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Organization: Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution
The following information may be cited or quoted as long as the source is accurately mentioned and the words are not taken out of context.
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Postal address of organization/institution

Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi – 110025 INDIA.

E-mail address of organization/institution

centreforpeace@rediffmail.com

Website address of organization/institution

http://www.jmi.ac.in/cpcr/cpcr.htm

Telephone of organization/institution

91-11-26985473

PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity

HUMAN RIGHTS
DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

We participate in activities organized by various departments and centres of our own university i.e. Jamia Millia Islamia; with other universities of India; with other organizations and institutions of India such as Delhi Policy Group, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata; with NGOs within India such as Lawyers Collective; with international NGOs such as International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Amnesty International; with other South Asian and European universities such as Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, Qaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan and Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland, with international organizations like HURIGHTS Osaka; with UN bodies and agencies such as United Nations Working Group on Terrorism, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) etc.

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

Over the past 5 years the Centre has expanded its policy-oriented research, organized interactions with eminent leaders in peacemaking, launched a Sisulu Memorial Lecture series, run short training programs for professionals, developed an internship program for its MA course and launched an Afghan Studies Program.
• Policy-oriented research: The Centre has held closed-door conferences and workshops on Jammu and Kashmir, Communalism, Manipur and Chhattisgarh, bringing together policy-makers, activists and analysts, to find ways in which each of the conflicts can be resolved, transformed or at least mitigated.
• Eminent persons interactions: The Centre has organized interactions with several eminent persons like Kjell Bondevik, former Norwegian Prime Minister, Peter Hain, UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Eleanor Randolph, New York Times, Samia Nkrumah, Member of Parliament, Ghana, Navanethem Pillay, former Judge International Criminal Court (Appeals Division) and presently United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, David Malone, former Canadian High Commissioner to India, Lord John Thomas Alderdice, Member of Parliament & Commissioner, Independent Monitoring Commission, Northern Ireland, Dr. Raymond Sorrel Suttner, University of South Africa & Former Ambassador of South Africa to Sweden.
• Sisulu Memorial Lectures: The lectures have been delivered by eminent peacemakers such as Prof. Richard Falk, UNCHR Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, Asma Jahangir, Co-Chair of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission, and Ahmed M. Kathrada, veteran African National Congress leader.
• Afghan Studies Program: The Program has organized an International Seminar, a Simulation, an Afghanistan-India-Pakistan Student Exchange Programme and an international training programme for young Afghan Professionals.  
• Short Training Courses: The Centre has organized two 3-week Refresher courses in Conflict Studies and three short Orientation Programmes in Peace and Conflict Studies for teachers from different universities and colleges in India. Besides, it held a four-day Orientation Programme in Peace Studies for students from Loreto College, Kolkata.
• Internships: Students of the Centre have held internships in the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, Central Information Commission, New Delhi, Delhi Policy Group, Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, Global India Foundation, Kolkata, Amnesty International, New Delhi, Control Arms Foundation, New Delhi, India Alliance for Child Rights and Global Network of Religions for Children, NGO Pratham, and Aman Biradari, Gujarat.  
• Curriculum Development (Asia Link Project):  The project on Peacemaking and Peace-Building in Europe & South Asia (Human Resource and Curriculum Development) proposes to develop four Course Modules on peacemaking and peace-building in Europe and South Asia. The Course Modules are being prepared through joint curriculum development, faculty exchanges, and “test run” programs for peacemakers and peace-builders on the ground.
The following are the details of the various activities organized by the NMCPCR in the last five years:
2009 -10
• Afghanistan-India-Pakistan Students’ Exchange Program, July 15 – 30, 2009
(Collaboration with Delhi Policy Group)
• Round Table on Public Government Interface with a visiting delegation  of working Journalists and government officials from Afghanistan, 31st July, 2009
• Special Lecture on “Reaching the Victims in the Midst of Conflict: Challenges of the ICRC in Afghanistan”, 7th October, 2009
(Collaboration with ICRC)
• Extension Lecture on “Insurgency, State and Revolution: Maoist Politics and Counter Insurgency Operations Today” by Mr. D. M. (John) Mitra, Addl. DGP Madhya Pradesh, 8th October, 2009
• Ten days training Programme for Young Afghan professionals on “Capacity Development for Peace-Building in Afghanistan”, October 20 – 29, 2009
(Collaboration with Delhi Policy Group)
• Interaction with the students from John Hopkins University, Washington DC, 26th November, 2009
• Extension Lecture on “Involving the Stakeholders: Key to Evolving a Conflict Resolution Strategy in South Asia” by Prof. Navnita C. Behera, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, 7th December, 2009
• Extension Lecture on “Building Sustainable Peace: Canada’s Experience in Afghanistan” by Prof. Derek Gregory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 13th January, 2010
• 3rd International Curriculum Development Workshop on peacemaking and peacebuilding organized under the Asia Link Project, January 24-25, 2010
• Extension Lecture on “Indians and Pakistani Nuclear Postures” by Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Qaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, 25th  January, 2010
• Training Program on “Introduction to Peace Operations”, January 25-29, 2010 (Collaboration with UNITAR)
• Training Program on “Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis”, February 01-05, 2010
(Collaboration with UNITAR)
• Extension Lecture on “Budgets – As if People Matter” by Yamini Mishra, Director, Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability, New Delhi, 4th March, 2010

