PROMOTING PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE, SOUTH AFRICA 2009.

International Seminar & Conference on Transitional Justice & Conflict Resolution

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

JUNE 15 – July 5, 2009

*Photo courtesy of Sea Turtle*

I. Transitional Justice, Conflict Analysis & Peace Building & Intensive Conflict Resolution Training: UJ, 15 June- 3rd July

The program commences with Global Majority conducting a three-week training course in negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution for up to 60 international and regionally-based students. This section of the course introduces a pedagogical system designed by the Harvard Law School known as “Interest-based Negotiation.” Through this we teach effective negotiation skills aimed at developing win-win solutions. Participants will practice the theories that they study through a series of role-playing simulations, negotiating their way through increasingly complex conflicts relating to southern African tensions. The course will also include presentations by a number of regional and international subject matter experts on the history of southern Africa and on specific challenges that confront policy-makers. The experts of various methods of conflict resolution will be drawn from Global Majority’s International Advisory Board (IAB), all of whom have extensive experience in various aspects and case studies of conflict resolution.

II. International Conference: 3 – 5 July

 To conclude the three-week training, Global Majority will present a three-day conference covering transitional justice and the use of Interest-based Negotiation and NVCR strategies to address conflicts in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The conference will include a mixture of approximately 250 state leaders and civil society members (including the seminar students) from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), universities, think tanks, and the media. Conference activities will include moderated panel discussions, group sessions, and discussion forums for real-time dialogues among representatives of African state and non-state actors who are currently faced with conflict situations. These dialogues will result in a civil society call to action, a “Johannesburg Declaration” which will be disseminated through the global media. This coordinated international campaign is meant to pressure decision makers to come to the negotiation table to address conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa, to promote dialogue and understanding, and to pursue nonviolent conflict resolution. Conference Panels will focus on:

• Background to South African conflicts

• Cultural aspects of transitional justice and conflict resolution

• Gender aspects of transitional justice and conflict resolution

• Case studies of various protracted conflicts

• Migration, Prejudice, and Violence • Government Accountability

• Chosen Trauma and Rebuilding Communities in Transition

• Governance and Transition

• The Role of the Media in Conflict Resolution

• Elements of a Peace Agreement

The Finalized schedule will be ready in June.