Carter School News

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution hosted a two-day symposium, “A Celebration of Legacy and Impact: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Peacemakers and Leaders for Change,” at Mason Square in Arlington on Oct. 16-17. The symposium commemorated the Carters’ contributions to making the world more peaceful.

The recent renewal of the vicious cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine, once again, has shown that civilians are the ones who primarily shoulder the brunt of war with their lives, livelihoods, and human dignity. This ongoing conflict, like so many others across the globe, is the direct result of the failure of the international community to develop just and sustainable peaceful resolutions.

Yet, even in these dark times, rays of hope pierce through. Around the world, institutions, organizations, and dedicated individuals are diligently striving to care the fragile seeds of dialogue, cooperation, coexistence, and peace. Often, their fearless efforts go unnoticed, and their struggles are underfunded. Their peace infrastructure is under constant attack while every day, they witness the power of the military-industrial complex, proxy wars of geopolitics, and suffering of communities torn apart by physical, structural, and cultural violence. But make no mistake; their role in our shared global narrative is pivotal. They are the bastion against chaos, the remedy of wounds that run generations deep, and the bridge-builders in a fractured world.

In an article published in Focus Ukraine, Dean Alpaslan Özerdem, wrote about the opportunity and need for planning for the reconstruction of Higher Education in Ukraine. Özerdem argues that, "higher education will be needed to keep up with the need for more trained people. No matter how much reconstruction funding is provided, if the country lacks people with the skills to use the help effectively, the reconstruction experience will become a major disappointment for everyone, from donors to national authorities to the war-torn communities themselves."

In an article by the Kyiv Independent, Dean Alpaslan Özerdem reacts to the selection of Penny Pritzker to lead the U.S. efforts in the economic recovery of Ukraine. The article by Elsa Court, published on September 18, 2023, is entitled, Who is Penny Pritzker, new US special representative for Ukraine's economic recovery?

Karina Korostelina, a professor of conflict analysis and resolution in Mason’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, conducts remarkable research with global implications that not only applies to countries and groups in conflict but societies as well. Ukraine’s war with Russia, at its end, she says, will present enormous problems with the reconciliation of people and territories.

In an article by Arab News, Dean Alpaslan Özerdem analyzes the dynamics of post-conflict reintegration of child soldiers and the impacts of their use on public psychology. The article by Rober Bociaga, published on September 1, 2023, is entitled, Sudan conflict poses threat of long-term societal harm as recruitment of child soldiers surges.

George Mason University graduate student Yuhyun Sihn spent the summer studying political polarization through the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

Hannah Adamson, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution, is one of 62 recipients nationwide awarded a fellowship by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

During July 17-20th, 36 passionate students could be found on George Mason University’s campus, facing some of today’s toughest challenges and buzzing with potential solutions. While the field of Conflict Resolution may not be known to all, these students took advantage of an opportunity to engage in discussions over topics like minority issues, climate change, guns in society, immigration, and discrimination.

As hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, many people are discussing how the art form has influenced culture, but few know about its role in conflict resolution and diplomacy.

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution has launched a new website: “Conflict Resolution Resource Hub for Teachers” (https://teach.conflictresolution.gmu.edu). Designed for high school teachers, this site provides free resources and activities to help teachers include non-partisan conflict analysis and resolution tools into their lessons regarding historical and contemporary real-world problems.