Georgetown University Students Learn About Post-Conflict Reconciliation
Date
4/13/2023 6:31:25 AM
(MENAFN) Seventeen students from Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) traveled to Nepal as part of the university's award-winning Zones of Conflict, Zones of Peace (ZCZP) experiential learning program. The program aims to provide students with a first-hand look at the complexity of post-conflict reconciliation and the power of dialogue to secure a brighter future.
During the eight-day trip, the students explored peace-building efforts in Nepal following the 2006 peace agreement that ended a decade-long conflict between the Nepalese government and a Maoist insurgency. The trip provided insight into the real-life people and places discussed in the three-credit “War and Migration in Nepal” course that is part of the ZCZP program at GU-Q, a QF partner.
The students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from civil society organizations, government officials, former insurgents, and scholars working on peacebuilding efforts. They also visited areas and communities affected by the conflict. For many of the students, the trip was a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in conflict resolution.
According to course instructor Zahra Babar, programs like ZCZP are key components of Georgetown's approach to experiential learning. The opportunity to engage with complex issues in a hands-on way is an incomparable educational experience that offers a far deeper understanding of the challenges facing communities affected by conflict.
Course co-instructor Dean Brendan Hill emphasized the value of a student-centered approach to learning. When future leaders and changemakers go beyond the classroom by connecting with people and communities, they gain cultural competency and a sense of social responsibility that inspires a commitment to working collaboratively towards a more just and equitable world.
Overall, the ZCZP program at GU-Q provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with complex global issues in a meaningful way. Through experiential learning, students are able to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing communities affected by conflict and develop the skills and knowledge needed to become effective leaders and changemakers. The program underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and dialogue in post-conflict reconciliation and the promotion of peace and stability around the world.
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