2008-2009
• Extension Lecture on “Track Two Diplomacy” by Dr. Peter Jones, Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, University of Ottawa, 12th August, 2008
• Extension Lecture on “Economics of Conflict” by Mr. Prakash Singh, Visiting Scholar, IDSA on 18th August, 2008
• International Conference on “A South Asia Peace Review” held at India International Centre during September 30 – October 2, 2008
• Extension Lecture on “Electing Obama” by Ms. Eleanor Randolph, New York Times, USA, 27th November, 2008
• Extension Lecture on “Critical Issues in Food Security”  by Mr. Peter Pringle, Former correspondent The Observer, The Independent and The Sunday Times, U.K., 28th November, 2008
• Screening of Film and Talk by Mr. Jonathen Cohen, Conciliation Resources, UK on “The Georgia – Abkhazia Conflict”, 1st December, 2008
• Extension Lecture on “Talking About Terrorism After Mumbai” by Prof. Nivedita Menon, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 5th December, 2008
• Public Lecture on “Women and Peace Building”, 8th December 2008
(Collaboration with Amnesty International India)
• Seminar on “Conflict Reporting and Media’s Role in Peace Building”, 11th December, 2008
• 3rd Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture on “Winning and Losing in Gaza : Two Wars not One” by Prof. Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, 3rd February, 2009
• International Conference on “International Humanitarianism Today: Issues & Challenges”, March 4, 2009
• International Seminar on “Indigenization of Afghan Reconstruction: Challenges and Opportunities”, March 18-19, 2009
(Collaboration with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata)
2007-2008
• Two-day Conference on  “Reviving the Silk Route”, March 24-25, 2008
• Round Table Discussion with Ms. Asma Jahangir on “Freedom of Religion”,  March 19, 2008 (Collaboration with Dr. K R N Centre for Dalit & Minorities Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia)
• Extension Lecture on  “Liberalism & Minority Rights” by Prof. Gurpreet Mahajan, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, March 13, 2008
• Extension Lecture  on “Strategic Negotiation”  by Prof. Jayne Seminare Docherty, Eastern Mennonite University, Virginia, USA, February 25, 2008
• National Seminar on “Violence, Justice & Reconciliation: Communalism in Our Time”,  February 22, 2008
• 2nd Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture delivered by Ms Asma Jahangir  on “Honouring the Lawyers’ Movement”,  February 21, 2008
• Extension Lecture on “Turkey in the New Geopolitical Maelstrom”  by Mr. Andrew Finkel, Columnist of Today’s Zaman, Istanbul, Turkey, February 6, 2008
• Extension Lecture on “Anti Personnel Landmines – the pre and post Ottawa Process”  by Ms. Jacqueline Edwards, Mine Action Support Officer, Canada, February 5, 2008
• Public Lecture on “Disputing Contraception: Muslim Social Reform, Secular Change and Fertility” by Patricia Jaffery, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Edinburgh, UK, December 3, 2007
• Extension Lecture on “Renouncing War & Proclaiming Peace: Creating an Ecumenical Conversation about Non-Violence”  by Mr. David Pulsipher, Brigham Young University, Idaho, USA, November 28, 2007
• Public Lecture on “The UN Security Council : Boom or Bust” by H.E. Mr. David Malone, Canadian High Commissioner to India, November 23, 2007
• Panel Discussion on “Truth, Memory and Reconciliation”, November 14, 2007
           (Collaboration with Amnesty International)
• Outreach Program, “International Conference on Federalism” on India Gate Lawn, November 3-7, 2007
• Public Lecture on “State Accountability for Crimes Against Humanity & Genocide” by Ms. Navanethem Pillay, International Criminal Court Judge, October 29, 2007
(Collaboration with Lawyers Collective, New Delhi)
• Student Workshop, Simulation: Northern Ireland, Opening Lecture by Ambassador of Ireland to India, September 28-29, 2007
• Refresher Course in Conflict Studies in association with the Academic Staff College, JMI, September 6-26, 2007
• Special Lecture by Lord John Thomas Alderdice, Member of Parliament & Commissioner, Independent Monitoring Commission, Northern Ireland, September 5, 2007
• Screening of documentary film ‘Jashn-e-Azadi’ directed by Sanjay Kak, September 3, 2007
• Orientation Programme Peace & Conflict Studies,  August 31, 2007
(Collaboration with Academic Staff College, Jamia Millia Islamia)
• Screening of documentary film ‘Khayal Darpan’ directed by Mr. Yusuf Saeed, April 19, 2007
• Orientation Program in Peace & Conflict Studies, April 17-18, 2007
(Collaboration with Academic Staff College, Jamia Millia Islamia)
2006-2007
• Regional Conference on ‘Re-making the State: Conflicts and Peace Processes in South Asia’, March 9-10, 2007
• National Seminar on ‘National Environment Policy (NEP-06)’,  February 20-21, 2007
(Collaboration with Department of Economics, Jamia Millia Islamia)
• Orientation Programme on ‘Peace & Conflict Studies’,  February 8-10, 2007
(Collaboration with Academic Staff College, Jamia Millia Islamia)
• Student Workshop, Simulation: The Good Friday / Belfast Agreement, February 6-7, 2007
• First Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture delivered by Mr. A. M. Kathrada, African National Congress Leader and Member of Parliament on “The Life and Times of Walter Sisulu”, February 2, 2007
• Interaction with Mr. Kjell Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway, Interfaith Dialogues, January 24, 2007
• Workshop Chhatisgarh: Development, the Naxalite Movement and Salwa Judum, January 19-20, 2007
• Workshop Curriculum Development, December 8-9, 2006
• Lecture on ‘Recent Crisis in ANC and South Africa’, November 29, 2006
• Speaker: Dr. Raymond Sorrel Suttner, University of South Africa
• International Conference on ‘Pluralism and Democracy after 9/11: Europe & India’, November 27-28, 2006
(Collaboration with Delhi Policy Group)
• Lecture on ‘Confidence Building Measures Between India and Pakistan’, November 23, 2006 Speaker: Brig. Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Pakistan
• Workshop on ‘Manipur: Movements, Conflict & Possible Resolutions’, November 17-18, 2006
• Student Workshop, Simulation: Kashmir Working Group, September 28-29, 2006
• Symposium Kashmir Peace Process, brainstorming with Diaspora and delegates from Pakistani-administered Kashmir, May 24, 2006
(Collaboration with International Centre for Peace Studies)
• South Asia Regional Expert Meeting ‘Human Rights, Freedom of Expression and Terrorism’, April 10-11, 2006
(Contributing to the work of the United Nations Working Group on Terrorism, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva)
(Sponsored by the Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS), Geneva)
• Lecture “The Northern Ireland Political Process”, April 10, 2006
Speaker: Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

