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Advancing Peace Studies

Students who want to obtain advanced degrees in peace and conflict studies will be able to pursue a new Masters of Arts program in Manitoba effective September 2010.

The new, joint Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies, which has been in the works for several years, is a partnership between The University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba.

Winnipeg has now joined Washington, DC as the only cities in North America to offer a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral program in peace and conflict studies.

Dr. Joanne Keselman, Vice-President (Academic) and Provost at the University of Manitoba, said: “This new program builds on academic strengths at the University of Manitoba and enables us to devote new resources to this important field of study. As outlined in its Strategic Planning Framework, the University of Manitoba is committed to encouraging debate and discussion around the understanding of human rights, peace and justice and respect for others. In collaboration with our colleagues we aim to make Manitoba the preeminent centre for peace and conflict studies in Canada.”

Winnipeg – a human rights city

“This is a significant addition to our academic repertoire because until now, students in Manitoba could only obtain a BA and a PhD in this field. Now we are linking that journey with this new Masters degree,” said Dr. Sandra Kirby, Associate VP (Research) and Dean of Graduate Studies, UWinnipeg. “With the new Canadian Human Rights Museum at the Forks, we see this as an important synergy that allows us to keep building an academic base that complements Winnipeg’s emerging reputation as an international human rights city.”

The peace and conflict studies’ research priorities will include the analysis and resolution of protracted ethno-political conflicts, Indigenous approaches to peacemaking, gender, conflict and peace building, peace education, children and war in the context of human rights and human security.

At The University of Winnipeg, the new MA program is coordinated by Marilou McPhedran, Principal of Global College, which offers Western Canada’s first BA in Human Rights and Global Studies. In partnership with Menno Simons College, UWinnipeg also offers a BA in Conflict Resolution Studies and a BA in International Development Studies.

The Arthur V. Mauro Centre at St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba, is dedicated to the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution, global citizenship, peace, and social justice through research, education, and outreach. The Centre is home to the PhD Program in Peace and Conflict Studies; the joint MA Program in Peace and Conflict Studies is governed by the University of Manitoba and The University of Winnipeg, housed at the Mauro Centre and Global College.

COURSE INFORMATION

People wishing to obtain more information from The University of Winnipeg about the new, joint MA in Peace and Conflict Studies can contact Global College 204.988.7105 global.college@uwinnipeg.ca or Menno Simons College 204.953.3847 n.funk-unrau@uwinnipeg.ca

MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, C: 204.293.1167, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca