Regionalism and Reconciliation: A Comparison of the French-German and Chinese-Japanese Model
Dr. Gao Lan, Director of Northeast Asian Studies Centre at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, examines the prospects for, and possible pathways to, reconciliation between China and Japan and for the creation of an East Asian Community via a comparison with Germany and France’s post-WWII reconciliation and the development of the European Union. Lan identifies cultural, economic, and historical similarities and differences between China-Japan relations and the successful Germany-France model, illuminating factors that may ultimately facilitate and/or impede reconciliation and regional integration.
Reflections on Track II Peace building: case of Bakassi Peninsula in Cameroon
George Ngwane reviews the context and outcomes of the AFRICAphonie Citizen Peace Building capacity project in the disputed Bakassi Peninsula in Cameroon. This project followed a Track II approach, building networks of individuals to complement official diplomatic efforts. This report discusses the background of the project, outlines several ongoing challenges to peace in the region, and points the way forward by touching on some of the most important lessons learned in the process.
Realizing the Relevance and Power of Liberian Women: An Epiphany on the Road to Peace (1999-2005)
Horace P. Nagbe reflects on his gendered identity constructed while growing up in Liberia. He then gives an historical account of the country´s violent past which gave rise to a change in his superior male perception: the efforts of the Women in Peacebuilding Network. This group of women recognized the urgent need to bring peace to Liberia and while being suppressed and violated by the government who ignored the citizen´s call for peace, these women came together to pressure the government towards peaceful change. This group inspired the movie Pray the Devil Back to Hell and played a significant role in establishing democratic elections in Liberia.
Small is Beautiful and Dedicated to Peace
Tex Albert reports on the SIPAI, Small Island Peace Action Initiative.
The Prospects for Peace and Security in the 21st Century
“Those of my generation who have been struggling in the international system for two or three decades cannot claim to have achieved a world to the measure of our hopes. I fear that, in spite of the undoubted progress made, we will leave to our successors a difficult and dangerous world which still suffers from abiding poverty for millions, injustice and threats to peace. You will have to face, directly or indirectly, the challenges and problems which we will leave in your care…”
The International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace Author: David Krieger Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 09/21/2010 THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE On this day, like any other, soldiers are killing and dying, arms merchants are selling their wares, missiles are aimed at your heart, and peace is a distant dream. Not […]
Training Cameroon’s Educators to be Peacemakers
Key words: peacebuilding skills, peace education, Cameroon school system, conflict resolution, conflict management, mututal understanding and tolerance, pedagogy.
Corporative Governance: United Nations Peace Mission for Congo (MONUC) and the Forces Armée de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC)
Mukenge assesses the corporative governance relationship between UN peacekeeping forces and the DRC’s national armed forces, providing an analysis of challenges, successes and failures, pointing to the corruption and inherent inefficiences of UN peacekeeping operations.
Gaddafi, Sodomy, and Liberal Peace
Dr Fontan discusses the graphic and disturbing video of Libyan rebels sodomizing and beating Muammar Gaddafi during his capture, released by GlobalPost, in reference to the doctrine of responsibility to protect (R2P), as well as democratization, humiliation, and the liberal peace paradigm.
Peacejacking: Peace Literacy and the Co-optation of Peace Concepts
Oliver Rizzi Carlson comments on the (ab)use of peace language to describe the reported capture and killing of Osama bin Laden. Far from an isolated case, Rizzi suggests that we call this form of dialectal manipulation “peacejacking”.