Academic Development for Social Conflict Transformation: Linking Theory and Practice to Strengthen Democracy in the Latin American Region

                                                               OAS/DHDEC/CIR.027/2010

1) Venue:   Institute  for Conflict Analysis & Resolution, George   Mason University, 5th   Floor, Truland Building, 3330 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, Virginia   22201, USA.

2)  Coordinators:

·   Wallace Warfield, Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Tel. (703) 993-3649  Fax. (703) 993-1302

·   Janet L. Murdock, Luigi Einaudi Fellow. Tel: (703) 425-5238. E-mail: [email protected]

3)  Modality:   Onsite with one virtual meeting set for May 10^th, 2010, at 12 noon Washington DC time.

4)  Dates of the Course:                May 24th to June 4th, 2010

5)  Duration of the Course:           Two (2) weeks. Arrival: Monday, May 24^th. Departure: Friday, June 4^th, 2010

6)  Language:                                    English and Spanish (with simultaneous translation)

7)  Objectives of the Course:

The 8^th ICAR summer workshop will bringing together academics and practitioners from Latin American and Caribbean countries whose universities plan or have already established teaching and research programs in social conflict resolution and transformation and who wish to develop these programs further in the direction of informed practice as an integral part of their activities.  Academics form the fields of international relations; diplomacy and public administration are welcome to apply. There will be a particular focus on: [1] how academic programs can develop practice oriented learning to helping to manage, mitigate or transform local and national conflicts; [2] learn about methodologies for enhancing participatory forms of democracy and [3] further develop the existing network of Latin American universities and conflict resolution institutions, so that members of the network can continue to support one another in their teaching and research activities.

Participants will learn how create and strengthen academic program that emphasize university-based practice. The participants will have numerous opportunities to share ideas among themselves as well as with other leaders of established academic programs. In this way we hope to build a network of collaborative institutions that can continue to benefit from the exchange of experiences and lessons learned from “best practices.”

Therefore, the objectives of the workshop can be summarized thus: [a] Introduce and discuss ideas about the relationship between academic research programs and field practice in conflict mitigation, resolution and transformation and how these can strengthen democratic governance and improve understanding and implementation of development, health and environmental projects. There will be a special emphasis in the creation of conditions for such initiatives and processes to insure that solutions reached are implemented. [b] exchange experiences and “best practices” between participants with the short term objective to clarify how academic programs can contribute to the resolution of problems, disputes and conflicts in Latin America and the Caribbean: and in the long term, help develop a database of best practices and practical cases. [c] Work on the foundation created in 2007 to build a mutual support network for academic centers in Latin America and the Caribbean to institutionalize academic programs that emphasize practice in conflict resolution throughout the region and the sub-regions of Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean region and the Southern Cone. [d] Discuss the relationship between research, practice and theory that inform interventions from an academic perspective.

8)   Content of the course:   

The workshop will include presentations by faculty from ICAR on theory, research and practice, including model used in the systemic analysis of conflicts; presentations from the participants of conflict interventions and about their own research and conflict transformations programs.

In addition, there will be a number of presentation from professors and practitioners of other program about their own experiences of developing research programs and teaching courses which combine theory, research and practical involvement in real world conflicts. There will be time dedicated to the exchange of opinions for improving practice oriented academic program to which participant belong and and how these can be connected in a mutual help network to help the exchange of ideas, personnel and students, as well as enhance collaboration on research and intervention projects. There will be site visits to Washington DC based conflict resolution organizations like: USIP, Search for Common Ground, Partners for Democratic Change, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), etc.

In summary, the workshop will consist of five activities:

(1)                       Pedagogical session with academic/practitioners from ICAR

(2)                       Presentations by a few participants of the details of their own existing Conflict Resolution case studies to advance the development of new conceptual frameworks and a database of best practices in the resolution of conflict;

(3)                       Presentations by invited guests about other academic and instructional programs and how they have included conflict resolution practices  -locally, regionally and internationally –as an aspect of their academic/practice programs as well as their teaching pedagogy.

(4)                       Round table discussion on what is necessary to create a mutual support network of academic institutions throughout the region and the initial steps to creating the network.

(5)                       Site visits to Washington DC based conflict resolution organizations to learn about other programs that work in the field and how these could benefit from a network of academic-practitioners from the region.

9) Requirements:

·   Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Member state of the OAS (residents must present a copy of their visa).

·   Be physically fit to fulfill the obligations of the course; and able to attend the entire course.

·   Be a conflict resolution practitioner with at least eight years of experience

·   Or, be an academician, with a Bachelor’s education in a relevant social science and humanity fields. A professor with teaching experience in mediation or conflict resolution (facilitation, negotiations, mediation, development work, humanitarian interventions, rule of law or in ombudsman organizations. And/or have published materials related to the resolution or mitigation of conflicts. Interest in the development of conflict resolution programs in university settings.

