Workshops

 23.01.2024: PACS intern: Online Info Event Erasmus Traineeship (in German)

  • On January 23 at 4pm, the Office for Erasmus Traineeships will be hosting an online Info-Event about Erasmus internships abroad for International students..

  • Info and registration here.
  • Important information for internationals! There will be a session in English on December 19, 2023, 4:00-6:00 pm.

     

 

 13.12.2023: AUKA-PACS Talks / WISE 2023/2024 / Lecture and Workshop on the Intersections of Gender and Violence in Kygyzstan

  • The lecture provides an overview on the current state of gender inequality in Kyrgyzstan. The workshop aims to facilitate a more in-depth conversation about potential strategies for addressing and preventing gender-based violence in the area, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss other questions which arise from the lecture.
  • More information in the link

 

 

14.06.2023: AUKA-PACS Talks / SOSE 2023 / Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Dispute

  • After the fall of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan became independent states and maintained the borders established under Stalin's rule in the 1920s. This led to significant political and socio-economic changes for both countries. However, during the process of border delineation, issues arose due to the symbolic nature of the borders drawn during Soviet times. Under the Soviet system, Kyrgyz and Tajik communities had shared access to natural resources based on state-backed property rights. The lack of clarity in the border lines after 1991 has since then resulted in interethnic tensions, violent outbreaks, and ongoing disputes between the two countries over access to resources such as water for irrigation and pasture land.

Guest lecturers from the American University of Central Asia will give a lecture and a workshop. The lecture will provide an overview on the conflict with a particular focus on its impact on the Kyrgyz society. The workshop serves to engage in a deeper discussion on possible ways for conflict resolution in the area and gives space to discuss other questions which arise from the lecture.

  • More information in the link

 

 

15.09.2022: Popular Culture and World Politics v13: New (A)venues [15-16 September 2022]

  • While the images of war are unfolding on our screens and a war of images is taking place with the invasion of Ukraine, we realize again how important it is to take popular culture seriously. How certain ideas that make war possible, such as militarized masculinity, are being crafted, but also resisted. Luckily, there are also many examples that show the importance of the power of the popular as a tool for resistance to an oppressive order, whether it is the Black Lives Matter street art or collages denouncing feminicide and transphobic violence. Indeed, popular culture should not only be recognized as source of comfort in difficult and confined times. Popular culture is a powerful tool of contestation and emancipation.
  • More information in the link

 

 

14.09.2022: Humour & Politics Workshop 2022 in Magdeburg [14-15 September]

  • Social Sciences and other disciplines recently discovered the funny side of politics as topic worthy of scientific attention. The trend of using strategic humour in political communication, campaigns or attacks of adversaries is of special interest, especially in times of uncertainty, crisis and autocratization. Humour has for a long time been associated with resistance and being a weapon of the weak and therefore, often positive characteristics are ascribed to it. While it has previously been seen as revolutionary it is increasingly seen as counter-revolutionary due to its disincentivising and camouflaging effects. For example, researchers have become increasingly interested in strategies involving satire and comedy which play a key role in the transformation of the public sphere and the self-representation of new authoritarian and populist leaders ascribed to. Others have started looking at the role of emotions in humour used by political leaders, movements and parties. Overall, the workshop wishes to contribute to this increased interest by bringing together papers which examine the (new) role and function of humour in public culture and politics.
  • More information in the link

 

Some of The Past Events

 

 

20.05.2017: PACS Students at the Long Night of Science 2017 in Magdeburg (only available in German)

Am 20. Mai verwandelte sich Magdeburg wieder in einen Hort des Wissens. Unter dem Motto „Unsere Umwelt nachhaltige Ideen für morgen“ haben sich wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen Wissensangebote für die großen und kleinen Besucher/innen ausgedacht.

Auch die Friedens- und Konfliktforscher/innen waren dabei! Unser Professor für Nachhaltigkeit Michael Böcher teilte seine Einsichten in einem kleinen Vortrag zum Thema „Postfaktische Politik und praxisferne Wissenschaft? Warum es in der Nachhaltigkeit und beim Klimaschutz nicht vorangeht“, dem ca. 40 Besucher/innen lauschten. Danach konnten Besucher/innen das Klimawandelspiel der FKF-Studierenden mitmachen.  Mehr

 

 

27./28.10.2016: 'Let’s Negotiate! - UN Simulation of the Climate Change Conference' (only available in German)

Ende Oktober versammelten sich Staatsoberhäupter, Minister und Ministerinnen in Magdeburg, um über die Zukunft der internationalen Klimapolitik zu entscheiden. Es waren zähe Verhandlungen, vor allem zwischen den USA und China; das Ergebnis ist eine kurze Resolution, in der sich einige Staaten zu einer verbindlichen Reduktion von Kohlenstoffdioxid verpflichten.

Falls Sie sich wundern, warum Sie davon nichts mitbekommen haben: Es handelte sich dabei um eine Simulation an der Otto-von-Guericke Universität in Magdeburg. Studierende schlüpften nicht nur in die Rollen von Staatsvertretern und vertreterinnen, sondern spielten auch UN-Mitarbeiterinnen und den noch amtierenden UN-Generalsekretär Ban Ki-Moon. Mehr

 

 

04./05.05.2012: Practical Training 'The Comprehension of the Roles of Conflict Researchers and Peace Workers'

Many graduates of the Master's program in Peace and Conflict Research expects a career in the civil conflict. The personality is highly demanded in this job profile, and they do not only need to have the theoretical knowledge applied constructively, but also to be aware of their own role and the inherent responsibility as researchers or practitioners. The two-day hands-on course "the roles of conflict researchers" on the 4th and 5th May 2012, funded by DAAD and Organized by the Peace Researcher Felix Koltermann, raised the awareness of the students for their own central role in conflict situations. (more information in german)

 

 

22./23.06.2012: UN Simulation 'Negotiate or bomb - Tackling with civil war' -  A peace plan for Rosania

A total of 23 participants from the Master's programs of Peace and Conflict Studies and European Studies, got involved in a two-day trial with the depicted conflict scenario. In the roles of internal and external political actors as well as an international mediator group it was necessary to apply negotiation strategies and techniques of mediation and review policies of peacekeeping on their practical applicability in conflict situations. In two separate committees there were formal rounds of negotiations on security issues such as ceasefire or deployment of an international force as well as political issues such as constitutional law or the rights of minorities.

