Conflict Intervention Training as Strategic Convening: Lessons From Syria

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-303
Author(s):  
Tatsushi Arai

This article develops a framework of training design to intervene in active armed conflict. A case study of Syria presents a context of the inquiry. The concept of strategic convening is introduced to describe the kind of purposefully organised activities that bring conflict parties together from across lines of division. Strategic convening develops a safe, humanising social space that helps foster enabling conditions for conflict management and resolution. Building on a first-hand experience of conducting three workshops between 2014 and 2015 for Syrian humanitarian professionals, this study explores how to use training as a means to develop constructive human interaction when training offers a rare opportunity and incentive for people from different community and regional backgrounds to come together. This study builds on an action research project in which the researcher as a trainer interacted closely with training participants and identified patterns of their thinking about conflict management, coexistence, and reconciliation across multiple training sessions. Key findings include the critical roles of pragmatic conflict management skills as well as the skills for orchestrating coexistence amongst adversaries in an effort to secure access to humanitarian aid and development resources.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Fall 2018) ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
Vaitsa Giannouli

The intersection between bipolarity and creativity has been investigated in famous artists in painting, writing, music and other forms of art. One of the major achievements of Nikos Skalkottas is his imaginative approach to the twelve-note composition, which added another dimension to the early stages of the twelve-note method by making it as accessible as possible to the listener through the frequent harmonic and thematic repetition. Much has been written about Skalkottas’ atonal musical idiom, but less emphasis has been given on his psychopathol- ogy. In addition to a descriptive analysis of such data, a formal diagnosis exercise is attempted, and more specifically avoidant personality disorder and bipolar patterns of behavior are exam- ined through a review and discussion of biographies and personal correspondence. Significant evidence exists to support the existence of avoidant personality disorder and bipolar disorder II. The proposed origin of the overall bipolar pattern is attributed to several stressful environmen- tal factors in the form of interpersonal problems regarding the expressed emotion, life events, and paucity of stress-management skills. Skalkottas’ psychopathology was pivotal in shaping the quantity and quality of his music compositions, but the existence of unpublished and/or destroyed autobiographical evidence (letters, compositions) can’t be excluded. Undiscovered evidence may further assist in order to come closer to a posthumous diagnosis. The insight gained from this case study can be used to support that bipolar psychopathological patterns influence directly music composing activity.


Author(s):  
Susan EVANS

This case study explores the strategic business opportunities, for Lane Crawford, an iconic luxury department store, to transition in a circular economy towards sustainability. A new experimentation framework was developed and conducted among cross departmental employees, during a Design Lab, with intention to co-create novel Circular Economy business concepts towards a new vision: the later was a reframe of the old system based on the principles of sustainability; to move beyond a linear operational model towards a circular economy that can contribute to a regenerative society. This work draws on both academic and professional experience and was conducted through professional practice. It was found that innovative co-created concepts, output from the Design Lab, can create radical change in a circular economy that is holistically beneficial and financially viable; looking forward to extract greater value a)Internal organization requires remodeling to transform towards a circular economy; b)Requirement for more horizonal teams across departments vs solely vertical; c)New language and relationships are required to be able to transition towards a circular economy; d)Some form of physical and virtual space requirements, for cross-disciplinary teams to come together to co-create; e)Ability to iterate, learn and evolve requires agency across the business


1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heru Kurniawan

Literasi ekologi sosial Islam adalah interaksi manusia dengan lingkungan alam, teknologi, dan sosial yang didasarkan pada prinsip dasar Islam. Rekonstruksi literasi ekologi sosial Islam yang bisa direkonstruksi adalah prinsip dasar Islam yang menegaskan posisi manusia sebagai “pemimpin” yang diberi “amanah” untuk mengelola “bumi” atau “lingkungan alam dan sumber daya alam” sebaik-baiknya. Rekonstruksi literasi ekologis inilah yang kemudian akan diaktualisasikan pada masyarakat. Proses aktualisasi adalah kegiatan aktual dalam menanamkan kesadaran ekologi sosial Islam pada masyarakat yang mana dilakukan dalam ruang sosial keluarga, masyarakat, dan sekolah yang diorganisasi oleh negara melalui kebijakan dan peraturan per undang-undangan. Dengan proses rekonstruksi dan aktualisasi yang terstruktur ini, maka negara akan aktif membangun kesadaran ekologis sosial Islam dengan aktif dan terstruktur dengan baik guna mewujudkan basis kesadaran, ilmu pengetahuan, dan tata nilai ekologi sosial Islam pada masyarakat. Literacy on Islamic social ecology is the human interaction with the natural environment, technology, and social which is based on the basic principles of Islam. Reconstruction of literacy on Islamic social ecology that can be reconstructed is a basic tenet of Islam that affirms the human position as a "leader" by "mandate" to manage "Earth" or "natural environment and natural resources" as well as possible. Reconstruction of ecological literacy is then to be actualized in society. The process of actualization is actual activity in instilling awareness of the social ecology of Islam in the society which is done in the social space of families, communities, and schools organized by the state through policies and regulations. With the process of reconstruction and actualization, then the state will actively build social-ecological awareness of Islam in order to realize a base of awareness, knowledge, and values of Islamic social ecology in society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7916
Author(s):  
Martin Krajčovič ◽  
Gabriela Gabajová ◽  
Marián Matys ◽  
Patrik Grznár ◽  
Ľuboslav Dulina ◽  
...  

