Waging peace is the greatest affair of mankind in the 21st century, the basis of life and death, the way to survival or extinction. Hence, it is imperative that it be thoroughly studied. (What Sun Tzu said about waging war is even more true for waging peace.)
IPRA’s 2006 conference gathered aproximately 400 participants from every corner of the globe. The five days of the conference consisted in a balance of plenary sessions (below) and panels (link to conference website listing of the commission panels?) organised by IPRA’s thematic commissions (link to commissions) and working groups (link to working groups). Both highlighted current and emerging issues in peace research and practice. Additionally the Calgary team delighted the participants with special events such as a Pow Wow, special speakers, drama, and a multi-faith peace ceremony.
IPRA is pleased to thank all those responsible for the success of this event: the Calgary team and volunteers, especially Anna Brassard and Andrea Leffler, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC), and the IPRA Foundation, who facilitated the attendance of numerous participants from developing and transition countries, Rachel Trueblood and Ian Harris of IPRAF, the IPRA Council and Commission Convenors, and the many participants who presented their research in the panels.
The Secretariat looks forward to another two years in Belgium and the next conference in 2008. See you there!
Plenary Sessions
Peace Journalism, with Majid Tehranian, director of the Toda Institute, Dov Shinar, director of the Burda Center for Innovative Communications, and Jack Lynch, director of Reporting the World
Security with a Human Face, with Don Hubert, consultant for the Candian Department of Foreign Affairs and Kevin Clements (chair), director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
Sustainable Peace Building Architecture, with Ho-Won Jeong, professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Jayne Docherty, professor at Eastern Mennonite University, Luc Reychler, Secretary General of IPRA, and Chadwick Alger (chair), professor at Ohio State University
Professionalism in Violence Prevention and Peace Building, with Johan Galtung, director of Transcend, and Mari Fitzduff (chair), professor at Brandeis University
Canadian 1st Nations on Peace, with Cree Elder Doreen Spence and Sally Goodstriker, chair of the Aboriginal Health Council
Peace Research: Regional Trends in the 21st Century, with Mary Soledad Perpinan head of APPRA, Susan Nandutu, head of AFPREA, Ursula Oswald Spring, head of CLAIP, Riikka Kuusisto, head of EUPRA, Margaret Groarke, head of PJSA, and Kevin Clements (chair), director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.