Autumn Lecture Series: "Truth and Reconciliation: Empathy in the Face of Suffering"
The European Wasatia Graduate School, in collaboration with ICES, organized a series of lectures aimed at fostering empathy and understanding in reconciliation processes. Key highlights included a lecture by Professor Christo Thesnaar from Stellenbosch University on October 9, titled "Suffering in Reconciliation: Relationally Connecting with Interpathy." He introduced the concept of interpathy, emphasizing its role in fostering empathy and dialogue free from prejudice, essential for genuine reconciliation. On October 16, a distinguished delegation from Epoka University, Albania, engaged in discussions with doctoral students, promoting international academic partnerships and providing a platform for students to present their research.
Broader Academic Initiatives
Ph.D. students from the graduate school actively participated in various academic engagements throughout October:
On October 15, Ph.D. students Astela Veis, Doa Jabari, and Philipa Joseph attended a lecture by Dr. Tobias Nanz on "European Crisis Communication," which examined the role of communication during periods of tension, focusing on British and French diplomatic strategies.
From October 16-19, Ph.D. students Nemer Shaheen, Tea Hodaj, and Yosur Alkukhun participated in the Autumn School on "Europe and the Post-Global World" at Villa Vigoni, Italy. The event, organized by multiple European universities, facilitated discussions on the future of European identity and democracy.
Additionally, on October 23, Stephen Omondi presented his research on the "Impact of Social Media and Youth Spirituality" at the Hekima Research Week Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, exploring social media’s dual role as both a bridge and a barrier to youth spirituality.
Research Contributions by Ph.D. Candidates
Yosur Alkukhun presented her thesis on "Cinemas of Conflict," which examines the role of Palestinian and Israeli films as visual narratives in shaping the ongoing conflict.
Langton Muchenjekwa, a first cohort Ph.D. student, was deeply engaged in a series of lectures throughout October, focusing on conflict resolution and reconciliation. On October 1, he attended a lecture on "Conflict Narration and Analysis" by Professor Dr. Matthias Bauer, which offered insights into the complexities of conflict narratives. On October 8, he participated in a lecture by Prof. Dr. Anna Katharina on "Conflicted Institutions and Human Rights Arguments," exploring the intersection of institutional conflicts and human rights issues. Langton presented his thesis, "Religion and Reconciliation: The Case of the Gukurahundi Massacre in Zimbabwe," on October 9, sharing insights on the role of religion in reconciliation. That same day, he attended a lecture by Professor Christo Thesnaar titled "Suffering in Reconciliation: Relationally Connecting with Interpathy," which emphasized empathy as a key component of reconciliation efforts. On October 23, Langton joined two lectures from Groningen University, one by Sven Gins on "Living with Difficult Neighbours," addressing strategies for coexistence in conflict-prone areas, and another by Federico Minzoni on "Socialising Empowerment," focusing on community empowerment in conflict resolution. His active participation underscores his dedication to understanding conflict dynamics and reconciliation strategies.
Tea Hodaj attended the FReDA Autumn School at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, receiving training on data analysis software Stata, highlighting her engagement in advancing her research skills.
Ongoing Initiatives
The Autumn series also featured weekly #LunchbreakInputs, brief sessions held every Tuesday at Campelle, Flensburg, where Ph.D. students shared their research progress, fostering quick and insightful academic discussions.
These events and initiatives reflect the diverse academic contributions and active participation of the European Wasatia Graduate School’s students, underscoring their engagement in international dialogues and interdisciplinary research.
Autumn Lecture Series at the European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
The European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution has launched its Autumn Lecture Series, themed "Truth and Reconciliation: Empathy in the Face of Suffering," in collaboration with ICES. This series includes a variety of research presentations that delve into critical issues surrounding conflict, education, and peacebuilding.
Keynote Presentation by Dr. Nir Levitan
Dr. Nir Levitan from Bar Ilan University delivered a keynote address titled "The Normalization Process Between Israel and Arab Countries Amidst the Gaza Conflict and Global Geopolitical Shifts." He provided a historical overview of the Arab-Israeli conflict, examining key negotiations and the involvement of global powers. His insights into the complexities of normalization between Israel and Arab countries sparked lively discussions about the broader implications for achieving lasting peace.
ICES & Wasatia Graduate School Book Club
The ICES & Wasatia Graduate School Book Club, led by PhD student Tea Hodaj, is kicking off its Autumn series with The Lives of Michel Foucault by David Macey. The theme, "Biographies of Remarkable Individuals," aims to explore the impact of influential figures like Foucault on philosophy and conflict studies. The club will meet biweekly, starting October 14th, both on campus and online. Hodaj will also present a lecture titled Communicating Conflict through Literature as part of the EUCS Interdisciplinary Lecture Series on November 19th.
Research Contributions from PhD Students
PhD student Tea Hodaj presented her research on folkloric songs and inter-ethnic relations at the 29th IAICS Conference in Opole, Poland. Langton Muchenjekwa attended a seminar on academic integrity in the Netherlands and is preparing two articles on ethics in African philosophy. Ada Cara has been involved in the peer-review process for the Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning journal and attended training on open science and data sharing.
Nemer Shaheen and Finn Büttner completed training courses on qualitative data analysis, while doctoral students Doa Jabari, Philipa Joseph, and Astela Veis attended a webinar on legal education during armed conflict, discussing how to maintain justice and legal education in such contexts. Veis has also co-authored the Albanian book Mbrojtje e Raimond Sebondit and completed a book review on Refugees and Religion published in Reviews in Religion and Theology.
Workshops and Research Presentations
On September 17, Stephen Omondi attended a hybrid workshop on climate change and security and had his abstract accepted for the Hekima Research Week Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, where he will present his work on social media and youth spirituality.
Research Paper by Yosur Alkukhun
Finally, Yosur Alkukhun from the first cohort has completed her research paper titled The Question of Forgiveness: Is it an Individual Social Behavior, or a Collective One? Her study argues that forgiveness is a cultural behavior that shapes collective identities and societal dynamics, serving as a proactive tool for peacebuilding and reconciliation in conflict-ridden societies.
Academic Contributions by Astela Veis
Astela Veis continues to make significant academic contributions, exploring the intersection of refugee experiences and religious identity in her recent work. She co-wrote the book Mbrojtje e Raimond Sebondit and completed a book review on Refugees and Religion: Ethnographic Studies of Global Trajectories, published in Reviews in Religion and Theology.
The European Wasatia Graduate School is proud to support the academic endeavors of its students and foster dialogue on critical issues in peace and conflict resolution.
Opening Ceremony for the Second Cohort of PhD-Students and Visit of the Vice-President of the German Bundestag
(From the EUF press release, 30. May 2024:)
European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution welcomes new students
The European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at the European University of Flensburg (EUF) welcomed its second cohort of students on Wednesday, 29.05.2024. A total of 13 students from Israel, Palestine, Albania, South Africa, Yemen, Iraq, Serbia and Germany were welcomed. The Vice President of the German Bundestag, Aydan Özoğuz, MdB, the Bishop of Schleswig and Holstein, Nora Steen, and University President Prof. Dr. Werner Reinhart also attended the reception. (read more)
Speech from Aydan Özoğuz, Vice-President of the German Bundestag
Welcoming the Second Cohort of Students at the European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
The European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Europa-Universität Flensburg is excited to announce the arrival of its second cohort of students. A total of 13 students from diverse countries, including Israel, Palestine, Albania, South Africa, Yemen, Iraq, Ireland, Serbia, Kenya, and Germany, will be welcomed at a special reception on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
We are honored to have Aydan Özoğuz, Vice-President of the German Bundestag, participating in the welcoming ceremony. She will address the new doctoral students, marking the beginning of their academic journey at the Graduate School.
The European Wasatia Graduate School looks forward to fostering a rich, intercultural environment that promotes peace and conflict resolution through education and research.
Announcement: Scholar in Residence Prof. John Loughlin, Cambrige University, UK
Professor John Loughlin from Cambridge University will be joining the European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Europa Universität Flensburg as the first Scholar in Residence starting from May 1st for a two-month period. During his residency, Professor Loghlin will deliver a lecture titled "The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement: Peace, but is there Reconciliation?" This promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking session.
Professor John Loughlin is a distinguished Senior Research Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and an Emeritus Fellow of St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge. He also holds the title of Emeritus Professor of European Politics at Cardiff University. With a rich academic background, Professor Loughlin has served as a Visiting Professor at esteemed institutions such as Sciences Po, Paris, Bordeaux, and Aix-en- Provence, among others. His expertise extends to advising international bodies including the Council of Europe, the United Nations Habitat Programme, and the EU's Committee of the Regions. Professor Loughlin's research focuses on regionalism, federalism, and European integration, reflected in his extensive publications including "The Oxford Handbook of Local and Regional Democracy in Europe" (OUP, 2010) (read more)
EUF Press Release 20. September 2023
Europa-Universität Flensburg Paves the Way for Closer Collaboration with the University of Cambridge
Europa-Universität Flensburg seeks to deepen its collaboration with the University of Cambridge. At an international conference in Cambridge, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Glassmann, Vice President for Europe and International Affairs, and Dr. Vittorio Montemaggi, Director of the Von Hügel Institute, discussed potential forms of institutional collaboration with the leadership of the Wasatia Graduate School, including Prof. Dr. Ralf Wüstenberg, Dr. Zeina Barakat, and Prof. Dr. Udo Steinbach (Maecenata Foundation). (read more)
Wasatia/ICES Lecture Series "Religion and Reconciliation Seminars"
The third Wasatia/ICES Lecture Series starts in spring term 2023. Listeners are welcome!
European Wasatia Graduate School was presented in the German Bundestag
On 11. November 2022 Ralf K. Wüstenberg, Udo Steinbach, and Zeina Barakat presented the European Wasatia Graduate School to the "Parlamentariergruppe Arabischsprachige Staaten des Nahen und Mittleren Ostens."
