Ústav mezinárodních vztahů

Informace

"Reaching out to the Other: Overcoming Intercultural Conflicts"

The program is available here.

The conference discussed the possibility of overcoming of intercultural conflicts, and in particular, it focused on diverse methods of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. It highlighted the importance of dialogue and communication for the transformation, de-escalation and potential resolution of political and armed conflicts. The event provided a platform for representatives of diplomatic delegations and international organizations who are involved in mediation and conflict resolution, as well as academics and NGO experts.

The event was divided into three main parts:

The first panel, Transforming Conflict Through Mediation was dedicated to immediate reaction to conflict. The speakers focused on their experience with mediation and de-escalation of intercultural conflicts or their research on the issue. The panel provided a space for discussion on the role and practices of mediation between conflicting parties and the potential of the conflict transformation.

The second panel offered perspectives on conflict resolution from the point of view of the Islamic world.
                                                                
The third panel, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding focused on longer-term possibilities of conflict resolution and the building of a productive dialogue between opposing parties. In this panel, the role of education and its importance in long-term peacebuilding and experiences with restoring trust in the post-conflict societies were discussed.

Recordings from the 2018 "Reaching Out to the Other: Overcoming Intercultural Conflicts" conference:

Opening Remarks

Chair:

• Ondřej Ditrych, Director of the Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic

Speakers:   

• Lukas Kaucky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
• Faisal A. bin Muaammar, Secretary General of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Austria
• Mohammed Said al-Mamari, advisor to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the United Arab Emirates
• Israr Hussain, Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of Pakistan

First Panel – Transforming Conflict Through Mediation

Our guests share their unique views and perspectives on intercultural mediation and on the importance of various elements to conflict resolution. We learn of the importance of understanding one's own culture, of having mediation on all levels of a conflict, of women's important and increasing role in conflict mediation, and of various case studies in intercultural conflict mediation.

Chair:

• Tereza Jermanová, Assistant Professor at Charles University and Research Fellow at the Association for International Affairs, Czech Republic

Speakers:

• Jaroslav Franc, Professor at Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
• Lenka Aldorf, Diplomat at the United Nations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
• Annette Weber, Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Berlin, Germany

Second Panel – Perspectives From the Islamic World

This panel provides a unique perspective on intercultural dialogue and conflict prevention. Hearing the views of Islamic academics on this topic is important for a well-rounded understanding of intercultural dialogue. Topics explored include the challenges faced in the Islamic world, case studies in intercultural conflict prevention based on indigenous methods seen in certain Islamic countries, the history and teachings of tolerance in Islam, and the cross-section between culture and religion.

Chair:

• Anita Grmelová, Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic

Speakers:

• Talha Köse, Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science at Ibn Haldun University, Turkey
• Dadi Darmadi, Senior Lecturer at the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta, Indonesia
• Masood Akhtar Hazarvi, Director of the Al-Hira Educational and Cultural Centre at Luton
• Afzal Chaudhary, Chairman of the Search Peace Foundation, United Kingdom

Third Panel – Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

The third panel focused on longer-term possibilities of conflict resolution and the building of a productive dialogue between opposing parties. In this panel, the role of education and its importance in long-term peacebuilding and experiences with restoring trust in the post-conflict societies were discussed.

Chair:

• Oldřich Bureš, Professor at Metropolitan University Prague, Czech Republic

Speakers:

• Augustin Nicolescou, Head of Conflict Transformation at the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution
• George Emile Irani, Professor at the American University of Kuwait
• Rudi Sukandar, Senior Fellow at the Habibie Center and Senior Lecturer at the London School of Public Relations, Jakarta, Indonesia
• Karel Čada, Professor at Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Closing Remarks

The speakers touch on the importance of diversity, education, open-mindedness and dialogue in keeping peoples around the world together in peace. They praise the efforts of the Institute of International Relations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in organizing the conference and thank all those attending for listening to the ideas and thoughts conveyed. They address a message of gratitude to the 2018 OIC conference.

Speakers:

• Cecep Herawan, Director-General for Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
• Pavel Klucký, Director of the Middle Eastern Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
• Jan Daniel, Senior Researcher at the Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic

All the video recordings from the conference as well as additional short interviews with some of the guest speakers can be found here.