Why Peace and Conflict studies?

If you are not familiar with the field of Peace and Conflict studies, you might ask yourself, why this course? It focuses on issues regarding conflicts, war and peace; but what does this really mean? Peace and Conflict studies are fascinating as they deal with some of the most essential questions of human relationships- the outcomes of behaviours and attitudes, and of coexistence or conflicts. One of the essential questions in Peace and Conflict studies is, why do conflicts occur and how can (violent) conflicts be resolved or transformed?

In order to answer these questions, and in order to look into the roots of conflicts, it does not suffice to look only into one field of thought. Therefore, Peace and Conflict studies is a multi-disciplinary field.  In order to understand the roots of especially violent conflicts, this academic field analyses reasons for war and conflicts by borrowing and expanding theories from psychology, social sciences, international relations, philosophy, political science, and many more.

In order to form understandings of how to transform violence and violent events, Peace and Conflict studies investigate means that are explanatory and solution orientated. The field also examines the various ways that people can live together; of making peace(s) and post-conflict reconciliation. Peace and Conflict Studies is different from for example International Relations in that its roots lie in a normative commitment to peace.  

What is Peace?
This is another important question. Peace and Conflicts studies understands peace through knowledge of Peace in various cultures and religions. In the Peace and Conflict course in Puducherry, India, we especially seek to understand various concepts of Peace as well as Conflict in Islam and Hinduism. Furthermore, the peace studies are rooted in those committed to world peace and local peaces; Peace activisms, anti-war movements, non-violent struggles and Peace Movements. Peace is thus understood than more than simply an absence of war or violence.

Religion, Peace and Conflict
The quest for peace has captivated humanity from time unmemorable, as has the reason for violence. In every human civilisations/community people have been searching for a deeper understanding about the mysterious of life, including the understanding and experience of peace and violence.

Despite the various experiences of being “in Peace”, most religio-spiritual traditions agree that though focusing at the inner wisdom of the self, one ultimately realises the core meaning of life and peace. For many peace activists and researchers/scholars throughout the world the understanding of the roots of peace and violence, lies in the universal  experiences and explanations of individualities such as Gautama Sidharta, Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Jesus Christ, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Sri Aurobindo and J. Krishnamurty. Their lives, thoughts and deeds have influenced the field of Peace and Conflict studies.

The aspect of religion and peace/violence is evaluated and brought into considerations when analysing and resolving conflicts. The religio- spiritual dimension is a reality in human life and behaviour. By considering religion and its mechanisms as an integral part of human relations, Peace and Conflict studies emphasise that violent events and conflicts have/can to be analysed by including the individual and collective belief systems and religious experience fields of people. Possible answers, reasons and solutions to conflicts can thus be found in religion itself.