Peace Approach Research Articles

Friedenslogik – Leistungsvermögen, Geltungsanspruch, Anfragen*

The logic of peace approach possesses specific potentials: It distills a few essentials of peace, makes peace more fluid, and defines peace and security in a special manner. Maybe it also provides a base for a deep reflexive but always incomplete theory of peace. The claimed validity can be described as a conditioned universality. Points of criticism can be refuted: The discrimination between peace and security is still necessary. Safety remains an important value, but it should be achieved by the logic of peace instead by the logic of security. Obviously, a powerful and ‘hell-bent’ aggressor is an excessive demand. But this is true for all logics. Instead of giving up the approach, it is better to make contextual adjustments and conduct deeper elaboration.

Contextualizing the Sustaining Peace Approach in Contemporary Armed Conflicts: From High-Level International Mediation to Pragmatic Peacebuilding Initiatives in Syria

Contextualizing the Sustaining Peace Approach in Contemporary Armed Conflicts: From High-Level International Mediation to Pragmatic Peacebuilding Initiatives in Syria

The Good Behavior Game: when the classroom becomes the playground for life skills (Toulon area)

Abstract Children presenting disruptive and antisocial behavior are more at risk of developping health and life complications. The “Good Behavior Game” (GBG) is an American classroom behaviour management program implemented by trained teachers. Its effectiveness in public health has been shown by several scientific studies. The program was recently adapted for France by the GRVS, Nice. During 2017-2018, four schools - 1,400 children- benefitted from the GBG program, conducted in the Toulon area by the CODES 83 under the supervision of the GRVS. During their bi-monthly visits to the 29 teachers in training, coaches collected data reports on the past games, and observed a live GBG session. They discussed then with the teacher to build the best classroom management strategy. Does the GBG help pupils improve their peer relationships? What can the program realistically bring in terms of classroom wellbeing? Those questions are crucial to assess, children’s quick benefits, as well as the development of life skills as protective factors for healthy living. Based on the coaches’ observations and feedbacks with the teachers, preliminary results tend to demonstrate that the GBG help pupils improve their peer relationships, notably by evoking cooperation and inclusive behaviors. Pupils present a more positive state-of-mind whether to give a personal opinion, to share speaking time, learn patience, to make collective decisions, to be aware of one’s need, to peacefully deal with disagreement, to explain instructions to one another, to ask for another point of view. More active and peaceful approaches to conflict resolution have been noticed. The program seems to enhance wellbeing at class including positive peer interactions and self-appreciation. Regarding the experiment in the Toulon area, GBG has a strong potential to develop social and life skills of children. GBG seems to work towards better self-esteem, a key lever for peer-pressure resistance and for making healthy choices. Key messages The “Good Behavior Game” (GBG) creates a positive environment in the classroom, leading children towards positive peer interactions. GBG enhances protective factors against peer-pressure an important determinant of risky behavior.

Significance of Societal Customs in the South Sudan Civil War Resolution

The South Sudan intermittent conflicts and civil wars have attracted national, regional, and international interventions. Dominated by politically led conventional ideologies of peace approaches that revolve around suppression, negotiation, and mediation, such approaches have not achieved sustainable peace in the region. The case for societal customs presented here demonstrates a contrary view. Historically, the Nilotic Lwo ethnic groups of South Sudan, that is, Dinka and Nuer, have fought each other but utilised their customs in conflict resolution. The use of societal customs has prevailed at the grass-roots level in the face of intermittent interethnic conflicts, which feed into civil wars. This article explores the potential of societal customs in delivering sustainable peace even at a civil war level. It highlights a way of exploring further the themes (customary laws and practices) and of thinking about how/why/when these can be useful in meeting local’s interests, values, and perspectives in the civil war resolution.

