Aims and Objectives l Program Learning Outcomes l Course Contents l Faculty and Guest Expert Lecturers
Target Groups l Setting and Structure l Coursework Curriculum l Timeframe l Tuition and Fees
WHO ARE WE?
The Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University was established in 2004 by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in partnership with Chulalongkorn University as a program designed to train community leaders throughout the world through a short-term certificate course in peace and conflict studies.
The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$117.9 million contributed in 2004-05. Its event-filled history is a story of Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.
The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.
For more information on current Foundation program awards and financial status see the Rotary Foundation Fact Card and the Rotary Foundation Annual Report, both of which are available for download.
Here is a sampling of what some Rotarians, Foundation alumni, and others who have worked with the Foundation have said about the international work of The Rotary Foundation:
"Rotary set me on a course that I am still continuing. If I had not gone to the United States as an Ambassadorial Scholar, I don't think I would have pursued the study of International Relations." |
Sadako Ogata
Former United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees
Foundation Scholar, 1951-52 |
Visit websit: www.rotary.org
Chulalongkorn University is Thailand's oldest university
and is recognized worldwide for its academic excellence, which
employs approximately 2,730 full0time instructors in 457 fields
of study.
Chulalongkorn University was founded in 1917 but can trace its roots back to the Royal Pages School formed in 1871 by King Rama V. The university itself was established by King Rama VI to honor King Rama V and was endowed with a 212-hectare (523-acre) tract of land by the royal family to both accommodate its infrastructure and generate income to serve the university's academic needs.
With advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment, the university also boasts an impressive library housed in the Center of Academic Resources that holds 587,535 titles, subscribes to 1,194 journals in both Thai and English, and encompasses over 16,000 databases varying from full texts, indexes, and abstracts to e-books.
Not only is Chulalongkorn University well known for its academic accolades, it also offers a vast array of museums and research centers spanning many topics and fields of study.
Chulalongkorn University is commonly regarded as one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Asia and has been involved with hosting and sending Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars for many years.
Visit websit: www.chula.ac.th
WHAT WE DO?
The Rotary Peace and Conflict
Studies Program emerged from a continuing common concern
that the world has entered the 21st century experiencing pervasive
violent conflicts at the global, regional, national and community
levels. This concern has led to several attempts to increase the
capacity to deal with conflict constructively and peacefully.
Peace education and an embedded in the people and institutions
who are in one way or another confronting and dealing with conflict.
The program is a unique short-term certificate course
aims to inspire people to work for a culture of peace and tolerance,
to enhance capacity, knowledge and skill, and to generate interaction
between practitioners and academics. It hopes to attract people
already working in the area of conflict resolution and other parties
concerned with on-going and emergent conflict in the Southeast
and South Asian region.
It is anticipated that participants on the course, coming from
various countries in the region and from outside the region, may
establish their own connections and extend their networks so as
to empower a community of concerned practitioners and scholars
to advance mutual international understanding and foster a commitment
to resolve conflict peacefully.
The intensive short-term program, offered in English, is designed
for professionals in mid- to upper-level positions who can arrange
to take time off from their employment for just a few months to
participate in the program.
For up to three months, program participants
gain knowledge in both academic studies in the classroom and practical
field training learned through case studies research and participation.
Participants taking the program will have the chance to network,
practice their skills, exchange ideas, and develop new personal
and professional relationships with diverse industry leaders worldwide.
"I hope that through this program, peace is not just
a piece of paper…
but a practical tool to end possible conflicts."
|
Bhichai Rattakul
Chairman-elect, The Rotary Foundation Trustee,
Past Rotary International Presiden
|
Aims and Objectives
In addition to these aspirations, this programme will provide specific opportunities for knowledge acquisition and institutional development in the following areas:
- An understanding of distinctive theoretical content of the field of conflict resolution
- An opportunity to acquire ‘state of the art' knowledge about the application of this knowledge appropriate to the need of the region
- An examination of participants field experience in the light of concepts and theories encountered on the course
- The exploration of obstacles to and the development of approaches towards conflict resolution based on detailed knowledge of programmes and projects in the region
- An opportunity to acquire ‘state of the art’ knowledge, and to relate this appropriately to the needs of South East Asia and also to other areas of the world so as to contribute to the development of conflict resolution capacity globally
- The development of a peace and conflict studies learning centre, or centre of excellence, so as to make Chulalongkorn University a leading centre for both the study and facilitation of conflict resolution
- Replication and development of the Chulalongkorn model so as to serve as support for the initiation of similar programmes and centers at other Universities in the region and beyond
- Awareness of the mechanisms central to the development of national, regional and international policy related to conflict resolution.
Program Learning Outcomes
Following the above aims and objectives, participants will improve their understanding of the following aspects of conflict resolution:
- An awareness of how to contribute to the shaping of conflict resolution policy at national, regional and international levels
- An understanding of skills and methodologies for conflict mapping and analysis and of how to apply theses analytic methods to field work situations relevant to their areas of concern and responsibility
- Greater familiarity, acquired through case studies, of process skills (such as mediation, negotiation, problem solving and dialogue) used in conflict resolution and an understanding of how these may be relevant to their own field work and locales
- An opportunity to re-think and refashion existing models and practices and to contribute to the development of innovative ideas and techniques
- An opportunity to appreciate the educational approaches, values and ideas that underpin the process of peacemaking in order to produce change agents for peacebuilding in appropriate processes of non-violent social and cultural transformation
Course Content
The course comprises of theory, case studies, related simulations and problems-solving projects and intensive participation in group work conflict analysis and problem-solving.
The theoretical content of the course is divided into four central themes or units. Each unit is presented by two facilitators, combining partnerships of international, regional and Thailand-based faculty.
The course is organized into morning and afternoon sessions, each of three hours, where theories, case studies and other elements of the training and academic content are presented by facilitators and invited experts, and where participants are assigned to conflict analysis teams in which they apply the ideas presented in the program to a case study based on selected issues or conflicts in case studies.
Faculty and Guest Expert Lecturers
The curriculum for the three-month course has been uniquely designed by academics specialized in the field of peace studies to enable program participants to identify and understand the causes of conflict at the local, regional, and international levels, and provide them with the skills necessary to prevent and resolve conflict with a focus on the ability to effect change and maintain peace.
The Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program hosts a global group o experts, including faculty from the Political Science Department and other specialized departments of Chulalongkorn University, guest lecturers from universities outside of Bangkok, and international experts from diverse governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as private corporations.
Guest expert lecturers for the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program, Session I (July-September 2006) include:
| |
Dr.Tom
Woodhouse |
Department of
Peace Studies, Bradford University, UK |
| |
Dr.Chaiyan
Rajchagool |
Chiangmai University,
Thailand |
| |
Dr.Erik
Melander |
Uppsala University,
Sweden |
| |
Dr.Christopher
Mitchell |
George Mason
University, USA |
| |
Dr.Vanchai Vatanasapt |
King Prajadhipok's
Institute, Thailand |
| |
Dr.Suwit
Laohasiriwong |
Khon Kaen University,
Thailand |
| |
Dr.Kamarulzaman
Askandar |
University of
Malaya, Malaysia |
| |
Mr.Joe William |
Canadian International
Development Agency, Sri Lanka |
| |
Dr.Chaiwat
Satha-Anand |
Thammasat University,
Thailand |
| |
Ms.Siriporn
Skrobanek |
Foundation for
Women, Thailand |
| |
Dr.Gothom Arya |
National Economic
and Social Advisory Council, Thailand |
| |
Dr.Mark
Tamthai |
Payap University,
Thailand |
| |
Dr.Imtiyaz
Yusuf |
Assumption University,
Thailand |
| |
Mr.Soth Plai
Ngam |
Alliance for
Conflict Transformation |
| |
Mr.Chaiwat
Thirapantu |
Civicnet Institute,
Thailand |
| |
Dr.Lawrence Surendra |
Centre for Research
in Environment, Innovations,
Technology and Trade, India |
| |
Ms.Naree Charoenponpiriya |
National Reconciliation
Commission, Thailand |
| |
Ms.Pippa Curwen |
Burmese Relief
Center, Thailand |
| |
Dr.
Chantana Banpasirichote |
Chulalongkorn
University, Thailand |
| |
Mr.
Alfredo Ferrariz Lubang |
Nonviolence International
Southeast Asia |
| |
Dr.
Amara Pongsapich |
Rotary Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies |
| |
Mr.
Joel Schaffer |
Federal Mediation
and Conciliation Service, USA |
| |
Dr.
Puntip Sirivunnabood |
Chulalongkorn
University, Thailand |
| |
Dr.
Panrapee Suttiwan |
Chulalongkorn
University, Thailand |
| |
Dr.
Vitoon Viriyasakultorn |
USAID/ECO-Asia |
| |
Mr.Colonel
Songwit Noonpackdee |
Deputy Regiment
Commander, 11th Infantry Regiment of the King’s Guard |
| |
Dr.
Loreta Castro |
Miriam College,
Philippines |
| |
Ms.Reena
Kukreja |
Woman’s
Study Program, Queen’s University |
| |
Ms.Irene
Santiago |
Chief Executive
Officer, Mindanao Commission on Women |
| |
Dr.Kamala
Chandrakirana |
the Secretary
General of the Indonesian National Commission on Violence
Against Women, Indonesia |
| |
Dr.Abhoud
Syed M. Lingga |
Executive director
of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies in Cotabato City,
Philippines |
| |
Dr.Craig
Zelizer |
Senior partner
, alliancefor conflict transformation and visiting Asst.
Prof., Dept.of Govt., Georgetown university |
| |
Dr.David
Connolly |
Post-war Reconstruction
and Development Unit (PRDU) University of York, UK |
| |
Prof.Geoff
Harris |
Lecturer and
researcher at School of Economics, University of Natal, Durban,
South Africa |
| |
Mr.
John A. Wagner |
Federal Mediation & Conciliation
Service, (FMCS) |
| |
Dr.
