AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PEACE STUDIES

The American University of Peace Studies through our peace education programs emphasizes highly on the following:

• How do different parties to a conflict (particularly ethnic conflicts) respond to these concepts (justice, reconciliation, and coexistence)?
• What are the major theoretical principles and lessons which can be drawn from different experience in working on reconciliation and coexistence?
• How do varying perceptions of justice contribute to or prevent reconciliation and coexistence?
• How does religion contribute to reconciliation and coexistence processes?

Our training is structured to answer these questions in two parts: 1) the first half of panels explored the theoretical and conceptual aspects of the relationship between reconciliation and coexistence, and 2) the second half of session were devoted to specific case studies relating to different conflict areas, levels, and regions.

Our Lecturers set the tone for discussing the theoretical and conceptual aspects of these questions. Their approach to answering these questions was very methodical as he began by defining justice, peace, and reconciliation. A simple definition for justice is ‘to each party his due.’ lecturers advocate what they term to be a 'democratic concept' which leans towards parity, equity, and equality. Such a concept extends beyond heads of state it is a deeper process which emerges from the people involved in conflict themselves.

Next, lecturers tackle the question of what peace is. Briefly, they describe it as a 'capacity to handle conflicts nonviolently and creatively.' Peace is a lofty goal as it also requires the components of justice: parity, equality, and equity work in unison.

After establishing definitions of peace and justice, preparation to explore the central concepts of the conference: reconciliation and coexistence. Reconciliation emerges after a conflict as the parties involved undergo a process of healing and closure. Coexistence promotes peace when it is 'active coexistence.' That is, coexistence must extend beyond tolerance to building relationships so that conflict resolution is possible. Active coexistence is a useful concept because it promotes respect, dialogue, curiosity, and delight in diversity, and plurality.