2023 International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

ICERM August 31, 2023

Diversity

The 8th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

Date:

Tuesday, September 26 – Thursday, September 28, 2023

Location:

75 S Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601

Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Across All Sectors: Implementations, Challenges, And Future Prospects

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Download The 2023 Conference Program

View the schedule of presentations for September 26, 27, and 28, 2023. We look forward to seeing you at the conference.

To register for the conference, click here.

Time Zone: Eastern Time (New York Time)

Please note that our time zone is Eastern Time (New York).

DAY ONE

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

9:00 AM Registration and Check-in

Check in first at the Security Post when entering the building.

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast

Location: Café

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Plenary Session

Location: Conference Room A

10:00 AM Opening Remarks

Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERMediation

10:30 AM Keynote Speech

Theme: Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Across All Sectors: Implementations, Challenges, And Future Prospects

Keynote Speaker

Arthur J. Lerman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Political Science, History, and Conflict Management, Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Certified Mediator and Chair, Board of Directors, Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Bronx, NY

Chair

Jude Aguwa, Ph.D., Professor of Religion, School of Liberal Arts, Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY.

11:00 AM Q&A Session with the Keynote Speaker

11:45 PM Conference Group Photo

1:00 PM – 2 PM Luncheon

Location: Conference Room A

Face in Mediation: How Face Impacts Ethnic and Religious Conversations and May Act as a Barrier to Conflict Resolution

Lisa Singh, Independent Mediator/Consultant/Trainer, Dayton Mediation Center, Dayton, OH

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

2:30 PM Panel 1

Location: Conference Room A

DEI and Coloniality in a Peace and Conflict Studies Program

Rafael Lindau, Unit for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Innsbruck, Austria

The Contempt for Voodoo in the Nineteenth Century by the Haitian Intellectual Elite

Rodady Gustave, University of Grenoble Alpes, France/ State University of Haiti, attached to CESICE/LADIREP Laboratory

Reinforcing Peaceful Coexistence through Interreligious Dialogue, Equity, and Inclusion in Cameroon

Francis Tazoacha, Peace and Security Division, Nkafu Policy Institute, Cameroon

4:00 PM Panel 2

Location: Conference Room A

How International Aid Challenges the Diversity of Indigenous Peacebuilding Civil Society Organizations

Mark Barrow, Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge (Christ’s College), UK

Development Aid and Post Religio-Ethnic War Reconstruction in Africa’s Fragile States

Badru Hasan Segujja, Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, Kampala International University, Uganda

Promoting Compassionate Values to Foster Equity and Inclusion Across all Sectors: The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations

Alao Oluwatobi Sinmisola, Solutions To Our Generation, Nigeria

5:30 PM Day One Closing Remarks

Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERMediation

DAY TWO

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

9:00 AM Registration and Check-in

Check in first at the Security Post when entering the building.

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast

Location: Café

10:00 AM – 12:45 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

10:00 AM Panel 3

Location: Conference Room A

Identity Crisis and Religious Radicalism among Young People in the Suburbs of France

Abdel-Halim Berretima, Laboratory LASSU “Society, Health, Urbanity” at the University of Bejaïa, Algeria

The Brotherhood We Need: A Sufi Master’s Message to Believers

Ayşe Büşra Yakut Kubaş, Ankara University, Turkey

Unity in Diversity: Education in Multi-ethnic Malaysia

Nur Daut, Asian Studies Program, Kansai Gaidai University, Japan

11:30 AM Panel 4

Location: Conference Room A

Trends and Patterns of Violence against Civilians by State Forces in Ethiopia: Emphasis on the Recent Tigray War

Micheal Tsegay Assefa, School of International Relations, University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing, China

Ethnic-Based Violence and Religious Strife on Social Economic Status of Selected Communities in East Africa

Hastings Rutindangyezi, Kampala International University, Tanzania

Transforming Horizontal Violence: A Framework for Intragroup Conflict

Ani Kalayjian, Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention, New York

