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Fatah, Hamas and the Future of PalestineEver since the disastrous split in Palestinian leadership of several years ago into Fatah and Hamas it has become clear that disunity has been a critical factor standing in the way of Palestinian statehood. Many reconciliation efforts, with several third parties, were attempted and aborted. This time it seems that things are different, despite the enormous ideological divisions and outstanding grievances between Fatah and Hamas. |
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S-CAR Hosts the OIC: Conflict Resolution in the Islamic WorldOn April 11, 2011, the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), the Center for Global Studies, and the Ali Vural Ak Center for Islamic Studies welcomed HE Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to George Mason University. The OIC is the world’s second largest inter-governmental organization, consisting of 57 member states from across four continents. Ihsanoglu, who previously taught at the University of Istanbul, spoke on “The Role of the OIC in Conflict Resolution: Involving Member States and Muslim Communities.” A large audience of faculty, students, diplomats, international media, and other invited guests participated. |
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The Limits of Reconciliation: Applied Practice and Theory in South AfricaEvery year a team of graduate students taking the Applied Practice and Theory (APT) course conducts research on an overseas conflict. The purpose of the course is to give students experience in understanding dynamics of conflict that include issues of violence, injustice, and discrimination, as well as developing research and practice projects on conflict resolution. This year, students decided to conduct research on post-apartheid society in South Africa, with the objective of understanding the current state of intergroup relations and national identity in South Africa and the factors that contribute to them. In January 2011, the team traveled to South Africa to conduct interviews in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. Students met and interviewed forty-one experts, learned how to develop a snowball sampling, how to negotiate and organize everyday activities in a... |
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"Exploring Communities Today": Undergraduate Annual Spring ConferenceAs the university pushes for more emphasis on undergraduate scholarship opportunities, S-CAR proudly displayed its commitment to George Mason University’s Students as Scholars Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at its Second Annual Spring Conference. The conference was established in 2010 as a means to provide an outlet for undergraduate research in the field of conflict analysis and resolution. This year’s installment, titled “Exploring Communities Today: Dilemmas & Opportunities,” focused on the program’s mezzo concentration. |
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Student Opinion: Women Across AmericaMary Knapp, an S-CAR graduate, and her 22 year old son, Chandler Fredenberg-Knapp are walking across America to raise awareness of the need for greater participation by women, in partnership with men, in efforts to resolve global challenges. “With the world interconnected economically, technologically, environmentally and socially,” says Mary, “What is needed now are women with the skills to communicate, collaborate, share information, manage resources and weave together the well-being of families and communities.”
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Dolores Gomez Moran, OmbudspersonDolores Gómez-Morán, George Mason University’s Ombudsperson, was recently named as a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OP) from the Board of Certification of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA). Because the IOA only recently established the certification process in 2009 Gómez-Morán is now one of only fifty internationally certified Ombudspersons. |
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Ethan Finley, S-CAR Ph.D. CandidateEthan’s journey to ICAR had its roots between 2002-2004 while he spent time taking care of his grandmother. During this period she helped him discover his passion and interest in studying social conflict. At her suggestion he began searching for conflict resolution programs and found ICAR. After completing the Master’s program in 2008, Ethan was accepted in to the Ph.D. program as a Presidential Scholar. |