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PEACE STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BASEL, SWITZERLAND


"Peace is not everything, but without peace, everything is nothing."
-- Willy Brandt

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead

The World Peace Academy (WPA), in cooperation with the Advanced Study
Center at the University of Basel, offers a 9-month full time Master
of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Peace and Conflict Transformation every
year from March-November. Students can begin the program either in
March, June or September each year. It is also possible to obtain an
Advanced Certificate for 12 weeks of courses, or to take individual
1-week courses. The program is accredited by the University of Basel,
which issues the MAS diplomas. All courses are taught in English by
leading specialists in their field from around the world, including
Johan Galtung, founder of the academic discipline of peace studies.

Imagine studying psychoanalysis with Sigmund Freud, relativity theory
with Albert Einstein, economics with Adam Smith, celestial mechanics
with Isaac Newton, geometry with Euclid, medicine with Hippocrates--
or peace studies with Johan Galtung.

The WPA program is designed to provide students with the intellectual
competence to analyze conflicts and their underlying causes and
practical skills in reconciliation, conflict transformation and
peacebuilding. The curriculum covers all aspects of peace--not only
military, but also political, economic and cultural. It combines
theory with practice. Its faculty includes some of the best teachers
from around the world from a wide variety of disciplines. Students
come from around the world, including many conflict regions.

Studying abroad can bring about a fundamental change, not only in the
life and future career of the students, but sometimes even in their
whole society. For example, in 1958, Alexander Yakovlev was one of
the first Soviet recipients of a Fulbright scholarship to study a
year in the United States. In 1985, he became Gorbachev's key adviser
on perestroika, glasnost and democratization, and thus helped end the
communist dictatorships, not only in the Soviet Union, but also in
the former Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe. That scholarship
probably contributed more to ending the Cold War than billions that
the United States spent for weapons, which only aggravated tensions.

CURRICULUM: The program consists of 10 modules: Introduction to the
Scientific Methodology of Peace Studies; Conflict Transformation and
Peacebuilding; Regional Conflicts and Peace Initiatives; International
Relations and International Law; From National to Human Security;
Peace Education and Ethics; Human Rights, Gender and Democratization;
Sustainable Development and Its Contributions to Peace; Peace Culture,
Religions and the Media; and Development of Key Competencies for Peace
Workers. This last module, which meets for 2 days every month
throughout the program, is a special feature not yet offered
elsewhere. It emphasizes the development of such personal competencies
as responsibility, empathy, creativity, commitment, and inner peace.

The program includes lectures, seminars, exercises, group activities,
excursions, self-study, library research and writing papers. For a
course calendar, course descriptions and biographical notes about our
faculty members, see http://www.world-peace-academy.ch/

LOCATION: The University of Basel, founded in 1460, is Switzerland's
oldest university. It has about 11'000 students and over 300 faculty
members. The university library has over 3 million books and is one
of the largest in Switzerland. Basel has 170'000 inhabitants, a lively
culture, and is located where Switzerland, Germany and France meet.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: The program is addressed to students from any
discipline interested in peace and conflict resolution, including NGO
members, diplomats, government officials, international civil
servants, teachers, journalists, social workers, lawyers, officers,
psychologists, artists. A first university degree (bachelor's or
equivalent) is required, or comparable professional experience.

DEGREES: Students who complete the full program of 9 months of courses
and write a thesis obtain a Master of Advanced Studies in Peace and
Conflict Transformation issued by the University of Basel, worth 70
credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One
ECTS corresponds to about 30 hours of study (in class and self-study).
An MAS differs from a Master of Arts (MA) program, which typically
lasts two years, requires 120 ECTS. Most universities accept both an
MA or an MAS as a basis for continuing with a Ph.D. program. It is
also possible to study part time over 2-3 years. Those who complete
12 weeks of selected courses obtain an Advanced Certificate in Peace
and Conflict Transformation from the World Peace Academy. It is also
possible to take individual courses, lasting one week each.

COSTS: 15'000 Swiss Francs (currently about 12'000 Euro or 17'000 US
dollars) tuition for 9 months of study, including thesis advisement.
For part-time students, costs are 250 Swiss Francs per ECTS. Rooms
cost about 500 Swiss Francs per month. Meals, health insurance and
travel costs are extra.

All available scholarships for 2012 have already been assigned, but
a few places for self-payers are left for the term beginning 5 March.

WHEN TO APPLY: WPA has a rolling admission policy. You can apply at
any time before the beginning of a trimester (March, June, September)
and if you qualify and space is left, you will be admitted. Those who
need a Swiss visa are advised to apply at least 9 weeks in advance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY, see http://www.world-peace-academy.ch/, or
write to a href="mailto:info@world-peace-academy.ch%22%3Einfo@world-peace-academy.ch>, or call me at +41-61-556-2369.
We will be happy to answer your questions and help you. You can apply
online and submit supporting documents as scanned attachments.

Prof. Dr. Dietrich Fischer
Academic Director, World Peace Academy
Güterstrasse 81, CH-4053 Basel, Switzerland
dietrich.fischer@gmail.com, http://www.world-peace-academy.ch/
(On 1 February 2012, we will move to Güterstrasse 187.)

Peace Revolution Fellowship for Young People

Global Peace on the Move VIII

18 June-1 July 2012

Thailand

Countless conferences on peace have been held.  Endless peace treaties have been signed. Numerous peace prizes have been awarded.   Yet the world seems to be farther from peace than ever before.  The world is crying out for a better way to create peace, and it is the time for a revolution of different kind. 

Peace Revolution is creating a new “paradigm shift” intent on refocusing all of our personal priorities from an outward search to an inward quest designed to cultivate a lasting peace and self-sustaining happiness.  From there, peace can emanate to others, our family, friends, colleagues, teachers and community at large.

Are you a young peace activist who is looking for something more to help you in your life and work? Would you like to learn how to develop your own inner peace, so that you can more effectively engage in your work for peace?

Peace Revolution is now accepting applications for June 2012 Fellowship in Thailand. The Fellowship is open to all young peace activists who believe that INNER PEACE + OUTER PEACE = SUSTAINABLE WORLD PEACE.

Eligibility

• Be 18-30 years old at the time of submitting the application;
• Have completed 42-day of the online self-development program;
• Have completed at least 1 (online) Special Ops;
• Have good proficiency in written and spoken English language;
• Be optimistic, open-minded, show leadership potential, and have a genuine interest in peace.

Application Process
”Global Peace on the Move 8” will be held from 18 June -1 July 2012.
1. Candidates should apply and begin the self-development program before March 31, 2012 via this link, http://www.peacerevolution.net/docs/en/peace-revolution-fellowship-for-youth
2. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be scheduled for a phone or Skype video interview after 30-day of self-development program has been completed.
3. Candidates have to finish a 42-day of online self-development program with at least 1 (online) special ops to be fully eligible to receive the fellowship as agreed.

Fellowship Program

• 10-day of Inner Peace Retreat (focus on Meditation, Peace, and Buddhist Studies)
• 3-day of Workshop and Dialogue

Check out our Global Peace on the Move VDO at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCoUbA-Ao4. It’s time to revolutionize yourself and make positive transformation for others and the society especially through the use of media. The World is changing and the Revolution is now.