Thoughts on Violence in Oslo
Head of UPEACE’s Department of International Law and Human Rights, and national of Sweden, Christer Persson reflects on the recent violence in Oslo, Norway, offering his thoughts on politically motivated violence in open and transparent societies and sharing his condolences with the people of Norway.
The urban acadademic legacy of Mahmoud El Zain Hamid or : The solemn Scientific Revolutionary
Sven Schulte reflects on the academic legacy of Dr Mahmoud El Zain Hamid, particularly in light of ontological and epistemological considerations, and Dr Hamid’s establishment of a groundbreaking graduate programme at the University for Peace dedicated to the study of peace and security in urban areas.
The Politics of Rice and Elections in Liberia: A Dangerous Political Seed, a Medium for Corruption and Bullet for the Demise of Governments
This article discusses the implications of the 1979 rice riot on Liberian politics, especially the increased use of rice by politicians to buy the votes of citizens. Locula argues that this practice has led to corruption of the political class and manipulation of the electorate. The author suggests that the government should pursue a policy of domestic rice production to ensure political stability and greater autonomy, and regulate the campaign behavior of political aspirants.
The Palestinian Question
The decision of the Palestinain Authority to seek recognition as a state throught the United Nations system is forcing the international community to reconsider the longstanding issue of Palestinaian statehood, and reveal their alliances. Gustavo J. Fuchs reports.
The Jewish Crisis: Notes from a Jewish Theology of Liberation During the Uprising in Egypt
Professor Marc Ellis discusses the recent unrest in Egypt (and across the Arab world) in light of Jewish history, the creation of Israel, and the Jewish Theology of Liberation.
Unity: A conversation with Lin Que
Rapper Lin Que speaks with Jesaka Saylove about The Girl Movement, breast cancer awareness, healing the world, making it in the music industry, dealing with misogyny in hip-hop and society, and finding your own path.
Costa Rica: utópicas realidades
Un viaje histórico a través de los hitos y logros principales que han contribuido a la construcción de la Cultura de Paz en Costa Rica, cuyo legado es parte del presente de un país afamado internacionalmente como la utopía pacifista centroamericana.
Corruption: ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ Symptom of a Diseased Neoliberal World Order
In critique of the corruption-causes-poverty narrative, Tara Ruttenberg exposes the international community’s misguided attempts to combat poverty and inequality through the unfruitful anti-corruption policy agenda currently championed by leading development agencies.
Community Peace Recovery and Reconciliation in Filipino Indigenous Communities
UPEACE Asia Leaders Fellow, Md. Mizanur Rahman, presents an empirical study on peace and environmental conflict among indigenous communities in the Philippines.
Border dynamics and the conflict in Colombia: A Case Study of Arauca-Apure and Nariño-Esmeraldas
Drawing on four years of field research in two of the most conflict-ridden areas, the Colombian Department of Arauca and the Venezuelan State of Apure and the Colombian Department of Nariño and the Ecuadorian Province of Esmeraldas, this paper identifies conflict dynamics in Colombian border areas and their contributions to Colombia’s internal armed conflict. Major activities of armed groups are analysed, and recommendations are made to increase the presence of civil society in these areas for the greater protection of human rights.