·   Or, a combination of teaching and practitioner experience with a minimum of four (4) years in and university setting and at least four (4) years of practical experience in field of conflict resolution at the local, regional or international level.

·   Commit to developing a case study of a known conflict intervention presented in the format of a case study that will be provided by the Institute in advance of the course.

·   Commit to attending a virtual meeting of 1.5 hours envisioned for May 10^th at noon, Washington time.

·   Commit to arriving at the workshop location with sufficient time to attend the course inauguration and to compete the course in its entirety.

·   Pay the sum of $100 dollars to cover the cost of materials. It is the responsibility of each candidate to pay all costs related to ground transportation in the United States and food for the duration of the course.

·   A major interest in working collaboratively in developing contacts with other institutions in the field and across national borders

·   Present all appropriate and necessary documentation: Copies of degrees, diplomas, certificates, 2 supporting letters (one regarding pedagogical skills, the other concerning work in conflict mitigation or related field. Have proof of travelers insurance or medical health insurance and accident insurance that is valid internationally

·   It is desirable that participants understand English and Spanish.

·   Submit a duly completed request before the deadline established by the National Liaison Office (ONE) [1]. The candidate is responsible for finding out the deadline set by the ONE in his/her country of residence.

10) SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION CRITERIA: 

Scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria:

a. the merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;

b. the financial need of the candidate; and

c. An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all member states and that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies.

11)   BENEFITS:

The OAS Department of Human Development, Education and Culture will cover the cost of an economy roundtrip ticket between the country of origin

and the host country.   Funds for terminal and in-transit expenses are NOT provided.

ICAR will provide:

·   A limited amount of housing will be provided, where the participants will be hosted by ICAR professors and students who live in the Fairfax / Arlington area.

12)  RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOLARSHIPS RECIPIENTS:

·   The selected candidates must confirm their acceptance to the OAS General Secretariat Office in their respective countries and through the ONE in order for the OAS to proceed with making the necessary travel arrangements to purchase the air travel tickets, economy class, round-trip, between their country of origin or residence and the study location or, if the scholarship is refused, to appoint another candidate.

·   The selected candidates must confirm their acceptance of the scholarship by signing and returning to DHD their completed “form of acceptance of the scholarship award”; only after this has been done will the OAS proceed with the necessary travel arrangements to purchase the air travel tickets, economy class, round-trip, between the scholarship recipient’s country of origin and the study location.

·   Upon selection, candidates must accept the scholarship by confirming   their availability to follow the course during the period indicated and their acceptance of the duly provided conditions of study. 

·   Selected scholarship recipients are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa(s) to enter the country of study and the corresponding transit(s). The OAS will not be responsible for any costs related to obtaining visas or transfer documentation.

·   Each scholarship recipient is responsible for arriving in time for the commencement of activities on the date established by the institution offering the course or program.  

·   If the scholarship recipient fails to travel on the scheduled dates, or change routes, after the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) has purchased his/her travel ticket, he/she will be responsible for paying the difference in ticket costs in order to arrive at the course site in time. The scholarship recipient will furthermore have to reimburse the GS/OAS the total cost of the airfare for his/her travel from his/her country of residence to the site where the Professional Development Course will take place and back if, after the ticket has been purchased, he/she declines the scholarship without written authorization from the Department of Human Development.

·   The latter includes any additional costs, if any, incurred by the GS/OAS, such as extra costs for accommodation during the scholarship recipient’s travel to and from the country where the course will be held.

·   If the fellow declines, cancels or terminates the Scholarship after the course or program has started without providing the GS/OAS with a compelling reason, he or she will have to reimburse GS/OAS the total amount of incurred costs/expenses.

13) PRESENTATION OF CANDIDACIES: 

Please Notice:  If you were awarded an OAS Professional Development Scholarship in the past twelve (12) months or if you currently hold an OAS Scholarship for Academic Studies, you are not eligible to apply for another Professional Development Scholarship.

The online application form must be completed on-line and can be accessed at:  http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/onsite.aspx?culture=en&navid=282  here you’ll find the announcements of all the onsite courses, click in the one you are interested in, go though the end of the page, and then you’ll find the Continue button which will direct you to the online application form.

Once the applicant has completed the online application form and submitted it, a copy will be sent automatically to his/her e-mail account. This completed form must be printed, signed and submitted to the National Liaison Office (ONE).  This is a mandatory requirement. With all other forms (http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/formspd.aspx?culture=en&navid=282) that must be completed electronically or in typewritten format.

The following is the list of National Liaison Organizations (ONEs) in the OAS Member states:  http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/ones.aspx?culture=en&navid=282

Any questions regarding submission of applications for this course should be sent to: [email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS CORRESPONDING TO THE 2010 REGULAR BUDGET