Peacebuilding and Cross-Cultural Communication
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a minor disagreement spiraled into a heated argument? Or perhaps you’ve witnessed cultural conflicts and felt uncertain about how to respond? Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but understanding how to manage and resolve it is vital for fostering peace. Therefore, at the core of this course, we will delve into the principles of peacebuilding and explore various mediation strategies that can help transform conflicts into opportunities for understanding and collaboration.
Through case studies of mediators and real-world scenarios, students will learn how peacebuilding and conflict resolution manifest in different cultural and political contexts. We will examine approaches to conflict across regions—from East Asia to South America, Europe to Africa—highlighting the peacebuilding strategies that have been applied successfully in these diverse settings. Thus, by analyzing some of today's most significant conflicts, students will gain a deeper understanding of the global landscape of mediation and conflict resolution. Through a combination of in-class lectures, discussions, presentations, and research preparation, students will actively engage in the study of conflict resolution within the framework of peacebuilding.
• Design and establish effective atmospheres and working guidelines for relationships.
• Apply advanced listening and questioning techniques to navigate and support individuals through their challenges.
Extract and utilize non-verbal cues within groups for better coaching outcomes.
Currently, Elizabeth is a researcher at the Peace Research Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ). She previously represented the peacebuilding track at the Y20/G20 in India as part of the U.S delegation; and has worked as a therapist and field researcher across England, Switzerland, China, Kenya, and France in collaboration with the OECD, ACUNS, Amnesty International, the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights, and the Citizenship Diplomacy Action Fund. Additionally, she is a two-time TEDx speaker, Fulbright alumna at IE University, MEXT Scholar, and an alumna of the Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC).