A Non-violent Path to Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
(Building a World that is Just, Free and Prosperous for All)
Istanbul: The City of Understanding and Reconciliation between East and West
5-9 July 2007 - Istanbul
With Post-Conference optional visits to:
(9-11 July, Konya (the resting place of Rumi) & 11-14 July, Symrna, Aegean District and Bursa (the first Capital of Ottoman State)
Convenors:
Dr. Kamran Mofid, Founder-Convenor
Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative
www.commongood.info
&
Dr. Gokhan Bacik,
Department of International Relations
Fatih University, Istanbul
http://www.fatih.edu.tr/
With Support of
Cemal Usak, Secretary General
Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Istanbul
http://www.cul-dialogue.org/?url=/home
Conference Board of Advisors
Prof. Dr. Alparslan Açýkgenç, Fatih University, Turkey
Assoc. Prof. Bulent Aras, Isýk University, Turkey
Rev. Prof. J. Baitu, Director, Centre for Social Justice and Ethics, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr. Josef Boehle, Research Fellow in Globalisation, Religion and Politics, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, U.K
Alfred Bonner, Journalist, New York, USA
Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke, President, World Congress of Faiths, Oxford, UK
Prof. Dr. Ömer Çaha, Fatih University, Turkey
Prof. David Coleman, Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts, Chaminade University, Honolulu, USA.
Baqer Talebi Darabi, Centre for Religious Studies, Qum, and Advisor, Institute for Interreligious Dialogue, Tehran, Iran
Prof. Dietrich Fischer, Academic Director, European University for Peace Studies (EPU), Austria
Dr. Mitra Forouhar, International Lawyer and faculty member, European University for Peace Studies (EPU), Austria
Prof. Linda Groff, Political science& future studies, California State University, and Director, Global Option Consulting, USA
Prof. Dr. Kenan Gürsoy, Galatasaray University, Turkey
Dr. Gabriele Frohlich, Founder, Global Development, Germany
Dr. Farhang Jahanpour, PT tutor, Kellogg College, Oxford, and former Editor, Near East and North Africa, BBC Monitoring, UK
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ýpþirli, Fatih University, Turkey
Prof. Yahya Kamalipour, Head, Department of Communication and Creative Arts, Purdue University Calumet, and Managing Editor, Global Media Journal, USA
Prof. Dr. Lütfullah Karaman, Fatih University, Turkey
Prof. Dr. Bekir Karlýða, Marmara University, Turkey
Jim Kenney, Executive Director, Interreligious Engagement Project, USA, and former International Director, Parliament of the World Religions (CPWR)
Dr. Audrey Kitagawa, Advisor to the World Federation of United Nations Association, USA
Rev. Prof. John Maviiri, Rector and Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Prof.Fr. Peter Milward SJ, Emeritus Professor and Director, Renaissance Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, International Movement for a Just World, Malaysia
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Öktem, Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey
Rev. Dr. Ruwan Palapathwala, Melbourne College of Divinity& the Centre for Social Inquiry, Religion and Interfaith Dialogue, Australia
James B. Quilligan, Director, Centre for Global Negotiations, Brandt 21 Forum, USA
Rev. Dr. Alan Race, Editor-in-Chief, Interreligious Insight, UK/USA
Dr. Þammas Salur, Fatih University, Turkey
Prof. Stephen M. Sachs, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Indiana University, and Editor/Chair, Non-violent Change Journal, USA
Jehangir Sarosh, President (Europe Region), World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), UK
Prof. Dr. Vildan Serin, Fatih University, Turkey
Dr. Keyvan Tabari, Attorney-at-Law, USA
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Psychiatrist, Turkey
Fedayi Uzun, Educational Expert, Kano, Nigeria
Prof. Lawrence Woods, Department of International Studies, American University of Sharjah, UAE
Introduction & Overview
Conflict resolution in international affairs is currently undergoing enormous pressures, due in part to the challenges of globalisation and its many cultural, religious and economic contexts. To address this crisis, which has sadly been described as a "Clash of Civilisations", we propose a dialogue among civilisations: an inter-active international symposium to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of a global culture of prevention and non-violent conflict resolution, mediation and
negotiation.
Today's world of globalisation is marked by immense wealth and acute poverty. Moreover, total concentration on wealth creation and economic growth - without our knowing how or why - has led to an erosion of moral and spiritual values. It has also resulted in a destructive decline in the institutions that have traditionally promoted and protected these essential human values: the family, religious institutions and community structures. There is a growing a poverty of values such as love, compassion, justice, morality, solidarity, spirituality and faith, alongside an increase of materialism and consumerism in many parts of the world.
And when social justice and human rights are routinely denied for the seemingly invisible amongst us, peace remains only a dream.
We believe there is an alternative, based on the moral and spiritual values shared by all the world religions. The mystic tradition in every faith affirms that all of life is sacred. The most powerful way for faith-based and spiritual communities to influence beliefs, norms and institutions is through a prophetic voice and public action. Highly visible faith and interfaith affirmation of the great spiritual truths of peace, justice and the sacredness of the Earth and human life can make a
tremendous contribution to the non-violent path of conflict resolution and the creation of a world that is just, free and prosperous. Action and service by spiritual and faith communities and groups can provide a vital source of inspiration and energy for the healing of the world.
Call for Papers
Papers, pre-organised panels, and roundtable submissions are invited from observers, commentators, academics, post-graduate students and NGOs to address issues related to globalisation and non-violent conflict resolution within the identified theme of the conference. Individuals may propose linked panels, panels or papers.
We specifically welcome papers from economists, businesspersons, philosophers, theologians, historians, political scientists with an interest in international relations, political theory or political economy, sociologists, psychologists, medical professionals, peace researchers, conflict resolution specialists, lawyers, environmentalists and geographers, as well as those engaged in inter-faith in action projects.
We encourage presentations from all disciplines and perspectives, focusing on, but not limited to: globalisation; religions & globalisation; non-violence & peace building; ethnic conflict resolution; the changing nature of warfare; peace & conflict in a post-9/11 world; women, childern, conflict & peace; religion, conflict & peace-building; the role of media in war-making & peacekeeping; the economics of war & peace; international law, cross-cultural & inter-faith dialogue; the role of
education in peace-making; the path to becoming a peace-maker; forgiveness, reconciliation & conflict resolution; pandemic disease, aids, global warming, environmental degradation & violent conflict; the role of human rights & democracy in cultivating peace, dialogue, dispute resolution; social change & non-violence; sustainable development, ecological balance, community revitalization, reflective practice, intercultural relations, grassroots movements & organisational transformation; poverty reduction, peace, justice & conflict resolution; the creation of a culture of peace through tourism; faith & economic life; spiritual business, capital & peace making; selfishness, greed, materialism & violent conflict; moral economy, fairness, compassion, responsibility & conflict resolution; youth leadership, conflict resolution & peace-making.
You are invited to submit a one-page abstract of your paper, which should include a working title, the author's discipline and field, address, institutional affiliation and email address.* Please send your abstract by March 15, 2007 to Dr. Kamran Mofid and Dr. Gokhan Bacik: K.mofid@btopenworld.com and gbacik@fatih.edu.tr
A dedicated conference website is under construction. It will include various details about the symposium, including academic panels, workshops and seminars, as well as information about social/cultural/sightseeing tours and the cost of attending the conference. Please note that travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the attendee, and the Conference Organisers unfortunately are not able to offer financial support. However, the overall costs will be highly subsidised, enabling many to attend. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you might have.
With warmest regards and best wishes,
Kamran Mofid and Gokhan Bacik
* Note: the Conference Committee reserves the right to refuse permission to participate without explanation.
[sursa e-NASS]