The simulation game was a closing session and the highlight of the course "Conflict in the Middle East", which was offered in the summer semester under the direction of Dr. Miao-Ling Hasenkamp. It gave students the unique opportunity to experience conflicts from an internal perspective and get an action oriented approach to the otherwise theoretically mediated expertise. For the organization and implementation of the simulation for the umpteenth time, the plan was provided from policy GmbH Berlin, specialized for six years in the alignment of business games in the fields of politics, economy and science, which became a worldwide reputation. More 

 

 

11./12.02.2011: UN Simulation 'Water Conflict' - UN Simulation performed with great success and positive feedback

Fiction and reality are sometimes quite close to each other: Two rivers, whose water supply through the primary industry of several countries stands or falls. The resource is already scarce, but no state bordering accepted reductions in private consumption. Old hostilities and an unbalanced power relationship make the situation even more difficult, which could escalate at any time. - This sounds like the current situation in Central Asia, but it is not. What it is - a simulation game on "water conflict" that on the 11th and 12th February 2011 was held at the OvGU.

16 students of the Master program Peace and Conflict Studies (FKF) took on the roles of five fictitious States and a Commission. Under enormous time pressure, it was hard to find a fair solution for all parties, and at the same time a sustainable approach to water issues. The difficulties of the situation were very clear to the students, bringing the two-day negotiations, not only once to the brink of failure. Thanks to productive negotiation strategies, intensive discussions and last but not least a high willingness to compromise, the parties managed to reach an agreement at the end. Positive feedback and learning were also result of the final evaluation. These are the expectations that the initiator Dr. Miao-ling Hasenkamp and course director Professor Karl-Peter Fritzsche want to use for future projects of this kind for the FKF International Relations at the Department. The simulation was the first of its kind to be offered for the course with the assistance of external experts: The Berlin-based company policy plan, which is well-known for its simulation games. The workshop was funded by the DAAD.

 

 

28.03. - 01.04.2011: UN Simulation MUIMUN 2011 - 'Shape today - change tomorrow'

On March 28 - April 1 Maxim and Aikokul from our FKF-MA-Study-Programme (Jg. 2009) have participated in one of the famous UN simulation model in Münster/Westfalen, where "the Treaty of Westphalian Peace" of 1648 was signed. The so-called MUIMUN (Münster University International Model United Nations) took place for the fifth time and has gained considerable reputation for training students of political science for the practice of their knowledge and skills. In this simulation model students assume the roles of the official representatives of different countries to the United Nations and debate the current issues on the UN's agenda. Under the motto "Shape Today - Change Tomorrow", students from different countries and of different cultural backgrounds have arranged and negotiated effectively and skillfully for the maintenance of the national interests involved and thus achieved the best learning effects through intensive discussions and exchanges.

Together with more than 200 other students from different parts of the world, Maxim and Aikokul had the chance to experience first-hand decision-making processes and diplomatic work at the United Nations. The topic of this year was "Humanity vs. Greed - A Roadmap to Global Accountability". The MUIMUN has successfully simulated the work of such UN bodies as ECOSOC, Security Council, General Assembly, GA2, GA3, GA6, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and CEPAL. Among the agendas discussed were the climate change and international security, establishing food security for post war areas, permanent sovereignty over natural resources in politically unstable areas and many other issues relevant for real UN agenda. During the MUIMUN week, thousands of arguments were hotly debated, hundreds of pages of working papers were written, dozens of amendments were discussed, many hard issues were solved. At the closing ceremony the delegates with best performance were awarded.

Besides the official sessions full of endless debates, complicated rules of procedures, exhausting discussions of position papers, hard decision-making and voting, several interesting social events, priceless exchange experience, amazing ideas and new friendships have left the MUIMUN week an unforgettable event for all participants. For example, during the "Global Village" event, the delegates have presented best pieces of their own culture (traditional food, ornamentation and costumes) into the fancy atmosphere of the night club. During the event "MUIMUN meets experts 2011" the participants were offered nine different workshops, held by renowned specialists from across the social scientific landscape.

It is worth mentioning, that MUIMUN is an event organized 100% by students themselves. For one week the students performed and changed their roles from ordinary citizen, ambassadors and to officials of the UN - a great opportunity to apply their own skills and lots of fun, at the same time posing great challenges for the participants. Maxim and Aikokul would like to share their unique learning experience in Münster and strongly recommend everyone to join the MUIMUN week next year.

 

 

25.03. - 01.04.2009: Alumni Seminar 'Promoting Peace in Central Asia and Caucasus: Conflict Transformation and Confidence Building' March 25 - April 1, 2009 / Baku, Azerbaijan

The DAAD Alumni Seminar was organized at the initiative of FKF Alumni, Ziya Gaziyev from Azerbaijan and Khushbakht Hojiev from Tajikistan, together with University of Bonn, Qafqaz University of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Youth Euro-Atlantic Organization. It provided a unique opportunity to discuss questions of conflict transformation and confidence building measures, by bringing together young professionals and experts from Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus. The project was sponsored by the DAAD.

 

 

 

 

Last Modification: 17.01.2024 - Contact Person: Webmaster