Conflict Management Studies is the interdisciplinary study of theories, strategies, and practices aimed at preventing, resolving, and mitigating conflicts at various levels of society.
Definition of Conflict: Understanding what conflict means, its sources, and different types of conflicts, such as personal, social, cultural or political.
Conflict theory: Examining the root causes of conflict, analyzing its structure and language, and understanding the differences and similarities between society and individual conflicts.
Conflict resolution: Different methods for managing and resolving conflicts, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and dialogue in both an interpersonal and geopolitical context.
Peacebuilding: This is a process of creating and sustaining conditions that minimize the likelihood of violence and make peaceful relations viable. This involves reconciliation and violence reduction programs alongside meaningful advocacy for social and political change.
Diplomacy: This includes the principles, practices, and methods of communication and negotiation between international actors, such as states or non-state actors, with the goal of maintaining or creating peaceful relations.
Conflict analysis: This field of study provides tools, techniques, and frameworks to analyze the complexity of conflict. It could include tools like maps, charts, and database structures which can be used to explore the various dynamics and relationships within a conflict.
International Humanitarian Law: This is the law that governs the treatment of wounded and sick combatants and civilians affected by armed conflict, as well as the rules for conflict management by belligerents.
Terrorism studies: The study of terrorism and in particular its causes, social and political impact and the ways in which responses are developed and implemented.
Gender studies: The study of gender in conflict, including the ways in which women and men are differently affected by and involved in conflict situations.
Human rights and development: Human rights broadly refer to the fundamental rights and freedoms that are recognized for all persons without any discrimination, social marginalization or exclusion. Development refer to the sustainable economic, social and political improvements within societies. Understanding how these two relate can be useful for resolving conflicts.
Nonviolent resistance: This is the active practice of peaceful and nonviolent resistance to oppressive or oppressive behavior. It includes civil disobedience, mass protests and unarmed occupations aimed at achieving social, economic and political change.
Trauma healing and managing pain: Providing care and support for people who have experienced or witnessed conflict or violence, including issues related to safety, mental health, and psychosocial wellbeing.
Conflict transformation: This field seeks to study and provide relief to current and underlying conflicts. It engages the dissimilar factors that led to the conflict while also including the underpinning meanings of the particular conflict for each of the parties involved.
Peace education: The teaching and promoting of peace through literature, theory, and practical means, aimed at creating a culture of peace and nonviolence.
Global governance and security: The mechanisms and strategies in place for global peace and security, including the role of international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the African Union.
Negotiation and Mediation Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on resolving conflicts through mediation and negotiation between conflicting parties.
Human Rights Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on identifying human rights violations in conflicts and devising strategies to resolve such violations.
Conflict Resolution Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on resolving conflicts and preventing further conflicts from arising in the future.
Diplomacy Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on the use of diplomacy in resolving conflicts, particularly conflicts between nations.
Peacekeeping Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on the use of peacekeeping missions in managing conflicts and maintaining peace in areas affected by conflict.
Security Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on the use of security measures in managing conflicts and preventing violence.
Conflict Transformation Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on transforming conflicts into more sustainable and peaceful relationships between conflicting parties.
Psychology of Conflict Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on the psychological aspects of conflicts and how to manage and resolve conflicts based on understanding the emotions and cognitive processes of conflicting parties.
Gender and Conflict Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on understanding the role of gender in conflicts and devising strategies to address gender-related issues in conflicts.
Environmental Conflict Studies: This type of conflict management study focuses on the role of the environment in conflicts and devising strategies to manage environmental conflicts.