Edited Volume Read Along: How the Digital World Drives Real World Conflict

The impact of developing technology on human life and society is so massive that it cannot be understated. It influences all areas of life for communities around the world. Despite this ubiquity, peacebuilders often think of technology as separate from the realm of and forces that generate conflict in the physical world. One way to conceptualize technology is as a tool, implicitly neutral but capable of being used for great good or great evil, depending on how it is wielded. In their chapter “Understanding Digital Conflict Drivers,” authors Helena Puig Larrauri and Maude Morrison present a different framework through which to view technology. In their view, technology is not separate from conflict but operates as an integral part of the forces that drive conflict in the modern era. Technology is not inherently bad, but as a significant part of life, it is also a significant part of conflict. 

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Edited Volume Read Along: What Are Our Twitter Alternatives?

In his article “Decentralized Networks vs. The Trolls,” author Derek Caelin discusses the Fediverse. It’s a combination of the words federation and universe, and it is something I had never heard of until reading this chapter. The Fediverse is made up of a number of alternatives to popular social media sites, and they all rely on software developed by ActivityPub. Rather than hosting all users on one central website like Twitter or YouTube, the Fediverse is made up of individual servers that can all communicate with each other, creating opportunities for more niche communities and broader communication. 

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Upcoming Event – Book Discussion: Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security

May 5, 2022 

11am – 12.30pm  EST 

Virtual Event – Register at: https://umd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EFVPyWVQQjKZ8yFFic6LuQ

This event features the editors of the recent volume Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security: The Future of Humanity. Professor Michael H. Allen, Professor Hoda Mahmoudi, and Dr. Kate Seaman. The discussion will explore the challenges raised in the volume around current thinking and strategies in the field of global peace and security. The discussion will be moderated by Stella Holladay Hudson.  Continue reading

Edited Volume Read Along: Peace Engineering, Peace Data, and Peace Finance

Chapter 7 is titled “Peace Data, Peace Finance, and Peace Engineering: Advancing the Design of Respectful Spaces and Sustainable Development Goals.” In it, authors Aniek van Kersen, Joseph B. Hughes, Margarita Quihuis, and Mark Nelson discuss ways that new ideologies and methodologies that promote peace can be incorporated into new fields. They particularly focus on engineering, data science, and finance, as well as the synergies they find between these three disciplines. 

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Edited Volume Read Along: The Power of Technology

For everyone who is keeping up with our read-along, we’ve finished Part I! Now on to Part II: Technology and Peace. 

In her chapter “ Utilizing Technology for Peace: Seeking New Solutions,” Dr. Kate Seaman sets the tone for this section by raising many complex questions about the role that technology plays in our lives and in global peace. Technological advancements can present exciting opportunities and aid the world in previously unimagined ways. However, like most things, they require critical evaluation and analysis to help mitigate the potential negative repercussions they can bring. New technologies present new ethical and moral quandaries that deserve significant attention and discussion. 

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Edited Volume Read Along: Democratization, Globalization, and Compassion: The Challenges and Hope for the Future

Professor Craig N . Murphy begins his chapter “Where Democratization and Globalization Meet” with an interesting thought experiment. He calls it a “democratic solution to a global problem.” The problem he addresses is one whose global reach is clear: Climate Change. The disruptive and devastating impact of human industry on the ecological well-being of the Earth is widespread, and while blame is rightly skewed towards wealthy industrialized nations, the consequences affect everyone. 

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New Edited Volume: Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security

The introduction to Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security: The Future of Humanity begins, “world society faces immediate and long-term threats to peace and security” (Mahmoudi et al., 2022, 1). Given the current combative climate in the world, these words feel all the more hauntingly prescient. 

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The Future of the International Order: A Discussion Series

One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance. In 2018, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. Over the coming weeks we will be posting short reflections on the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations. These reflections will be posted on our blog on a weekly basis, and will offer insight into our ongoing learning process. Continue reading

“Use your words” – Language and positive peace – Dr. Tiffani Betts Razavi

There are certain words one simply does not expect to use when reflecting on violence and atrocity. Encouraging is one of them.

And yet, from the personal stories of reentry and reintegration of people convicted of genocide in Rwanda, the efforts to structure society to rebuild after traumatic rupture, and the learning generated by communities actively seeking to promote healing shared through the research of Dr. Hollie Nyseth Brehm in her recent lecture, emerged an encouraging narrative of overcoming adversity. Continue reading

Welcome Back to Campus!

The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace wants to welcome all of our UMD students back to campus for the spring semester! We have an exciting semester planned and want to invite you visit our office to learn more about how the Bahá’í Chair works to advance an integrative approach to world peace. We also invite you to attend our events this semester to participate in the conversation of building global peace. Continue reading

Reflection: International Day of Peace 2017

“We are a world in pieces. We need to be a world at peace.”

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General

 

Today is the International Day of Peace, a day designated by the United Nations General Assembly as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” The day is focused on the TOGETHER campaign launched by the United Nations in September 2016 to promote respect, safety and dignity for refugees and migrants and to counter the rise in xenophobia and discrimination. Continue reading

Insights: Searching for the Impossible

This is a reflection written by Esther Kaufman on the lecture given by Dr. Nicole des Bouvrie on the 30th of November 2016.  

Why We Should Search for the Impossible

What if the question, “Can Women Think?” is not an absurd question? Dr. des Bouvrie began her lecture by introducing historic western philosophers whose ideas have established the foundation of Western thinking. From ancient times, white male philosophers have built identities based on differences. Following their philosophies women cannot think, or at least, not as men do. Continue reading

Insights: Conference on Children and Youth Day One

A first attempt at gleaning some of the insights shared this first morning of the conference on Children and Youth in an Interconnected World, full of presentations from a broad range of distinguished speakers, all talking about the role of children and youth in this fast-changing world.

Follow the latest news on the conference through #LOTLUMD on Twitter!

Globalization 2.0: Children and Youth in an Interconnected World.

Professor Marcelo Suarez-Orozco from the University of California, Los Angeles, brought up many interesting statistics as how migration is the human face of globalization as we know it now. Many cities are moving towards superdiversity hubs, where immigrants become the majority. In many places two-thirds of the children in the classroom are from immigrant backgrounds. It is the value of family that drives migration. But how might one use this challenge as an opportunity? Education is the key, making use of the multilinguistic capacities and the often missed ability of this diverse group of children to learn and reflect on their learning. Continue reading

Values and Moral Principles – Our Road to Peace

Rather than make assumptions about other people that are not based on facts, try to get out of your comfort zone and try to talk to people you would not normally talk to. ~ Professor Hoda Mahmoudi.

Professor Hoda Mahmoudi discusses the Baha’i Chair’s views on peace in this video by the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, University of Maryland.