12:45 PM Conference Group Photo

1:00 PM – 2 PM Luncheon

Location: Conference Room A

“Treat Him Like a Tax Collector” Matt 18, 17: A Christian’s Response to Socio-Religious Conflicts in Nigeria

Dominic Obielosi, Department of Religion and Human Relations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

2:30 PM Panel 5

Location: Conference Room A

The Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

Karol Janas, Department of Political Science, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín in Trenčín, Slovakia

Rudolf Kucharčík, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

The Engagement of the European Union in the Armenian-Azerbaijani Peace Process: The Regional Leadership Takeover in the Global Multipolar Matrix

Michael Augustin and Rudolf Kucharcik, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

4:00 PM Panel 6

Location: Conference Room A

Climate Change Contribution Towards the Global Unrest and the Emergence of Conflicts

Jakub Pernický, Faculty of International Relations, the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

Representation of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Values in Pre-School and Lower Primary Learner’s Workbooks in the Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum: Misses and Opportunities

Samuel Kochomay, Mount Kenya University, Kenya

Homosexuality in Ugandan Schools: A Case of 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

Kayiga Wahab, Islamic University in Uganda, Females Campus

5:30 PM Day Two Closing Remarks

Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERMediation

DAY THREE

Thursday, September 28, 2023

9:00 AM Registration and Check-in

Check in first at the Security Post when entering the building.

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast

Location: Café

10:00 AM – 12:45 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

10:00 AM Panel 7

Location: Conference Room A

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia: Between the Politics of Ideology and Pragmatism

Ján Dančo, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

The Conception of Human Security in Kurdistan Region of Iraq : A Legal Analysis on ISIL

Saman Omar, University of Duhok’s College of Humanity Sciences, Kurdistan Region – Iraq and Universities Utara Malaysia

Asmar binti Abdul Rahim, College of Law, Universities Utara Malaysia

Game Theory in Ethnic and Religious Conflict Research

Martin Karas, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

11:30 AM Panel 8

Location: Conference Room A

The New Era for Christianity in China

Eva Jančíková, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia

Building Civic Unity in the Kyrgyz Republic

Jyldyz Murzabekova, Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic

Women’s Empowerment: Peace And Sustainable Development In Uganda

Asiimwe Daisy Jorrinah, Kampala International University, Uganda

12:45 PM Conference Group Photo

1:00 PM – 2 PM Luncheon

Location: Conference Room A

Media, A Powerful Weapon for Peacebuilding

M. I. M. Ziyad, Sri Lanka Professional Social Workers Association (SLPSW)

2:30 PM – 5:00 PM Insights from the Experts and Panel Discussions

2:30 PM Panel 9

Location: Conference Room A

Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria

Babatunde Osabiya, Department of Political Science, Clemson University, South Carolina

Good Governance: Conflict Resolution and Peace Building in Lagos State Tertiary Institutions, Nigeria

Babatunde Joel Todowede, Tax Management and Revenue Unit, Lagos State University, Nigeria

Public Policy and Citizenship Question in Nigeria: Implications for Nation-Building

Martins A. Arogundade, Department of General Studies, College of Applied Social Science, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria

4:00 PM Panel 10

Location: Conference Room A

Armed Banditry and the Lake Chad Food Security Quandary: Routinized Response or Broader Approach?

