COURSE DESCRIPTION: Peace is a difficult-to-define concept, one that often finds itself framed as the absence of something else: of violence, of conflict, of inequality, or oppression. Yet, increasingly, scholars and policymakers are attempting to develop theories and practices that aim to “build peace” – not just in the absence of war, but in the mould of what Johan Galtung defines as “positive peace,” characterized not only by a lack of physical violence but also by the presence of harmonious relationships, equality, and mutual interdependence. Conflict itself is not the primary problem making modern society less peaceful than it might be; rather, the use of violence of all kinds to engage in many different conflicts stands as the main barrier to higher levels of peacefulness.

This diploma programme provides students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of peace and conflict theories, issues, and practices, and develops the ability to apply theory and case studies to peacebuilding in complex situations. It will explore contemporary methods for peacemaking and peacebuilding as responses to real and potential conflicts around the world.