The article deals with the design of virtual reality (VR) interactive training as a teaching method and its effect on knowledge transfer and retention of students. The first part presents the methodology of the VR interactive training design. The second part utilizes the created interactive training for a case study to evaluate its effect on the teaching process and to examine the potential of VR interactive training as a sustainable teaching method. The study took place at the Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Žilina. Volunteers were divided into two groups. The first group used VR interactive training as a teaching method, while the second group used the conventional method. Both groups then underwent tests. The main goal was to evaluate the effect of the VR interactive training on the teaching process in comparison to the conventional method while trying to identify the key elements of the VR interactive training design and its influence on knowledge transfer and retention in a sustainable learning environment. At the start of the case study, four hypotheses were formed, questioning the effect of interactive training on knowledge transfer and retention in the long and short term, and its overall influence on the teaching process. Obtained data were then used to evaluate these hypotheses.


Author(s):  
Raffi Kamalian ◽  
Alice M. Agogino ◽  
Hideyuki Takagi

In this paper we review the current state of automated MEMS synthesis with a focus on generative methods. We use the design of a MEMS resonator as a case study and explore the role that geometric constraints and human interaction play in a computer-aided MEMS design system based on genetic algorithms.


2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Samuel

AbstractThe OSCE's mandate for early warning, conflict prevention, conflict management and post-conflict rehabilitation based on its approach to comprehensive security through its network of field offices is implemented on a daily basis. Constructive relations with a host country are an important factor in their success, yet not always easy to achieve. This article provides a case study of one endeavour to strengthen these relations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
Pihel Hunt ◽  
Äli Leijen ◽  
Marieke van der Schaaf

While there is now extensive research on feedback in the context of higher education, including pre-service teacher education, little has been reported regarding the use of feedback from teachers to other teachers. Moreover, literature on the potential advantages that the use of technology, for example electronic portfolios and learning analytics, has in improving feedback in the in-service workplace practices, is also sparse. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory case study was to explore how in-service teachers perceived the peer feedback they received and provided through a web-based electronic portfolio during a professional development course carried out in their workplace. Questionnaire and interview data were collected from 38 teachers who received feedback through a learning analytics enhanced electronic portfolio and from 23 teachers who received feedback only by the electronic portfolio. Additionally, one individual and four focus group interviews were conducted with 15 teachers who were the feedback providers. Several common topics were identified in the interviews with the feedback receivers and providers, involving the benefits and challenges of human interaction and the flexibility of the feedback process that the electronic portfolio offered. The results also revealed better feedback experience within the group of teachers who received extra feedback by means of learning analytics. It is concluded that although an electronic portfolio provides a useful tool in terms of flexibility in the provision and receipt of feedback, the need for human interaction was acknowledged.


Author(s):  
O. Minina

The aim of the research was to develop and implement a teachers training master degree program with active integration of soft skills at all the stages to form students’ system and critical thinking, project management skills, teamwork and leadership, communication and cross-cultural interaction skills. To solve these problems, the program included specialized practice-orientated courses based on the principles of pedagogical ergonomics and the latest technologies (ball-rating system, workshop, case study, “agile” principle, pedagogical situations’ modeling and others). The research resulted is a unique, effective and validated program and a set of training materials to develop universal competencies of master degree students.


Author(s):  
Karen M. Koner ◽  
Abigayle Weaver

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of mindfulness practices on high school band students. This action research project took place in spring 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders. Four students enrolled in the high school band participated in five weeks of mindfulness practice interventions over the virtual format alongside their instrumental music director. Mindfulness practices included diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation imagery, cued relaxation, and stretching. Throughout the five weeks, student participants discussed improved focus, improvement of stress management, and increased frequency of mindfulness practice. However, four months after data collection was complete, three of the four student participants continued to practice mindfulness techniques on their own time to assist with nervousness, anxiety, and stress.


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