| REGIONAL
WORKSOP ON
TEACHING
AND RESEARCH METHODS IN
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
AT
THE ARTS AUDITORIUM
FACULTY OF ARTS
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI
OCTOBER 9, 2004
AT
THE COMPUTER LAB/
CONFERENCE ROOM
DEPARTMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI
ON OCTOBER 10, 2004
ORGANIZED
BY THE PGORAM ON PEACE STUDIES
AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION, DEPARTMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS,
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI IN COLLABORATION
WITH HIGHER EDUTATION COMMISSION,
ISLAMABAD
BACKGROUND
The study of conflict and conflict resolution is as old as the history
of mankind. What differentiates between the old and new models of
conflict and conflict resolution is a marked degree of professional
approach used to deal with conflicts which have a potential to cause
colossal human and material damage. With the emergence of new states
after the end of the Second World War, the demise of the Soviet
bloc, the end of cold war at the superpower level, the rise of religious
extremism and terrorism and the events taking place after September
11, 2001 led to the unleashing of new conflicts in different parts
of the world. The paradigms of conflict and conflict resolution
resulted in their transformation from inter to intra-state conflicts.
The need to study the dynamics of conflicts, at the society, state,
regional and international level is being felt particularly in those
countries where conflicts occur because of lack of understanding
of factors which cause clash of interests, tension, crisis, violence
and instability. It is strange that enormous research has been done
about the origins of conflict and the methods of prevention, management
and resolution in the developed part of the world but marginal initiative
has been taken both at the state and society level in developing
countries to study why conflicts occur and how these could be prevented,
managed and resolved. The lack of meaningful research about conflicts
in areas which provide a fertile ground for the emergence and proliferation
of conflicts is paradoxical in nature. As a result, one can see
a huge asymmetry in the work on conflict and conflict resolution
which has been done in the developed world and in developing countries.
The Second World War saw the last phase of armed and violent conflicts
in the Western World whereas the cold war between the Communist
and Capitalist blocs witnessed massive arms race, both conventional
and nuclear but it didn’t result in the outbreak of hostilities
in Europe. Since the end of the cold war one can see reduction of
inter state conflicts, the rise of intra-state conflicts and the
increasing role of non-state actors in the promotion and accentuation
of conflicts. The outbreak of conflicts in former Yugoslavia, particularly
in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the end of the cold war raised several
questions about the nature of peace and stability in Europe. Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Kosovo located in the heart of Europe witnessed unprecedented
level of violence, ethnic cleansing and genocide. It was only fifty
years ago that Europe had experienced massive killings and genocide
but no lessons were learned from such unfortunate happenings and
such things were more or less repeated in former Yugoslavia. Whereas,
non-traditional areas of conflict emerged particularly in the developing
countries on the issues of the water, energy, gender, refugees,
ethnicity and environment. In these areas of conflict, the issue
of human survival is at stake because lives of millions of people
live under the shadow of conflicts which have a potential to cause
immense destruction.
Pakistan, like many developing countries of the world, is exposed
to both intra-state and inter-state conflicts. While the inter-state
conflict is primarily related to Indo-Pak discord over Kashmir,
intra-state conflicts cover ethnicity, sectarian, water, environment
and issues of economic inequality. The question is why enough research
and study has not been done to understand the dynamics of conflict
in Pakistani society and how one can suggest an alternative but
a viable approach to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts which
cause violence, insecurity and instability in Pakistan. If a serious
attempt is made in the universities and research institutes/center
of Pakistan to analytically examine the origins, nature and dynamics
of conflicts and strategies for their practicable solution, much
can be done to reduce instability, chaos and violence in Pakistani
society.
Paradoxically, the bulk of conflicts take place in the developing
world, but the research on the study of these conflicts is being
done in Western countries. This dichotomy means a general indifference
and apathy is prevailing in those areas where one finds conflicts
in abundance but there is not much initiative at the indigenous
level to study these conflicts and find practicable solutions. If
one look through the literature on conflict prevention, management
and resolution published and the details of centers and institutes
doing research on these themes, it becomes clear that the Western
world has a clear edge as compared to the non-Western world.
