Peace and Conflict Department
The heads of private and public bodies are increasingly calling people whose expertise are in peace and conflict studies. Africa is being faced with a rising backlog of destructive conflicts, which deters peace leading to underdevelopment. Such conflicts have been experienced in Kenya, as well as surrounding countries like Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, and others. On national and international levels some of the root causes of these destructive conflicts are: tribal/ethnic conflict, unequal distribution of natural resources, and poverty among others. In a low level of conflict, other root causes have been attributed to injustice in court cases, cattle rustling, water competition, revenge missions, the cost and delay of justice, crime in the streets, domestic violence, disorder in schools, ongoing conflict in various workplace settings, and people generally unable to cope with the stress of modern living among others. All these contribute to a pressing need of peacemakers, mediators, and facilitators capable of resolving destructive conflict with justice. To excel in this capacity, peace and conflict studies practitioners need a thorough understanding of practical peace and conflict resolution theories effective for leading the world from destructive conflict to peaceful coexistence. The development of perspectives and skills in peace, justice, and conflict resolution are relevant in the general areas of private business, the arts, national and international nongovernmental organizations, and national, regional and international government bodies, as well as church related organizations.
Africa Nazarene University (ANU) currently has the following approved Programs
- Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
- Diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
- Advanced Diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
- Post-graduate Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
- Post-graduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
- Bachelors of Arts Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies
- Masters of Arts Degree in Governance, Peace and Security (Proposed and coming soon)
Purpose of Peace Programs
Is to equip students with requisite knowledge, cutting edge skills and competencies required on governance, peace and security to meet Africa’s present and future complex peace and security challenges
Aim of the Program
To produce graduates who are prepared to go on to numerous related areas such as diplomacy, Third World aid and development, mediation services, public relations, defense planning, management operations, industrial relations, fields of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, and peace advocacy among others.
Target Group
The program is open to peacemakers, Security/Intelligence services personnel, United Nations & Regional Organizations, Civil Society Groups, NGOs, Politicians, Parliamentarians, Lawyers, Peace Council, District Chief Executives, Civil Servants and civilians from all over the world.
Philosophy of Peace Programs
The programs stress ethical and moral values in conflict solving mechanism and peace building procedure in every unit with an aim of developing individuals academically, spiritually, culturally, and physically on issues of negotiations skills and techniques required for victorious mediations in divide of public and private sectors.
Rationale of Peace Programs
The overall purpose of peace and conflict programs is to prepare students as potential leaders with peacemaking and conflict studies skills, which they can apply to daily life situations, regardless of their academic disciplines or chosen professions. The programs have been developed to provide a Christian interdisciplinary perspective to the study of conflict, violence, war, and peace. Christian approach to peace and conflict studies is essential in view of the highly complex, interconnected, interdependent world in which we live. This requires an understanding that allows people to respond creatively, rather than thoughtlessly, to conflict and violence at various levels.
Expected Learning Outcomes
The program seeks to offer students a thorough grounding in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies skills through the outcomes of content, competence, character and context. This will assist them to develop analytical skills and approaches to conflict studies and to find the best solutions using appropriate tools. Specifically the programs aim at the time of graduation students will be able to meet the following degree objectives:
- Develop strategies for solving conflict in given situations,
- Apply effective peace-building tools and negotiations skills in solving various types of conflicts,
- Formulate policies and strategies for community development and conflict mitigation,
- Assess environments, establish possible conflicts and apply negotiations skill into decision making and conflict mitigation
