| UPEACE/Geneva
eNews - March 2005 |
University for Peace |
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In this Issue
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by UPEACE Geneva.
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UPEACE Africa Programme and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) are pleased to announce the release of a new publication entitled “Directory of Peace Studies in Africa 2004”. The directory is a result of a continental-wide survey conducted over the past two years targeting established institutions in Africa. Included is feedback from participating institutions on existing programmes in the field of peace studies in terms of teaching, research and community service. The directory is designed to be easily shared and disseminated among institutions and individuals as a viable reference tool. A readily accessible and modifiable database has been compiled covering 121 departments in 109 institutions in 34 African countries. Hence, an invitation is extended to those working in this field to vigilantly help us keep the information in this database current, so as to ensure that the directory accurately serves its intended purpose. Click here to download a PDF version of the report. The week of 22nd to 26th February ushered in new dimensions of the University for Peace's planned support at a Regional Masters "Media for Peace" programme and opened the door to the extension of its programmes to the francophone zone of Africa. Following the first meeting of the Regional MA Media for Peace Programme which took place in June/July 2003 in Butare, Rwanda, UPEACE organised a follow up consultative meeting on the subject, in Bujumbura, Burundi. The meeting brought together media and communication professionals from UPEACE partner universities in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Together with UPEACE communication consultant, Mr. Athanase Karayenga, and the UPEACE Dean of African Studies, Dr. Edith Natukunda-Togboa, the regional experts discussed and resolved several pertinent issues pertaining to the curriculum content of the MA Programme. The curriculum content and the structure of similar courses being offered by the UPEACE Institute of Media, Peace and Security (IMPS) were taken into consideration to overcome these issues. Overall, great interest was expressed in the UPEACE Regional MA Media for Peace programme. This was amplified by the Vice-President of Burundi Hon. Ngenzebuhor Frederic who said, "The search for peace is not just a priority of our government, it is the very essence of our nation. We believe that the Regional MA Media for Peace is going to help us get out of instability". In addition, a mini-consultation of Rectors from francophone universities of Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC considered strategies of partnership between UPEACE and universities of the region. A wide range of peace related activities that can be undertaken jointly in the areas of training, research and the production of teaching materials were assessed. Call for Papers: Journal of Peacebuilding and Development The Journal of Peacebuilding and Development (JPD), a formal partner of the UPEACE Africa Programme, is a new refereed journal providing a forum for the sharing of critical thinking and constructive action on issues at the intersections of conflict, development, and peace. JPD is calling for papers for it's next issue on the theme of conflict resolution in the context of development (abstract deadline: April 15, 2005). The publication endeavors to capture and examine critical peace building and development topics and questions that challenge our era, including:
Articles submitted to the Journal should be original contributions. Please clearly indicate if article is under consideration by another publisher at the time of submission. Articles are read by 2-3 outside reviewers, and the editors. Briefings are also read by one reviewer. Articles covering the following categories will be considered: Critical
Themes and Case Analysis – critical case studies and/or
thematic discussion and analysis of topical peace building and development
themes. Maximum words: 6,000. Each manuscript may be submitted either by email or by regular mail. All manuscripts must be submitted in Word format. If the author submits the manuscript by regular mail, it should be typewritten – either single or double-sided pages – and should be submitted on PC-compatible high-density 3 ½ inch diskettes, with each diskette labeled with the author(s)’s name(s) and title of article, for consideration by the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development. Any diagrams and maps should be copied to a separate disk (or as a separate attachment) in Word format in individual files. Tables may appear in the text, but do not apply frames or tints. Copyright of articles published in the Journal rests with the publisher. Abstract Deadline: Abstracts received by April 15, 2005 will be reviewed for consideration of inclusion in the next issue, Volume 2, Issue 3; articles received after that date will be considered based on need or for future issues. Please send abstracts (and subscription inquiries) to: Executive Editors, Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, Center for Global Peace, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016-8123; by email to: Erin McCandless: erin@jpd.org.zw and Mohammed Abu-Nimer: abunimer@american.edu and cc: production@jpd.org.zw and jpd@american.edu . Geoff Harris, editor, "Achieving security in sub-Saharan Africa. Cost effective alternatives to the military", Pretoria, Institute for Security Studies, 2004. Over the past two decades, security has come to mean much more than the traditional concern over borders and territory. Even as a means of achieving territorial security, militaries around the world have proven costly, ineffective and morally dubious. Despite this, sub-Saharan African governments continue to allocate large proportions of their scarce resources to the military. The recent history of warfare suggests that invasions of one country by another have become rare events. While very few countries are in danger of invasion (South Africa is one of the safest countries in the world in that respect), the armed forces of almost all countries are built on this premise. In consequence, the major benefit of the military - as a means to peace through deterrence - is open to question. The ten contributors to the book argue that it is time for governments to adopt a different mindset. They propose eight alternative ways by which a country can provide for its security, each of which is less costly, more effective and more ethical than the traditional military option. Changing mindsets is difficult work. It will take great courage to act on the realities that security is not simply a military responsibility and that there are indeed alternatives to the use of force. The book concludes with a discussion of the practicalities of demilitarisation, including the establishment of national Ministries for Peacebuilding to act as a coordinating institution in each country. Geoff Harris is Professor of Economics in the School of Economics and Finance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (a formal partner of the UPEACE Africa Programme). He also directs the postgraduate Conflict Resolution & Peace Studies programme which currently has over 50 students from 10 African countries. Scholars and others based in Africa can obtain a free copy of the book from harrisg1@ukzn.ac.za. Others can purchase a copy from the Institute for Security Studies www.iss.co.za. "African
Voices on Development and Social Justice: Editorials from Editors: Firoze Manji & Patrick Burnett 2005 is the year of Africa. Trade, debt relief and aid are on the international agenda, so it is imperative that African voices are heard. This timely book provides an African perspective on development and social justice in Africa, something which rarely finds expression in the mainstream Northern media. The book is a collection of the 2004 editorials of Pambazuka News, the authoritative electronic weekly newsletter, published by Fahamu, a formal partner of the UPEACE Africa Programme. This newsletter is a platform for social justice in Africa, providing cutting edge commentary and in-depth analysis on politics and current affairs, development, human rights, gender issues and culture in Africa. The book’s 46 contributors include such distinguished African intellectuals and activists as Demba Moussa Dembele, Mahmood Mamdani, Adebayo Olukoshi, Kewsi Kwaa Prah, Brian Raftopoulos, Pierre Sané and Ernest Wamba dia Wamba. "This is a wide ranging informative compilation of essays which offers the very best advocacy for Africa - by Africans" said Glenys Kinnock, Member of the European Parliament. Africa
Voices on Development and Social Justice
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