2005-2006
• Orientation Programme on ‘Peace Studies’ for students from Loreto College, Kolkata, March 6-10, 2006  
• Interaction with Jefferson Fellows, a delegation comprising of thirteen mid-career print and broadcast journalists from United States and Asia from the East West Centre, Hawaii, February 17, 2006
• Student Workshop, Simulation: The Role of the International Community in Conflict Management / Resolution, February 11-12, 2006
(Collaboration with Delhi Policy Group)
 Interaction with delegates from the International Sufi School, Paris and Research Institute in Human and Social Sciences for the Promotion of Peace, February 2, 2006
 International Conference on ‘Kashmir after the Quake - Prospects for Peace and Reconstruction’, January 16-17, 2006
 South Asia Workshop on ‘Human Rights Education in Schools’, December 13-15, 2005
(Collaboration with HURIGHTS OSAKA)
• Special Lecture Global Environmental Security, December 7, 2005
Speaker: Nitin Desai, Former Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations
• Interaction with delegates from Central European University, Budapest, November 28, 2005.
• Refresher Course Conflict Studies, November 17 to December 7, 2005  
(Collaboration with Academic Staff College, Jamia Millia Islamia)
• Seminar on ‘After the Vienna Vote: India, US and Iran’, October 19, 2005
Lecture on  ‘Human Security’, September 27, 2005
Speaker: Mr. Patrick Hoenig, UN Dialogue with the Global South Fellow, United Nations
• Lecture on ‘India-Pakistan Peace Process’, August 23, 2005
Speaker: Mr. Karamat Ali, Director, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, Pakistan.
• Special Lecture on ‘Islam, Muslims and Contemporary Society’, August 8, 2005
Speaker: Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Chairman, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai

2004-2005
• National Seminar on  ‘Media Perspectives on Human Rights’, March 29-30, 2005
• Panel Discussion on ‘Peace and Conflict in South Asia’, March 16, 2005  
(Collaboration with Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia)

PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

We have certainly seen progress in the area of Education for a Culture of Peace for more and more people are becoming aware of existence of courses on conflict resolution, the number of students applying to these courses is increasing every year and we are also getting more and more queries for helping others set up these kinds of institutions and organize such courses for various groups of professionals and others such as journalists, bureaucrats, school and college/university teachers etc.

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

One criticism that we often have to face while teaching is that concepts like conflict resolution etc. are not Indian but western concepts. Secondly, most of the literature on this comes from the west and still very little is available in terms of Indian/indigenous literature. Thirdly, people generally tend to look at us with suspicion – they either want a quick-fix solution of problems or say that areas like peace and conflict studies is just an utopia; it cannot be actually practiced.

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

We plan to train more and more people in conflict resolution, introduce more advance courses (e.g. M. Phil), do more research in this area and create more awareness about our courses and the need for conflict resolution through workshops, seminars and conferences. We would also like to widen our network and partnerships with other organizations and institutions within as well as outside India so that we are in a position to influence policy-making.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

Duplication of efforts should be checked. Organizations and institutions should focus on one core area and network and coordinate with others who are doing similar kinds of work but not the same work. A lot of resources and efforts get wasted because several organizations do the same kind of work and there is no exchange of information and knowledge between them and there is lack of coordination among them.
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Organization: Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution

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