Conflict Management workshops on "Humanitarian Assistance, Refugees, & Peacebuilding" receive United States Institute of Peace grant support

 

KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb 6, 2014) — During the Fall 2013 semester, over 175 people attended a three-part public workshop series entitled “Humanitarian Assistance, Refugees, & Peacebuilding” organized by Dr. Sherrill W. Hayes, Director of the Master of Science in Conflict Management, and supported by the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) and Institute for International Education (IIE) Public Education for Peacebuilding Support initiative. These workshops included public events held at three different locations around the Metropolitan Atlanta area that focused on interventions at different stages of conflict and the real human impact of the work of peacebuilders. The workshops combined three key focus areas within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kennesaw State, conflict management, global initiatives, and community engagement.

The topics, dates, and locations included:

  1. Peacekeeping in Humanitarian Emergencies, October 29th, 2013, Kennesaw State University
  2. Security and Relief Work in Complex Situations, December 2, 2013, International Rescue Committee Atlanta Office
  3. Refugee Resettlement and Self Sufficiency, December 17, 2013, Clarkston Community Center

Each 2-hour workshop focused on key actors, roles, responsibilities, and included a range of professional peacebuilders. Panelists included: the German Deputy Consul General; a retired Department of State Chief of Mission who was also a USIP Professional in Residence; the Executive Director of International Rescue Committee in Atlanta; a Paralympian and international advocate for disabled athletes who is now Executive Director of BlazeSports; the Associate Director of Conflict Resolution from the Carter Center; a group of former and current military officers who have served in conflicts from Bosnia through Afghanistan in various roles with NATO, UN Peacekeeping, UNMIL, and coalition forces; and former refugees and asylum seekers from Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Pakistan. An overview of the series can be found here:

This series would not have been possible without the assistance of community partners affiliated with Kennesaw State’s Conflict Management and Peace Studies programs especially: International Rescue Committee, The Clarkston Community Center, BlazeSports America, Georgia Council for International Visitors, German Consulate General Atlanta, The Carter Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Friends Service Committee, and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

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