Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Symposium

The University of Wolverhampton is organising a second symposium from 19 to 23 April 2010 at the Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre near Trondheim in Norway.

The symposium, entitled Skills, Practice and Understanding in European Conflict Resolution and Peace Implementation, is part of a Leonardo da Vinci mobility project coordinated by Professor John Buckley and Dr. Eamonn O’Kane of the History, Politics and War Studies department at the University of Wolverhampton.

The aim of the symposium is to bring together a diverse range of professionals involved in conflict resolution and peace-building who have not traditionally met together to discuss their work -- academics, government policy makers and practitioners from military institutions and NGOs dedicated to the introduction of peace initiatives. 

The is the second and final symposium to be sponsored by this Leonardo da Vinci mobility grant.  Read more about the first symposium from 15-19 June 09.

Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre

The centre is housed in a Norwegian WWII prisoner-of-war camp and is now an internationally renowned centre for education and research on peace and reconciliation. 

Last year's participants found the location to be “perfect and most conducive to this kind of programme”.  Another commented that the environment – with its displays, its research, its history and its surroundings –“was exactly right for the discussions in which we were engaged.”  The group also visited the nearby city of Trondheim, the Norwegian Air Force Academy and a local island.

Call for papers

Papers on topics related to international conflict resolution, peace implementation and reconciliation would be welcome from:

• NGO practitioners
• Academics and researchers from universities or military colleges
• Government officials or policy makers
• Security or military professionals
• Peace organisations and practitioners
• Museums or other institutions engaging in peace or conflict studies

In line with the Leonardo da Vinci rules, participants must be:

• British citizens or anyone who lives and works in the UK
• Able to spend the full five days at the symposium

Participants will be expected to present a half-hour paper on their work.  A number of funded places are available for those participating. 

To register your interest in offering a paper and taking part in the 2010 symposium, please contact:

• Dr. Eamonn O’Kane (E.Okane@wlv.ac.uk)
• Professor John Buckley (J.Buckley@wlv.ac.uk)

For further information about the symposium, contact the administrator:

• Linda Townsend (L.Townsend3@wlv.ac.uk)