OxPeace Conference 2009: The Serious Study of Peace

Breakout session on 'Religion, Peace and Conflict.' First talk: Carlo Aldrovandi, Ph.D. candidate, Peace Studies, Univ. of Bradford, on 'Forcing the End Times: US Christian Zionism and Israel'. US Christian Zionism may be characterized as a theo-political movement stemming from American Conservative Evangelicalism, which advocates that at the end of the time Christ will come to rule the world for thousand years before the Last Judgment and that He will do so centred on Greater Israel and focused on Jerusalem. Although difficult to assess, the current proportion of Christian Zionists among the 100-130 million of American Evangelicals (the population of United States is 293 million) could be estimated around 20-25%. In light of an Eschatological fulfilment, Christian Zionist congregations and lobbies, even more dedicated than the majority of Jewish interest groups, provide vast political, financial and practical support to the modern State of Israel. This paper considers the key dynamics underpinning the Apocalyptic understanding of faith amongst Christian Zionists, and the extent to which such dynamics are able to exert a key influence on the Israeli-Palestinian peace processes.

Dr Anke Hoeffler, Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University, gives the second plenary address. She speaks from her work with Professor Paul Collier on the need of the poorest countries for assistance both with development and with structural security, and how to provide both in an acceptable and effective manner.

Dr Anke Hoeffler, Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University, gives the second plenary address. She speaks from her work with Professor Paul Collier on the need of the poorest countries for assistance both with development and with structural security, and how to provide both in an acceptable and effective manner.

Professor Scott Appleby, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame Professor Scott Appleby, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, gives a plenary address on 'Strategic Peacebuilding for the 21st Century', and the Kroc Institute's aim of designing peace studies to form 'strategic peacebuilders'. At its core, peacebuilding nurtures constructive human relationships. To be relevant it must do so strategically, at every level of society and across the potentially polarizing lines of ethnicity, class, religion and race. This presentation describes an emerging approach to deadly conflict known as strategic peacebuilding - the capacity to recognize and develop strategies to maximize the impact of initiatives for constructive change within a globalized milieu. Strategic peacebuilding therefore denotes an approach to reducing violence, resolving conflict and building peace that is marked by a heightened awareness of, and skillful adaptation to, the complex and shifting material, geopolitical, economic and cultural realities of our increasingly globalized and interdependent world. Accordingly, peacebuilding that is strategic draws intentionally and shrewdly on the overlapping and imperfectly coordinated presences, activities and resources of various international, transnational, national, regional and local institutions, agencies and movements that influence the causes, expressions and outcomes of conflict. Strategic peacebuilders take advantage of emerging and established patterns of collaboration and interdependence for the purposes of reducing violence and alleviating the root causes of deadly conflict. They encourage the deeper and more frequent convergence of mission, resources, expertise, insight and benevolent self-interest that characterize the most fruitful multilateral collaborations in the cause of peace. How have elements of the approach emerged in the post cold war world? Who are the relevant partners in this enterprise? What type of skills and training are central to strategic peacebuilding? The presentation will suggest answers to these questions.

Professor Scott Appleby, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame Professor Scott Appleby, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, gives a plenary address on 'Strategic Peacebuilding for the 21st Century', and the Kroc Institute's aim of designing peace studies to form 'strategic peacebuilders'. At its core, peacebuilding nurtures constructive human relationships. To be relevant it must do so strategically, at every level of society and across the potentially polarizing lines of ethnicity, class, religion and race. This presentation describes an emerging approach to deadly conflict known as strategic peacebuilding - the capacity to recognize and develop strategies to maximize the impact of initiatives for constructive change within a globalized milieu. Strategic peacebuilding therefore denotes an approach to reducing violence, resolving conflict and building peace that is marked by a heightened awareness of, and skillful adaptation to, the complex and shifting material, geopolitical, economic and cultural realities of our increasingly globalized and interdependent world. Accordingly, peacebuilding that is strategic draws intentionally and shrewdly on the overlapping and imperfectly coordinated presences, activities and resources of various international, transnational, national, regional and local institutions, agencies and movements that influence the causes, expressions and outcomes of conflict. Strategic peacebuilders take advantage of emerging and established patterns of collaboration and interdependence for the purposes of reducing violence and alleviating the root causes of deadly conflict. They encourage the deeper and more frequent convergence of mission, resources, expertise, insight and benevolent self-interest that characterize the most fruitful multilateral collaborations in the cause of peace. How have elements of the approach emerged in the post cold war world? Who are the relevant partners in this enterprise? What type of skills and training are central to strategic peacebuilding? The presentation will suggest answers to these questions.

At the morning plenary, Saturday 2 May, Revd Dr Liz Carmichael MBE (Oxford University, Theology) introduces the Conference.

At the morning plenary, Saturday 2 May, Revd Dr Liz Carmichael MBE (Oxford University, Theology) introduces the Conference.

Professor Neil MacFarlane, Lester Pearson Professor of International Relations (Oxford) introduces Jonathan Powell to give the keynote address at the Conference dinner, on his experience of peacemaking and implementing peace in Northern Ireland.

Professor Neil MacFarlane, Lester Pearson Professor of International Relations (Oxford) introduces Jonathan Powell to give the keynote address at the Conference dinner, on his experience of peacemaking and implementing peace in Northern Ireland.