The Role of Neo-Sufism and the Ritual Phenomenon of Slawatan in Promoting Religious Tolerance

This work focuses on the role of Neo-Sufism practice and the ritual phenomenon of Slawatan in promoting religious tolerance, through the teaching of peace and social solidarity by four religious organizations and their leaders. Slawatan is a common practice in Sufism and Neo-Sufism. Evidence shows that early Sufism promoted interreligious tolerance and harmony, and co-existed with other religions, such as Hinduism, in Indonesia. The study adopts ritual theory and participants’ observation as a methodological framework. This paper argues that, the use of Neo-Sufism practice and the ritual phenomenon of Slawatan promote social solidarity which embodies the significance of religious tolerance in Central Java, Indonesia. The data also indicate that Slawatan and Neo-Sufism also have the potential to assist in the de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of religious extremists, as is evident in the work conducted by Pesantren Nur Hormain. The discussion confirms that Ahbabul Musthofa’s, Al Khidmah’s, Pesantren Nurul Haromain’s and Al Ukhuwwah’s peaceful approach to spiritual practice have promoted: social, political and educational activities among diverse communities, both in Central Java and outside Indonesia.

From power-blind binaries to the intersectionality of peace: connecting feminism and critical peace and conflict studies

ABSTRACTCritical Peace and Conflict Studies scholars have increasingly sought to overcome binary approaches to engage more fully the ways in which peacebuilding missions are designed, implemented and contested. In doing so, scholars have tried to understand ‘the local’ and mobilised three different concepts to do so – hybridity, the everyday and narratives. However, this shift has failed to translate into fully convincing research transcending the old binaries of ‘international’ and ‘local’. The use of the ‘everyday’ sees power everywhere, hybridity approaches fall into the same binary trap scholars want to avoid in the first place, and narrative approaches tend to focus on very personal stories, removing structural power from the equation. We suggest that a fruitful interaction with Feminist approaches and methodologies, and especially the scholarship on intersectionality, can help shed a new light on the power imbalances and inequalities within peacebuilding missions. We highlight the possible contribution of the concept of intersectionality to Critical Peace and Conflict Studies through an intersectionality of peace approach, which allows for a better understanding of multiple and complex identities of researchers and researchees. We illustrate this argument through a discussion of intersectional narratives centred around the space of the ‘guesthouse’ of South Africa.

Reconciliation in the Transformation of Conflict: An Analysis of the South African Experience and Implications for its Application in International Conflict Resolution from a Peace Theoretical Perspective

When violence has ceased it is often assumed that from this very moment peace has been restored. Definitions of peace and war have influenced earlier peace building interventions which in turn constituted the simple act of putting the weapons down as sufficient. Only recently have attempts to incorporate wider angles of facilitating peace and development been utilised. Critical approaches enhancing the perception of peace are put forward by Peace Theory scholars such as Johan Galtung and actual lessons learned serve to counter prevailing criticsm from Realist perspectives on peace. This paper demonstrates a rationale and case for supporting a more promising as well as more realistic view of peace and conflict management offered by peace theoretical considerations and approaches. Transformation of conflicts appears as preliminary requirement for lasting peace in the view of Peace Theory. Upholding this presumption, reconciliation is presented here as an essential process and likewise applicable method for transformation of conflict. The paper examines the advantages of reconciliation against Realist claims about power politics and international relations. After introducing the aim and outline of the paper, a theoretical framework will be established in the second chapter, acknowledging the Christian concept of reconciliation yet evolving towards modern interpretations within socio-political contexts. Scrutinising the applicability of reconciliation for conflict transformation, the third chapter presents reconciliation in practice drawing on the South African expample. Along this case study is highlighted how transitional justice is measured to default standards, what contextual constraints shape structure, mandate and process of applied reconciliation and why success is clearly visible in terms of socio-political reach. The model of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) also serves to elaborate the feasibility of institutionalising reconciliation in conflict transformation on international level. This paper stresses that conditions and design of the TRC resemble the setting of current international conflict transformation processes. Consequently chapter four discusses the specific impediments for applied peace theory in international context before the last chapter concludes the significance of applied reconciliation and non-retributive justice models for international conflict transformation.

The Role of Military Service in the Integration/Segregation of Muslims, Christians and Druze within Israel

This study applies the negative peace/positive peace approach to internal nation-state relations between the majority and ethnic minority. This approach focuses on the policies implemented by the state. In order to understand the social system from its formation, an important focus should be given to the period of establishment of a new state, whereas physical borders are defined along with the borders of society, which determines who is included in the new nation and who is excluded. The conclusions are based on the case of the Israeli Druze, an ethnic minority with whom the state of Israel and its Jewish majority have achieved positive peace. This study suggests that the positive peace with the Druze was achieved following their integration in the army—as a decision of the state of Israel—that lead to their integration in the Israeli society. Conversely to the Israeli Muslims, where a negative peace is maintained, following the early year’s state policy to exclude them.