A survey made to examine teaching and research activities in different
academic institutions of Pakistan provide shocking results. There
is no separate Department or full-fledged center on studying the
themes of conflict prevention, management and resolution. In some
of the Universities of Pakistan, the courses on conflict management
and resolution are taught under the Departments of International
Relations or Strategic Studies. Research work on conflict prevention,
management and resolution at the inter and intra-state level also
lacks an institutional framework. As a result, the availability
of indigenous expertise and literature on conflict resolution is
quite limited. Although some efforts were made in past ten years
to fill the huge gap in the field of conflict resolution but still
much is required to be done in this regard.
The Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (PPSCR) Department
of International Relations, University of Karachi has undertaken
several research projects since its inception in April 2000. Details
of its activities could be seen at the program’s website:
www.ppscr.org
PPSCR has embarked on the task to organize a two-day workshop on
Teaching and Research Methods in Conflict Resolution in order to
initiate proper debate and discussion on the themes of conflict
prevention, management and resolution in the context of Pakistan
in particular and South Asia in general. It is the first workshop
of its kind to be held in a Pakistani academic institution and it
is hoped that the discussion held in the workshop will go a long
way in creating proper awareness among students and those interested
in the field of conflict resolution.
MISSION
STATEMENT
To provide proper training to the students of B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
and M.A (Previous) and other interested participants on different
concepts, approaches and theories of conflict prevention, management
and resolution and enable them to seek a better understanding of
conflicts and their resolution in Pakistan and South Asia.
THEMES
Following themes will be covered in a two-day workshop:-
• The concepts, approaches and theories of conflict resolution
and their relevance for Pakistan and South Asia.
• Why there is lack of substantial interest on conducting
investigative studies on conflict and conflict resolution in Pakistan?
• How to introduce and strengthen teaching and research methods
on conflict and conflict resolution in Pakistani Universities and
Research Think Tanks?
• Gaps in the theory and practice of conflict resolution.
• Hot and soft conflicts: their prevention, management and
resolution.
• Gaps in state and society approaches of conflict and conflict
resolution.
• The relevance and applicability of conflict prevention,
management and resolution in Pakistani society.
• The dynamics of inter and intra-state conflicts in Pakistan.
• Lessons from teaching, research and studies on conflict
and conflict resolution done in the Western World for the Developing
World.
• The relevance and significance of simulation exercise to
understand and resolve conflicts.
WORKSHOP
RESULTS
Since the two-day workshop on teaching/research methods will be
the first initiative, one can expect following results from that
exercise:-
1. Exposure and training for the participants of the workshop from
the presentations and discussions made and literature distributed.
2. Deliberations of the workshop will be uploaded at the website
of Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (PPSCR) at:
www.ppscr.org
3. Dissemination of the deliberations of workshop at national, regional
and international think tanks on peace and security studies, conflict
management and resolution.
4. Proceedings of the workshop will be published in the form of
a book.
DR. MOONIS AHMAR
PROFESSOR &
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
SEPTEMBER 26, 2004
PROGRAM
TWO-DAY
REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON
TEACHING AND RESEARCH METHODS IN CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
October 09, 2004
Inaugural
Session
9.30-10.15
Recitation from the Holy Quran
Address by Dr. Mutahir Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Department of
International Relations, University of Karachi and Coordinator,
Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Address by Prof. Dr. Moonis Ahmar, Department of International Relations,
University of Karachi and Director, Program on Peace Studies and
Conflict Resolution
Address by Prof. Dr. Khalida Ghous, Chairperson, Department of International
Relations, University of Karachi
Address by Prof. Dr. M. Shamsuddin, Dean Faculty of Arts, University
of Karachi
Session
One
Theme: Conceptual framework
10.15-11.30
Chair: Ambassador (Retd) Shahid Amin
Key note address by Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe, Chairman, Foundation for
Co-
existence, Colombo, Sri Lanka
10.15-10.45
Dr. Moonis Ahmar
10.45-11.00
Discussion
11.00-11.30
Tea
11.30-11.45
Session
Two-1
11.45-1.45
Theme: Teaching and Research methods in conflict resolution
Chair: Prof. Dr. Amena Mohsin, Chairperson, Department of International
Relations, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
1. Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe.
