Students of the Master of Peace and Conflict Resolution Program (MPRK) at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada are not only expected to have a good understanding of peace studies but also to possess the skills needed to contribute in creating a peaceful society.
Dr. Dody Wibowo, M.A., Quality Assurance Chair of the MPRK Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, provided guidance to MPRK students in a workshop titled “Strategies for Peace-Building Interventions” on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, from 09:00 am to 16:30 pm at the Graduate School building of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
In this workshop, students learned three main elements in creating effective interventions, which consist of:
- Peace Education: Interventions must be able to change the mindset of those being intervened upon to adopt peaceful values. Students learned how to design programs that educate and inspire changes in attitudes and behaviors. This peace education program emphasizes the importance of understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among individuals in a diverse society.
- Do No Harm: Students were reminded to act carefully so that the good intentions and activities they perform do not backfire and cause harm. This principle underscores the importance of impact analysis before carrying out interventions. Students were taught to conduct comprehensive risk assessments to ensure that every action taken does not exacerbate the existing conflict situation.
- Reflecting on Peace Practice: Students were encouraged to think holistically in designing intervention plans, ensuring changes in the mindset of influential and powerful individuals, as well as the general public. These changes must also be realized in the form of policies and cultures to ensure sustainable peace. This approach emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of interventions and make necessary adjustments.
This workshop provided valuable insights and practical skills for MPRK students to design effective and sustainable peace-building interventions. Students hoped to apply this knowledge in future peace programs.
MPRK students are expected to contribute significantly to creating and maintaining peace in various communities and countries with the understanding and skill they gained from this workshop. This activity also reflects the Graduate School’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Author: Dody Wibowo
Editor: Arfikah Istari