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Call for Papers Theme: Living Together in Peace and Harmony Type: 4th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Institution: International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation (ICERM) Location: New York, NY (USA) Date: 31.10.–2.11.2017 Deadline: 9.6.2017 __________________________________________________ Contrary to the popular belief that conflict, violence, and war are biologically and intrinsically part of the human nature, history teaches us that at different times and places human beings, irrespective of their faith, ethnicity, race, ideology, social class, age and gender, have always created innovative ways of living together in peace and harmony both as individuals and as groups. While some of the approaches for peaceful coexistence are developed by individuals, a greater part is inspired by and collectively learned from the rich teachings inherent in the different domains of our social systems - family, culture, religion, education, and socio-political system. The positive values embedded in the fabrics of our societies are not only learned by the members of the society, most importantly, they are commonly utilized to build bridges of peace and harmony, resulting in the prevention of conflict. When conflict emerges, however, individuals and groups with existing bridges of peace and harmony, prior healthy relationships, and a willingness to collaborate can deal with their conflict and find a mutually satisfactory solution to the issues in conflict through a collaborative, win-win, or integrative approach. Similarly, and against the proposition that societies divided along ethnic, racial, religious or sectarian lines are inevitably prone to chaos and violent conflict, or that relationships involving people of different ethnicities, races, and faiths are susceptible to eternal conflict and failure, a careful study of these societies and relationships reveals, confirms and supports the scientific assertion about the magnetic force of attraction which states that magnets are attracted by their opposite poles - the north (N) and south (S) poles - just as the positive (+) and negative (−) electrical charges attract each other to produce light. However, most skeptics and pessimists who doubt the possibility of living together in peace and harmony in ethnically, racially, or religiously divided societies and countries may cite the numerous examples of cultural misunderstanding, discrimination, segregation, racism, bigotry, conflict, hate crime, violence, war, terrorism, mass murder, ethnic cleansing, and even genocide that have occurred in the past and are currently occurring in many polarized countries around the world. Thus, and in scientific terms, human beings have been regrettably presented with a false assumption that opposite poles repel each other and only like poles attract each other. This assumption which is currently spreading in many countries around the world is dangerous. It leads to the dehumanization of the “other”. Therefore, it needs to be corrected immediately before it is too late. The 4th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding seeks to inspire and coordinate a global effort to humanize humanity by providing a platform and an opportunity for a pluridisciplinary, scholarly, and meaningful discussion on how to live together in peace and harmony, especially in ethnically, racially, or religiously divided societies and countries. Through this pluridisciplinary scholarly encounter, the conference hopes to stimulate inquiries and research studies that draw on knowledge, expertise, methods, and findings from multiple disciplines to address a broad range of problems that inhibit the ability of humans to live together in peace and harmony in different societies and countries, and at different times and in different or similar situations. Interested researchers, theorists, and practitioners from any fields of study, including the natural sciences, social sciences, behavioral sciences, applied sciences, health sciences, humanities and arts, and so on, are encouraged to submit abstracts and / or full papers for presentation at the conference. Guidelines for Paper Submission All abstracts and papers for presentation at the 4th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding must focus on how to live together in peace and harmony. Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research studies are accepted. Case studies, lessons learned, success stories and best practices from academics, practitioners, religious leaders, business leaders or entrepreneurs, artists, law enforcement or military, and policymakers are also accepted. In addition to papers for presentation, interested artists and musicians are invited to submit entries on their artistic works such as music, paintings, poems, or any artistic works that highlight how humans can live together in peace and harmony. Also, this conference wants to shed light on how interracial, interethnic, interreligious, inter-sectarian, or international couples are living together in peace and harmony in different parts of the world. Therefore, couples who are currently enjoying any of these types of mixed marriages are invited to submit abstract and / or full paper that describes how they have succeeded in building a healthy marriage relationship and family irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Accepted papers are those that include a narration of lessons learned and best practices for living together in peace and harmony. Researchers, theorists, and practitioners working on mixed marriages and families are also invited to submit abstract and / or full paper on this topic. Proposal for a Panel: Researchers, theorists, and practitioners can submit a joint proposal for a special panel discussion on any topics focusing on how humans can live together in peace and harmony. Papers for presentation must be between 3,500 and 4,000 words, submitted with 300-350 word abstracts, and a biography of no more than 50 words. Authors can send their 300-350 word abstracts before submitting the full paper. Abstract Submission Deadline is Friday, June 9, 2017. For further information, please visit the conference website: https://www.icermediation.org/featuredevents/2017-annual-international-conference-on-ethnic-and-religious-conflict-resolution-and-peacebuilding/ Contact: Basil Ugorji International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation 11 W. Prospect Avenue, 3rd Floor Mount Vernon, NY 10550 USA Email: ic...@icermediation.org __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/interphil@list.polylog.org/ __________________________________________________
