Following the success of the 2014 International Summer School (ISS) in Peace and Conflict Studies, the Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Cyprus, announces the Second International Summer School in Peace and Conflict Studies, which is organized in collaboration with the European Consortium for Political Research and the International Association for Peace and Conflict Studies. The 2015 ISS focus theme will be "State Fragmentation, Regional Crises and War Endings".

 

 

 

The continuation of war, terrorist and secessionist movements, and the radicalization of politics in cross-national and regional contexts present pressing and persistent crises to the international system. In some occasions, basic governance and welfare provisions have collapsed. Humanitarian relief has become ever more necessary but increasingly dangerous. Beyond the fragility of state institutions, the viability of 20th century state formations is in serious doubt in certain regions. Conflict resolution and peacebuilding theory and practice face new problems and challenges that require serious reflection and understanding, careful engagement and well-thought action.

 

The purpose of the ISS is to bring together leading academics in the interdisciplinary field of Peace and Conflict Studies with practitioners and postgraduate students who are working in this area. The objective is to develop a corpus of critical knowledge which will influence peacebuilding theory, methodology, ethics and policy, as well as to have a broader impact on the key agendas of IR-peacemaking. To this end, the subjects and themes of the summer school will range from peace and conflict theories to policy analysis and field work experiences. This multileveled approach to the problems of peace and conflict studies – from theory to practice – will be channeled into all the various themes and subjects; in this way, the ISS forum will be both broad and deep in scope.

 

 

 

The ISS will focus on a number of areas of study and research that relate to the problems of postconflict peacekeeping like, for example, sustainable development, political economy, social psychology, political theory, sociology, environmental studies, gender and conflict, critical geography, religion, social anthropology, area studies, urban studies and international relations.

 

The structure of the ISS will be critically oriented – as opposed to discipline oriented – for the overarching purpose of: a) debating and discussing a critical research and policy agenda for peace and conflict studies going forward; b) creating a networking environment that will break down many of the isolating walls of contemporary, discipline-centred academia; c) attracting leading figures in the field and researchers interested in sharing ideas across place and discipline; d) responding to the critical question of what type of local, national regional and international political arrangements might be suitable for a postliberal, postcolonial, post-cold war era.

 

 

"This Summer School taught me that there is a vast pool of ideas and possibilities in the academic world. Being surrounded by a group of people and teachers who study a different field of conflict and peace has opened my eyes to a lot more ideas. I realize now that, before coming here, I was perhaps too constricted in what I perceived as relevant or important enough to make a contribution to reconciliation processes ... I am happy I have been able to combine my field of interest – American Studies – with peacebuilding, in a way that makes me enthusiastic to make a contribution in this academic field"   (Romee Cnossen, MA, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands)

 

 

 

The ISS seeks to attract reflective research students (MA or PhD), preferably with field experience, working on a broad range of issues pertaining to peace and peacebuilding. The aim is to broaden rather than restrict input and to bring together individuals with different disciplinary backgrounds and professional experiences.

 

 

 

The Summer School will be taught in intensive morning and afternoon sessions. It will be organized around lectures and seminars led by experts. It will also include roundtables, panels and discussion sessions with scholars and practitioners. Furthermore, there will be an UNFICYP study tour along the buffer zone in Nicosia. A fieldtrip will be organized around a specific topic, while events will be held to facilitate the discussion of research agendas. One hour each day will be invested for student consultation, while one day will be allocated to students to present their own research work and receive feedback from the teaching faculty.

 

 

 

International Teaching Faculty: Emel Akçalı (Central European University), Annika Björkdahl (Lund University), Rebecca Bryant (LSE), Ayşe Betül Çelik (Sabancı University), Thomas Diez (University of Tübingen), Daniela Donno (University of Pittsburgh), Yael Navaro-Yashin (University of Cambridge), Sandra Pogodda (University of Manchester), Oliver Richmond (University of Manchester), Nicholas Sambanis (Yale University).

 

Local Teaching Faculty: Constantinos Adamides, Costas M. Constantinou, Antonis Ellinas, Maria Hadjipavlou, Mete Hatay, Nayia Kamenou, Farid Mirbagheri, Yiannis Papadakis, Charis Psaltis, Socrates Stratis, Michalinos Zembylas.

 

 

 

 

 

The summer school will take place in Old Nicosia, the heart of Cyprus's divided capital, which provides a cozy and vibrant environment, as well as the opportunity for social and cultural entertainment during day and nighttime. The intractable Cyprus Problem provides a useful backdrop to study issues of peace and conflict. In the heart of a vibrant divided city, participants will be able to experience first-hand peace and conflict predicaments and reflect on wider issues from around the globe.

 

 

"I became acutely aware of the fact that conflict is more than violence and peace is more than the absence of war ... What do you do when, from the moment of one's birth, one's whole identity is constructed on the basis of the opposition to the enemy on the other side?... How can you form a community with someone you cannot forgive? ... I think the combination of lectures, roundtables, field trips and, of course, student presentations is exactly the way to organize a summer school on a subject as complex and multifaceted as peace and conflict"   (Anatoly Reshetnikov, PhD, Central European University, Hungary)

 

 

All participants receive a Summer School Certificate of Attendance (5 ECTS) or a Diploma (10 ECTS) on the basis of a 7000 words Research Paper.

 

 

 

 

The Summer School provides university student accommodation for the participants. If you opt for your own accommodation, here are some suggestions. Special prices have been negotiated for participants.

 

Hotel Centrum – Price Range €48-81 (www.centrumhotelcyprus.com)

 

Hotel Classic – Price Range €46-60 (www.classic.com.cy)

 

Hotel Royiatiko – Price Range €61-90 (www.royiatikohotel.com.cy). For reservations, use code "ISS 2015".

 

Youth Hostel Nicosia – Prices from €10 (www.youthboard.org.cy)

 

 

 

 

A limited number of scholarships will be awarded on a merit and need basis to partially cover participation and/or travel expenses.

 

 

 

Maria Hadjipavlou (Chair), University of Cyprus Costas M. Constantinou, University of Cyprus Antonis Ellinas, University of Cyprus

 

 

 

For further information contact Nayia Kamenou (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

"My time in Cyprus has re-ignited my love for the island, provided me with a sense of motivation and determination to continue developing it as a case study within my PhD thesis and to draw parallels with Northern Ireland, especially in respect of the content of an international nature with regard to NGOs, development, diplomacy and peace and order. My heartfelt thanks go to the organizing committee who were both generous and helpful with their time and dedication to the programme and respective expertise"   (Andrew Charles, PhD, Queen's University, Belfast)