After Historical Trauma, People Always have the Power to Forgive: Acting in Relationship and the Intersubjective Encounter Response: Maria Palme (Jena University) 11.40-12.00 Coffee Break 12.00-13.20 Christo Thesnaar (Stellenbosch University) Experiences in Reconciliation in South Africa Response: Mathias Tanner (Bern University) 13.20-14.50 Lunch Break 14.50-16.20 Christine Schliesser (Zurich University) Esther Mujawayo (Rwanda/Düsseldorf) Reconciliation, Remembrance and Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in View of Post-Genocide Rwanda Response: Helmut Keiner (Kigali/Düsseldorf) 16.20-16.40 Coffee Break 4. Alternative Approaches: the Arts 16.45-18.15 Bruce Clarke (Paris) Genocide, Memory, and the Arts Response: Joram Tarusarira (Jena University) Sunday, Nov 15, 2015 Location: Zurich University, Faculty of Theology, Kirchgasse 9, 8001 Zurich Room: 200 4. Alternative Approaches: the Arts (cont.) 9.00-10.20 Mary Zournazi (University of Western Sydney, Australia) Wim Wenders (USA, Hamburg University) Inventing Peace Response: Alice el-Wakil (Zurich University) 10.20-10.40 Coffee Break 6. Alternative Approaches: Synthesis 10.40-12.00 David Gushee (Mercer University, USA) Conflict Resolution and Just Peacemaking Response: Kebadu Mekonnen (Zurich University) 12.00-12.30 Martin Leiner (Jena University) Harvesting the Fruits and Conference Ending Afternoon Offer: 14.30-16.00 Free Guided City Walk Organizers Prof. Dr. Martin Leiner (Jena University) Dr. Christine Schliesser (Zurich University) There is no conference fee. Registration required. Doctoral students may obtain 2 ECTS-credits. Required are the participation in the entire conference and an essay in consultation with Prof. Dr. Martin Leiner or Dr. Christine Schliesser. For further information and registration email: Dr. Christine Schliesser [email protected] Conference website: http://www.ethik.uzh.ch/ufsp/agenda/conflictresolution.html __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