2. Ms. Saira Basim, Lecturer, Department of Defense & Strategic
Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
Lunch:
1.45-2.45
Session Two -II
Theme: Teaching and Research methods in conflict resolution
2.45-5.00
Chair: Prof. Dr. Arifa Farid, Department of Philosophy, University
of Karachi
3. Ms. Asma Pervaiz, Researcher, Defense Journal, Karachi
4. Mr. Sarfaraz Korejo, Lecturer, Department of International Relations,
Shah Latif
University, Khairpur
5. Cyber space and conflict resolution. A student’s presentation
Tea: 5.00 p.m.
October
10
Session One
9.30-11.30
Theme: The dynamics of conflict and conflict resolution in South
Asia
Chair: Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe
1. Prof. Dr. Mehtab Ali Shah
2. Dr. Shaista Tabassum, Assistant Professor, Department of International
Relations,
University of Karachi
3. Ms. Salma Malik, Lecturer, Department of Defense & Strategic
Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
Tea
11.30-11.45
Session
Two
11.45.1.30
Theme: Alternative approaches for conflict resolution in South Asia
Chair: Prof. Dr. Mehtab Ali Shah
1. Prof. Amena Mohsin
2. Dr. Sheikh Mutahir Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Department of
International Relations, University of Karachi.
Lunch
1.30-2.30
Session
Three
2.30-5.00
Simulation exercise on the Indo-Pak composite dialogue
Concluding
Session
5.00-6.00
Summary of Recommendations
LIST
OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
Moonis
Ahmar
Professor and Program Director
Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
amoonis@hotmail.com; moonisahmar@hotmail.com
Mutahir
Ahmad
Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator
Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
Mutahir1@hotmail.com
Sultan
Abbas
M.A (Final)
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi and Research Assistant
Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
sahunzai@yahoo.com
Shahid
Amin
Ambassador Retired
27, Khayaban-e-Amir Khusro
Phase-6
Defense Housing Authority
Karachi
Zaheer
Ansari
M.A (Previous)
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
zaccmacuk@yahoo.com
Faisal
Awan
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
taaib@hotmail.com
Saadia
Ashraf
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
me_leotheleader@hotmail.com
Sumera
Abbas
B. A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
sumairaabbas@hotmail.com
Saira
Basim
Lecturer
Department of International Relations
Department of Defense & Strategic Studies
Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
sbasim@isd.wol.net.pk;
Syeda
Beena Batool
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
cityreporter@hotmail.com
Rahimullah
Beg
M.A (Previous)
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
sheldonstone313@hotmail.com
Javeria
Mohd. Din
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
awesome-id@hotmail.com
Ambnreen
Emad
M. A (Previous)
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
ambreen_emad@yahoo.com
Sadaf
Fatima
B. A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
sadafbhojani@hotmail.com
Arifa
Farid
Professor
Department of Philosophy
University of Karachi
Khusboo
Khan Farid
B.A. (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
khusbooghori@yahoo.com
Khalida
Ghous
Professor & Chairperson
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
Mohd.
Haroon
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
haroon-saee@hotmail.com
Mohd.
Shakeel Hyder
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
mshsahar@yahoo.com
Nida
Sehar Hussain
B.A. (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
Zubia
Ikram
Research Assistant
Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Dua586@hotmail.com
Amna
Kaleem
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
University of Karachi
am_kal@hotmail.com
Asma
Pervaiz Khan
Researcher
Defense Journal
Karachi
asma_parvaiz@hotmail.com
Saima
Khursheed
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
virgo_yosis@yahoo.com
Sarfaraz
Korejo
Lecturer
Department of International Relations
Shah Latif University
Khairpur
Salma
Malik
Lecturer
Department of Defense & Strategic Studies
Quaid-e-Azam University
Islamabad
salmamalik@excite.com
Amena
Mohsin
Professor & Chairperson
Department of International Relations
University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000
Bangladesh
calter@bangla.net
Kumar
Rupasingha
Chairman, Foundation for Co-
existence, Colombo, Sri Lanka
krupesinghe@fcoex.com; krupesinghe@hotmail.com
Umera
Samreen
B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
miloerry@hotmail.com
Mehtab
Ali Shah
Professor
Department of International Relations
University of Sindh
Jamshoro
mehtab110@hotmail.com
Mohd.
Shamsuddin
Dean Faculty of Arts
And Professor
Department of Mass Communications
University of Karachi
Shaista
Tabassum
Assistant Professor
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
shaista@rocketmail.com
Erum
Zaidi
Research Assistant
Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Department of International Relations
University of Karachi
zaidierum@hotmail.com
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