Upcoming Events of Interest

Please consider submitting a workshop proposal for the 2nd International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education, Youth and Conflict: Global Challenges - Local Strategies, March 28th – March 29th, 2008, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The call for proposals is attached. More information on the event is available on the Web site at: www.tri-c.edu/community/girc.htm.

The root causes of conflict and the methods to prevent and intervene in conflict situations are interdisciplinary. So too is the need to address them collaboratively in both global and local communities. From child soldiers in Africa and the Americas to gangs in North America, collaboration is necessary to resolve these challenges with cultural and contextual sensitivity. Global Issues Resource Center and Library, Office of Community Continuing Education, at Cuyahoga Community College and the European Centre on Conflict Prevention (international secretariat for the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict) are partnering with colleges and universities, and local, national, and international non-governmental and governmental organizations to host an International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. This Summit builds upon the Inter-American Summit on Conflict Resolution Education organized in March 2007 which brought together government representatives from among the 50 states and 34 countries of the Americas and their non-governmental organization partners who have legislation or policies in place to deliver conflict resolution education at the K-12 level and in colleges of teacher education. Last year there were 400 attendees from 24 states and 13 countries. The main co-sponsors were The Organization of American States and the United Nations Development Program. Last year's Summit information and publications can be found at: www.CREducation.org

The second Summit is an opportunity for colleges and universities, non-governmental organizations, and governmental organizations to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and research on issues of violence and conflict confronting our youth. Presentations will focus on conflict management and peace education strategies for youth and methods that reduce the societal violence that surrounds youth. Participants will exchange program best practices, evaluation methodology, creation of policy implementation structures, and consideration of obstacles to success. Conference participants will be drawn from the local, state, national, and international community. College students and faculty are encouraged to attend and present their findings.

Presenters will share examples of best practices in their state and/or nation of conflict resolution education, community implementation models, policy dissemination, and evaluation results. This event is open nationally and internationally for anyone who wishes to attend.