The Dao of foreign policy: Understanding China’s dual strategy in the South China Sea

ABSTRACTIn the South China Sea, China neither implements power-maximizing policy nor engages a peaceful approach. Instead, China implements both coercion and cooperation in pursuing its strategic interest in the disputed area. How can we explain China’s paradoxical behavior? This article claims that the best way to explain China’s policy in the South China Sea is to understand the character of dualism in China’s strategic culture. Following constructivist theory that stresses culture, this article argues that Chinese duality approach in the South China Sea is rooted in the philosophy of Daoism. The symbol of Yin-Yang depicts Chinese assertive as well as cooperative behavior in dealing with the South China Sea dispute. Although from a normative perspective Daoism recognizes pacifism and non-violent behavior, the most important feature of Daoism is the assumption that reality consists of two opposing elements that are mutually embedded.

Dialogue and Peacebuilding in Colombia: A Dialogic and a Transformative Relationship

This article analyses different initiatives that have emerged from the top-down and everyday bottom-up peace approach after the peace agreement in Colombia and have led to establishing dialogues among different actors to contribute to the peacebuilding process. Three years ago, Colombia signed a peace agreement with the largest guerrilla group in Latin America. After this signature, the big challenge has been the implementation of the deal in the most conflict-affected territories, characterised by poverty, high rates of violence, unemployment, etc. Despite the pitfalls in building positive peace, many communities have started generating spaces by themselves and have created initiatives of peacebuilding through nonviolent actions, the acceptance of differences, active participation and empowerment and the acknowledgement that dialogue is the only way to achieve cooperation and to rebuild another story rather than conflict. This paper seeks to examine the different characteristics that have shaped dialogue-based practices when they are produced with a top-down and a bottom-up approach of peacebuilding. To do this, it is necessary to identify the parties participating in these encounters, their motivations, conditions that have allowed parties to establish a dialogue, and the results. This paper notes that in a post-conflict society, dialogues coming from the top-down will take longer in accomplishing positive peace, rather than the dialogues that have emerged from the bottom up which may be the engine to social mobilisations and the way to capitalise on social skills in achieving justice, truth, and reconciliation.

Recontextualization of Islamic Peace Education

Some circles suggest that the phenomenon of intolerance and religious conflict in Indonesia will be reduced by a religious education model dominated by a mono-religious approach. The approach that focuses on deepening the knowledge of all religions is considered to be the cause of the persistence of interfaith stigma and prejudice. However, there are objections from various circles to the concept and application of interreligious education which requires close dialogue and interaction, an appreciative attitude, and openness to adherents of other religions. This article argues that the development of a peaceful and diverse mono-religious education approach is possible. This study employs Mohammed Abu-Nimer's theory as an alternative model of Islamic peace education that is strategic, participatory and practical; it focuses on his experience in conflict areas and in the Islamic education environment, which is often stigmatized conservatively in the Middle East and Africa. This study confirms that monoreligious education provides room for peace education that builds pedagogy of tolerance, diversity and human rights.

Abu Ykhiel to Guantanamo Bay and beyond: the paper trials of Omar Khadr 2002–2017

ABSTRACTThis research article critically analyses the photographs and illustrations that have been used to support arguments about Omar Khadr. Khadr was a 15-year-old who was captured by the US in Afghanistan, transferred to Guantanamo Bay where he was charged with murder and submitted to US interrogation. Throughout this process both supporters and opponents of Khadr have used pictures to support their claims. By examining and discussing these images it is possible to detect biases and prejudices that attempt to sway and influence the reader to the particular ideology of the writers. The article studies in depth images both for, and against, Khadr. It shows the different, printing and illustrating techniques that add menace to existing photographs, or soften the image for a more peaceful approach. In particular, it subjects the image of Khadr’s damaged body being assisted by soldiers to a critical analysis to reveal what it really shows.

POTENSI KONFLIK PASCA BENCANA

The potential conflict for post-disaster, especially between religious communities, is a fact that cannot be denied. This study portrays the potential between the Islamic and Catholic communities in Ngargomulyo Village after the Mount Merapi disaster. This research uses the framework of motive, incentive and apportunities theories popularized by Neil and Reigharts and the conflict and peace approach that was popularized by Johan Galtung. The results of the study showed that the potential confilict for post-disaster was caused by the unstable mental condition of the community and the unstable economic factors. Thus, it is expected that the role of humanitarian institutions is to provide capacity building programs for the community both through training, strengthening existing institutions in the community (RT, RW, PKK, Karang Taruna, churches, mosques, Islamic Boarding Schools, Community Group Schools /community). Other effects of disasters in the form of indirect conflict can also be mitigated by disaster management that includes aspects of mitigation response, good recovery and rehabilitation and overall distribution of aid, based on the principle of no harm in distributing aid and the principle of impartiality looking at ethnicity, religion, race and color, so that the issue of criticism does not interfere with the response period. In addition, humanitarian agencies and disaster management must consider aspects of local wisdom such as culture, the role of figure and involvement of local resources.

Assessing China’s Practice of Peaceful Development and Peaceful Coexistence: China’s Behaviours towards the South China Sea Dispute

China has long been known for its adherence to cultural and philosophical value in its foreign policy which becomes a guideline to pursue its interest in international relations. However, as China is rising both in economic and military power, it has a challenge with various international issues including territorial disputes with some countries. One of territorial dispute which is vital in China’s national interest is the South China Sea dispute because this area is rich with gas and oil reserves to support China’s industries. Examining China’s policy in the South China Sea is essential as this maritime dispute becomes Beijing’s core interest in recent decades and becomes a source of sovereignty and economic contestation. This study aims to assess whether China is consistent with its foreign policy guideline, peaceful coexistence and peaceful development, in its policy towards the South China Sea dispute. The structure of this paper is as follows. It will begin by briefly explaining the peaceful approach in China’s foreign policy then it will highlight China’s foreign policy in the South China Sea as a study case. Finally, it will examine whether China’s foreign policy contradicts with peaceful coexistence and peaceful development principles in the South China Sea. This study found that the objective of China’s foreign policy guideline is it would never become a threat to others even if it is getting stronger. Meanwhile, China’s behaviors in the South China Sea threaten other states, so there is an inconsistency with peaceful coexistence and peaceful development principles.

Peacebuilding: the Shift towards a Hybrid Peace Approach

This paper examines the transformation within the practice and concept ofcontemporary peacebuilding. Peacebuilding, practically and conceptually, hasbeen dominated by the liberal peace paradigm. In this case, theinstitutionalising of its core ideas such as democratisation, human rights, therule of law, and liberal market system to the post-conflict states and to a socalled ‘fragile/failed states’ aiming at bringing peace and security has failed to create a comprehensive and sustainable peace on the ground as exemplified in Nicaragua, Haiti, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and other post-war states. Scholars focused on the issue of peacebuilding have engaged to a new approach that challenge the domination of the liberal paradigm through the accommodation and appreciation upon the ‘local’ and thus create spaces for the interaction between the liberal and the ‘local’ within forms of ‘hybrid peace’ or ‘hybrid peacebuilding’

Umran İlmi, Çatışma Çözümü ve Barış

It can be stated that one of the most important facts determining today's world is conflict. Of course, it is clear that there is a need for remedial approaches to conflict resolution and peace and new practices by taking advantage of this approaches. At this point, by benefiting from the data of ‘Ilmu'l-Umrân' invented by Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406), who influenced many thinkers, scholars, intellectuals and politicians till today, it may be thought that some new approaches can be brought about conflict resolution and peace in today’s world of conflict. The meanings that Ibn Khaldun puts on such concepts as umran, civilization, conflict, peace, conflict resolution, asabiya, religion, change, property, state can help in this context. In this study, the researcher tries to consider and understand contributions of Science of Umran to conflict resolution and peace approaches presented to science and mankind.

