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Rotary Program Index
- About The Program
- History Of The Program
- The Rotary Masters Program At UQ
- Program Outline
- International Studies At UQ
- Staff Research Interests
- Further Enquiries
About the Program
The University of Queensland's Rotary Program for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution is part of a global program to advance research, teaching, practical training and knowledge on issues of international relations, conflict resolution and peace-building. It offers a tailored Masters Degree, aimed at potential world and community leaders, designed to have a practical effect on addressing international and regional conflicts.
Recent international crises highlight the need for greater understanding of the political, economic and social factors that affect security and stability, as well as the tragic human costs involved in such conflicts. The renewed threat of insurgency and terrorism, humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, central Africa and the Balkans, and the dangers of nuclear exchange in South Asia all indicate that we need to develop greater expertise on alleviating such tensions and more effective strategies for promoting peace and stability.
There is also an urgent need to address such issues before they escalate: the cost of Australia's involvement in East Timor, for example, has been approximately one billion dollars. Amounts spent on conflicts and re-building efforts in other parts of the world amplify this figure enormously. Educational programs aimed at the peaceful resolution of disputes - seen as having long-term rather than immediate effects - and which cost a small fraction of such amounts can help to avoid the need for expensive peacekeeping operations and reconstruction costs. Training for mediation and peaceful solutions to conflicts or potential conflicts in our world is an investment in the future: stable, peaceful and prosperous nations will have a positive effect on global security relations.
History of the Program
Following an intensive international search by The Rotary Foundation, the University of Queensland was selected from over one hundred universities expressing interest in the establishment of a program for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution. The decision recognised the outstanding reputation of UQ's longstanding International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies programs. UQ's program is one of only six such programs worldwide, and one of only two in the Asia-Pacific region. Other programs are based at the University of California, Berkeley, USA; Duke University/University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA; Bradford University, Bradford, UK; the International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan and the Universidad Del Salvador, Beunos Aires, Argentina.
The Rotary Masters Program at the University of Queensland
Commencing in 2003, at least ten Rotary Peace Fellows each year will embark on a 18 month program of study at the School of Politics and International Studies. These Fellows - chosen through a highly competitive international selection procedure - will come from a range of backgrounds including government, the military forces, international organisations, journalism, teaching and business. The Fellows early- to mid-career and who upon returning to their home country will play an active leadership role in their respective field. In addition to key aspects of international relations and conflict resolution, Rotary Fellows will have the opportunity to study a wide range of elective topics. Fellows can supplement their major studies in these areas with a number of courses drawn from other Schools, including development, international law and education.
Program Outline
Required Courses:
- Advanced International Studies
Core Courses:
- Conflict Prevention and Resolution.
- Ethics and Human Rights
- Contemporary Peacekeeping
- Peacebuilding
- Gender in International Politics and Development
- Culture, Conflict and Reconciliations
Elective Courses (selection):
- International Security
- Arms Control and Disarmament
- Development Administration
- Globalisation, Internaitonal Political Economy and Development
- Theories of Dispute Resolution
- International Relations of the Asia-Pacfic
- Evolution of the International System
- Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and Statecradt
- Arms Control & Disarmament
- Mediation.
Thesis:
Following the completion of these courses, each Rotary World Peace Fellow will have the oppurtunity to submit a thesis of approximately 12,000 words. The thesis will be developed in close conjunction with each fellow's academic mentor.
Research Seminar:
Rotary World Peace Fellows will participate in the Rotary World Peace Fellows’ Seminar. The seminar topic will be directly related to contemporary problems of international relations, conflict resolution and peace.
Applied Field Work:
In line with their particular interests, students will also undertake an internship at a selected governmental or non-governmental agency during the summer holidays as part of their Masters Degree.
International Studies at UQ
The School of Political Science and International Studies at UQ is recognised as one of the best Schools in Australia. The research profile of its academic staff is well-established and internationally recognised. Staff have developed collaborative linkages with national research centres and policy-making bodies within Australia, as well as with various international research centres in Japan, South Korea, China, the Asean countries and Europe. Staff have worked with Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence, the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Stanford University's Institute for International Studies, and Singapore's Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies.
Staff Research Interests
- Dr Alex Bellamy - International peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, nationalism
- Dr Roland Bleiker - International relations theory, peace-building, conflict resolution, human security (Korea)
- Dr Richard Devetak - International relations and security
- Dr Marianne Hanson - International security, human rights, arms control
- Dr Christine Mason - Ethnic conflict, nationalism, gender studies, international law
- Ms Di Zetlin - Gender and politics, mediation
Future Enquiries
All enquiries should be directed to:
Ms Claire Pomery
Administrative Officer
Rotary Centre for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution
School of Political Science and International Studies
The University of Queensland
Brisbane QLD 4072
AUSTRALIA
Tel: + 61 7 3346 9544
Fax: + 61 7 3365 1388
Email: c.pomery@uq.edu.au
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