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United States Institute of Peace

Media and Arts for Peace

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Media and the Arts for Peace is an online, self-paced course designed and delivered in partnership with the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP). This course explores the impact of mainstream media, digital/social media, and the arts – live art, street art, music, dance, film and theater, etc. – on peace.

Course Overview

Participants learn how these various media have been engaged to enrich public discourse, highlight civic responsibility and social justice, and tell the stories behind every conflict – stories that can be used to either dehumanize or humanize a conflict and the people behind it. Participants in this training will be able to:

  • Describe different art-based approaches to peacebuilding
  • Explain the scientific theories supporting the role of media and the arts in peacebuilding
  • Consider both positive and negative impacts of media and arts in conflict
  • Think strategically about how to apply media and the arts in preventing violence and building peace

Agenda

Chapter 1: Why Media and Arts for Peace

This chapter answers why media and the arts contribute to peacebuilding by defining conflict, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, media and the arts. We explore the role of human psychology and neuroscience in relation to peacebuilding, media and the arts.

Chapter 2: Strategies for Peace: Creativity and Storytelling

This chapter outlines the important role of creativity, culture and storytelling in peacebuilding. We explore how the strategy behind storytelling can either foment violence or foster peace.

Chapter 3: Media and the Arts for Conflict Prevention

This chapter looks at the role of media and the arts in fostering a culture of peace, preventing violent conflict, and nonviolent civil resistance.

Chapter 4: Media and the Arts During Violent Conflict

This chapter looks at the role of media and the arts during conflict. Specifically is explores how the media and arts can and have been used in transforming conflict, countering violent extremism, documenting human rights violations, and preserving cultural heritage.

Chapter 5: Media and the Arts in Post-Conflict Settings

This chapter looks at the role of media and arts in post-conflict settings. Specifically, we explore how media and arts can and have been used in reconciliation processes, transitional justice, memorialization, and trauma healing.

Chapter 6: Moving Forward into the Future

This chapter explores how advances in technology and communication are providing both challenges and opportunities for the peacebuilding field.

Course Instructors and Guest Experts

Instructor

Guest Experts

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