Augustine Ugar Akah, Institute of International Political Sociology, Kiel University, Germany

Bottom-Up Cultural Diplomacy: How Practitioners Can Support Local Movements and Effect Change

Lisa Singh, Independent Mediator/Consultant/Trainer, Dayton Mediation Center, Dayton, OH

5:00 PM Day Three Closing Remarks

Basil Ugorji, Ph.D., President and CEO, ICERMediation

Share

Categories: Meetings Coverage

Tags: 2023 Conference, Annual International Conference, conflict resolution, Diversity, equity, inclusion, Past Conferences, peacebuilding

Related Articles

Igboland

Religions in Igboland: Diversification, Relevance and Belonging

Religion is one of the socioeconomic phenomena with undeniable impacts on humanity anywhere in the world. As sacrosanct as it seems, religion is not only important to the understanding of the existence of any indigenous population but also has policy relevance in the interethnic and developmental contexts. Historical and ethnographic evidence on different manifestations and nomenclatures of the phenomenon of religion abound. The Igbo nation in Southern Nigeria, on both sides of the Niger River, is one of the largest black entrepreneurial cultural groups in Africa, with unmistakable religious fervour that implicates sustainable development and interethnic interactions within its traditional borders. But the religious landscape of Igboland is constantly changing. Until 1840, the dominant religion(s) of the Igbo was indigenous or traditional. Less than two decades later, when Christian missionary activity commenced in the area, a new force was unleashed that would eventually reconfigure the indigenous religious landscape of the area. Christianity grew to dwarf the dominance of the latter. Before the centenary of Christianity in Igboland, Islam and other less hegemonic faiths arose to compete against indigenous Igbo religions and Christianity. This paper tracks the religious diversification and its functional relevance to harmonious development in Igboland. It draws its data from published works, interviews, and artefacts. It argues that as new religions emerge, the Igbo religious landscape will continue to diversify and/or adapt, either for inclusivity or exclusivity among the existing and emerging religions, for the survival of the Igbo.

Share

Egodi Uchendu November 17, 2023

Dr. Frances Bernard Kominkiewicz PhD

Relationship between Ethno-Religious Conflict and Economic Growth: Analysis of the Scholarly Literature

Abstract: This research reports on the analysis of scholarly research that focuses on the relationship between ethno-religious conflict and economic growth. The paper informs conference…

Share

Frances Bernard Kominkiewicz December 18, 2022

Complexity in Action: Interfaith Dialogue and Peacemaking in Burma and New York

Introduction It is crucial for the conflict resolution community to understand the interplay of the many factors converging to produce conflict between and within faith…

Share

Paul Adem Carroll November 3, 2016

Conversion

Conversion to Islam and Ethnic Nationalism in Malaysia

This paper is a segment of a larger research project that focuses on the rise of ethnic Malay nationalism and supremacy in Malaysia. While the rise of ethnic Malay nationalism can be attributed to various factors, this paper specifically focuses on the Islamic conversion law in Malaysia and whether or not it has reinforced the sentiment of ethnic Malay supremacy. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country which gained its independence in 1957 from the British. The Malays being the largest ethnic group have always regarded the religion of Islam as part and parcel of their identity which separates them from other ethnic groups that were brought into the country during British colonial rule. While Islam is the official religion, the Constitution allows other religions to be practiced peacefully by non-Malay Malaysians, namely the ethnic Chinese and Indians. However, the Islamic law that governs Muslim marriages in Malaysia has mandated that non-Muslims must convert to Islam should they wish to marry Muslims. In this paper, I argue that the Islamic conversion law has been used as a tool to strengthen the sentiment of ethnic Malay nationalism in Malaysia. Preliminary data were collected based on interviews with Malay Muslims who are married to non-Malays. The results have shown that majority of Malay interviewees consider conversion to Islam as imperative as required by the Islamic religion and the state law. In addition, they also see no reason why non-Malays would object to converting to Islam, as upon marriage, the children will automatically be considered Malays as per the Constitution, which also comes with status and privileges. Views of non-Malays who have converted to Islam were based on secondary interviews that have been conducted by other scholars. As being a Muslim is associated with being a Malay, many non-Malays that converted feel robbed of their sense of religious and ethnic identity, and feel pressured to embrace the ethnic Malay culture. While changing the conversion law might be difficult, open interfaith dialogues in schools and in public sectors might be the first step to tackle this problem.

Share

Nur Daut November 18, 2023