Democracy and the Diffusion of Ideas Event

July 7 2011 Event

This event has now been cancelled

The University of Essex and the IDCR are pleased to announce an event on Democracy and the Diffusion of Ideas through New Technologies.

Chaired by Professor Todd Landman, Director of the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution (IDCR) at the University of Essex, speakers will include:

• Diane Coyle, OBE, Enlightenment Economics

• Laura Walker Hudson, FrontlineSMS

• Jonathan Crook, Cyberalpha

• Samuel Carlisle, Sukey

Further details and information for booking a place can be found here:

http://democracyseminar.eventbrite.com/

IDCR launches new resource on the Arab Revolutions

Real time information on the Arab Revolutions

Working in partnership with Cyberalpha, a technology company focusing on the collection and visualisation of data and information on key dimensions of governance and human rights, the IDCR has sponsored the creation of an information portal on the Middle East and North African Protests. The portal contains a series of general and country level ‘widgets’ that gather and present information feeds from a variety of different sources on developments in the region.

For more information, please CLICK HERE.

MA/MSc in Conflict Resolution Launched!

The Department of Government launches the new Masters in Conflict Resolution

The evolving field of conflict resolution is of increasing importance in the world today.  As we watch the increasing desire for democracy, and the conflict that arises as a result, the importance of professional intervention is patently clear. 

Understanding the underlying causes of conflict, finding a resolution and maintaining peaceful communities is at the heart of this exciting area of study, and the world clearly needs trained professionals who can work across different political and cultural contexts.

The new Masters in Conflict Resolution is a stimulating interdisciplinary course that provides an overview of international conflict resolution and allows students to explore key methods of conflict management, such as:

• Mediation
• Negotiation
• Collaborative problem solving
• Peace keeping operations

Offered by the top department for political science research in the UK,* students are taught and work alongside people at the forefront of the field of conflict resolution. 

The masters also offers the possibility of undertaking an internship in the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, which provides students the opportunity to gain experience working on projects with national and international partners engaged in a variety of activities relating to democracy and conflict resolution.

The MA/MSc is recruiting now for 2011 entry. 

Full details of the course can be found on the University of Essex Course Finder, which includes information on how to apply.

Questions about the course or to find out about the course in more detail, please contact the Course Director, Ismene Gizelis.

*In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise carried out by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Department of Governmentat the University of Essex was ranked as the top department for politics and international relations in the UK. The Department is internationally known for its theory-driven empirical research and students in the Department have the opportunity to acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills that are relevant and applicable to solving complex problems in the world today.

Budget debated at business breakfast

The University of Essex teamed up with Colchester2020 on 6^th May to give regional businesses the chance to delve into the detail of the 2011 Budget.

The Growth, Fairness and Stability – Unpicking the 2011 Budget event saw academics and business representatives debate how the Budget will impact on businesses and the community and how fair and sustainable is growth at a time of increasing global conflict and economic uncertainty.

Professor Todd Landman from University’s Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution highlighted the impact of international events such as the ‘Arab Spring’ on domestic politics and the economy. Professor Landman said: “…..there is clear link between the events in the MENA region and the price of oil owing to uncertainty in the international commodity markets, as well as a direct link between the UK’s military engagement in Libya and the 8% budget cuts in defence spending as a result of the October 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review…’

IDCR to take part in Fundamental Rights Symposium

‘Using indicators to measure fundamental rights in the EU’

The Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union, established in 2007 as an advisory board for the European Union on all matters relating to the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, is hosting its Second Symposium 12-13 May 2011 in Vienna on the use of data and indicators to monitor human rights in EU Member States.

IDCR Director Professor Todd Landman will participate in a panel that reviews the use of human rights indicators, with a particular focus on civil and political rights. The theme of the symposium fits with the ongoing work of the IDCR in the area of developing new methods for monitoring, measuring and analysing  human rights.

Through its work on the political economy of human rights and its development of a human rights events reporting ‘portal’ with partner organisation Cyberalpha, the IDCR is harnessing the power of new technologies and media solutions to map and monitor human rights developments around the world.

For more details on the FRA Symposium, please CLICK HERE.

Lecture event: Toward a Manifesto for Integrity Education

Toward a Manifesto for Integrity Education

Fredrik  Galtung

Chief Executive and Co-Founder, Tiri

Monday 16th May 2011

1.15 pm until 2.30 pm

Room 5A.325

Fredrik Galtung is the Chief Executive of Tiri, an NGO created in 2003 to raise awareness about corruption and to work to reduce corruption by the application of practical knowledge and skills. Tiri works with governments, business, and civil society to find practical solutions to making integrity work. Tiri is currently active in more than 40 countries on six continents. Tiri is supported by a number of leading foundations, governments (e.g. Canada, Great Britain, Norway) and international governmental organisations.

Fredrik Galtung is considered to be one of the foremost experts on measurements and metrics pertaining to corruption, fraud and organizational integrity. His expertise in this matter and strategic corruption control has been sought by the UN Secretariat, the World Bank, the Offices of the Presidents Nicaragua, Mexico, Benin, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, the Philippines as well as by specialised anti-corruption agencies, civil society groups, academics and development organisations.

This is an event sponsored by the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution.  

Please address questions to Professor Todd Landman, Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution at idcr@essex.ac.uk