South Sudan conflict from 2013 to 2018: Rethinking the causes, situation and solutions

With the South Sudanese conflict in its fifth year in 2018, this paper seeks to not only examine the status of the civil war that has engulfed the youngest nation on earth but to also discuss the evolving narratives of its causes and provide policy recommendation to actors involved in the peace process. Having examined the continuously failing peace treaties between the warring parties, it is evident that the agreements have failed to unearth and provide solutions to the crisis and a new approach to examining the causes and solutions to the problem is therefore necessary. This paper argues that ethnic animosities and rivalry are a key underlying cause that has transformed political rivalry into a deadly ethnic dispute through vicious mobilisation and rhetoric. Therefore, it recommends a comprehensive peace approach that will address the political aspects of the conflict and propose restructuring South Sudan’s administrative, economic and social spheres in order to curb further manipulation of the ethnic differences. Keywords: South Sudan, civil war, transitional authority, conflict resolution, ethnicity

Update on Conflict and Diplomacy

This update summarizes bilateral, multilateral, regional, and international events affecting the Palestinians and the future of the peace process. It covers the quarter beginning on 16 November 2016 and ending on 15 February 2017. Neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis made any efforts to resume peace negotiations this quarter. The Palestinians opted to coordinate with outgoing U.S. president Barack Obama on UN Security Council resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements, while the Israelis pressed incoming U.S. president Donald Trump for a new regional peace approach. U.S. secretary of state John Kerry presented six principles for a Palestinian-Israeli peace deal, and the French government hosted an international peace conference in Paris. Trump took office in January and began backpedaling on his pledge to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu continued his efforts to marginalize the Palestinian minority and political opponents in Israel in order to placate the fury of his ruling coalition's ultranationalists over the evacuation of Amona, an illegal settlement outpost. Settler movement leaders used their leverage with Netanyahu to pass a sweeping new bill in the Knesset retroactively legalizing such settlement outposts.

Short term interests, long term perspectives: Balancing South Africa's peace and security approach in the EU–SA Strategic Partnership

ABSTRACTSouth Africa’s peace and security outlook in the EU–South Africa Strategic Partnership has been guided by the content and substance of the founding document, which incorporates an interdependent approach to development. For South Africa, engagement in the EU–South Africa Strategic Partnership is framed by its historical background, its identity and the content of its foreign policy. South Africa's foreign policy in particular adopts an integrated approach to securing the state within its surrounding regional and continental geography. This article reviews South Africa's approach to peace and security, in the context of the strategic partnership. The article argues that, overall, South Africa's definition of peace and security is compatible with that of the EU; however, Pretoria's vision of how it provides peace and security has naturally changed in line with the varying international circumstances in which it has found itself. While this has proved difficult at times to reconcile, peace and security collaboration in the strategic partnership has managed to remain intact.

Cultural Confrontations, Women Navigation into Peace Process and the Role Lessons for Africa First Ladies

Prejudiced gendered cultural arrangements have continued to either restrict or exclude contemporary Nigerian women in public space as in most Africa States. This is socially shaped by the dominant patriarchal authority across different Africa societies with Nigeria as no exception. Even with the Nigerian women’s feminist strives, little break through from these cultural arrangements have been meaningfully attained. The changing gender relations experience of women varied across different African contexts, yet in Nigeria, with the emergence of the Nigeria First Lady in 1984 and with successive Nigeria First Ladies, some significant penetration of women through these cultural arrangements was achieved. This was due to several campaigns for and by Nigerian women re-perception of themselves, re-orientation about their feminine personality and their societal gender status in different sectors of Nigeria societies as the economic, politics, education, arts, media-journalism, and technology and science. This increasing presence and participatory role-positions with power have however not extended significantly to formal peace processes. They have been left with little place in informal peace process. For the demanding need to expand the peace process for Nigerian women and Nigeria First Lady inclusion, this article present lessons of women from conflicts contexts such as Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Angola, Northern Ireland, where women were able to break through prejudiced gender cultural institutions and behaviors that had barred the women from peace processes. This was attained through their collective resilience to redefine the peace processes for women inclusion since they realized women were most victims of such violent conflict contexts. Such lessons can be capacity development strength for Nigeria women and other Africa women with which they can adopt manipulative persuasion to penetration prejudiced gendered cultural arrangements for women inclusion in formal peace process in Nigeria and they rest of Africa. With this background, this article is organized and presented in four sections with introduction as the first, successive Nigeria First Ladies: the tension between role idealism and realism as second politics of role struggle for public profile or role collaboration for peace action as third, and the lessons of women in mediation elsewhere for Nigeria and other Africa countries in security and peace approach as the fourth section.