June Pagaduan-Lopez |
M.D. Professor
of Psychiatry |
| |
Mr.Mirsad "Miki" Jacevic |
Bosnia Program
Director |
| |
Mr.Peter
J. Bryan Swanson |
Senior partner,
carr swanson & randolph, llc |
| |
Ven.Paisarn
Visalo |
Abbot of Wat
Pa Sutako, Temple in Kaengkhlor District,
Chaiyapoom Province |
| |
Dr.Oliver
Richmond |
School of internation
relations university of st. andrews |
| |
Mr.Jehan
Perera |
Executive Director
of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka (NPCSL) |
| |
Rev.Ray
Helmick |
Instructor in
Conflict Resolution at Boston College
and Senior Associate in the Program in Preventive Diplomacy
at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in
Washington D.C. |
| |
Dr.Hamdi
Muluk |
Department of
psychology University of Indonesia |
| |
Bhikkhuna
Dhamma Nandha
|
Wat Shongdhamkalayani
,Nakhonpathom, Thailand |
| |
Dr.
Rosalia Sciortino |
Institute
of Population and Social Research (IPSR), Mahidol University |
Target Groups
Participants, with or without financial support from the Rotary International/Foundation, must have certain qualifications:
Eligibility Requirements
- Employed, mid-range/mid-career, with at least five years in a relevant field. Should be upper or middle level employees in an agency and be able to apply the skills provided through the program when they return to their job
- Good command of English
- Possess an academic degree the equivalent of a Bachelor Degree
- Non-Rotarian and not a lineal descendent of a living Rotarian or someone who has been a Rotarian within 36 months before applying to the program
Composition of Participants for Each Course
- Mix of professions, including those from the government sector, corporate sector, non-governmental organizations and media
- From the last 3 batches of participants, over 27 countries and 6 continents have been represented
Setting and Structure
The first segment of the session offers theoretical content in a classroom environment structured to allow one-on-one interaction and involvement in small group discussions. One-on-one consultation with faculty is available through formal and informal interactions period Host Rotarian counselors will provide opportunities for program participants to meet and network with members of the Bangkok business, NGO, and government communities.
The second segment of the session offers practical field training through field visits based on case studies learned in the classroom. Field study days are required to enable program participants to advance their individual study assignments and group work projects.
Courses for both segments are conducted in the morning and afternoon, and last up to three hours each. The course is a physically’s emotionally’s and spiritually demanding one which requires participants to commit nearly 400 hours of study time to learning about issues of peace and conflict resolution. In addition, participants are required to adjust to both life in Thailand and to the cultures and settings of host countries during international field studies.
Model Curriculum
The theoretical components of the short-term certificate program’s curriculum will include the following four themes, each with a set of related subtopics. Case studies will provide practical application of what has been discussed in the classroom.
Module I: Introduction to concepts and values of peace and conflict studies
Topics include: Conflict resolution: The state of the art; Explaining the elicitive method; Nature of conflict; Root causes of conflict; Types of conflict; Strategies for resolution; Perspective on conflict; Defining conflict resolution: Classic models and concepts; Southeast-Asian practices; and case studies.
Module II: Diagnosis and analysis
Topics include: Causal models revisited; Conflict data; Conflict triangle; Power and conflict; Conflict cycle; Subjective conflict analysis: A Buddhist approach; Using conflict mapping; Conflict tracking; Conflict impact assessment; and case studies.
Field trip I: Resource based conflict
Module III: Conflict resolution: Skills, approaches, and strategies
Topics include: Problem solving; Communication in conflict situations; Negotiations; Mediation; Peacekeeping; Conflict resolution and civil society; Peace process; Building zones of peace; Nonviolent action, conflict resolution, and peacemaking; and case studies.
Field trip II: Mediation
Module IV: Transforming conflict: Building a sustainable peace
Topics include: Cross-cultural conflict resolution; Cultural dimension of conflict resolution; Religion, peace and conflict: Interfaith dialogue and Intra-faith dialogue; Post-armed conflict peace building; Reconciliation; Truth commissions, memory and healing the wounds of the past; Peace education and peace building: Sustaining culture of peace; Gender and peace building; Policy advocacy for peacemaking; capacity and network building; Case studies; Nonviolent Strategies and Peacekeeping: Use of Military.
Field trip III: Ethnic conflict
Course conclusion, presentations, and graduation
The course requires attendance and participation at all sessions, as well as submission of all required assignments. There are two main assignments: An Individual Conflict Assignment which is presented during the 1st week of class and subsequently relied and revised throughout the course and a Group Course Project which is a collaborative effort that climates in a presentation during the last week of the course. Participants also fulfill the requirements of the course will be awarded with a certificate signed by The Chair of The Rotary Foundation and the president of Chulalongkorn university
Timeframe
The course is 11 weeks and opens two times each year. The appropriate time frame for the bi-annual sessions are:
- First session: July-September
- Second session: January-February
Tuition and Fees
Each program participant's employer is asked to cover all or a portion of the 200,000 THB (approximated 5,700 USD at 35 THB/ 1 USD) cost of the three-month session which includes tuition, room and board, and field study expenses. The Rotary Foundation will provide funding for round-trip travel for program participants living outside of Bangkok, as well as a limited number of full and partial fellowships for candidates whose employers cannot afford the full cost of the program.
TEAM
