The online MA program in Sustainable Peace in the Contemporary World engages competent professionals and researchers to resolve pressing and complex global problems that concern humanity. Every course in the programme shares a commitment to ethics, fundamental human values, gender sensitivity, and multiculturalism. The content of the online MA moves from a study of the origins of conflict at the personal, local, internal, and international levels to the promotion and practice of peace. The programme discusses the responsibilities and capacities of all social sectors, including key political and economic institutions, as well as civil society and individuals, and their potential impact on the environmental and social aspects of peace and conflict. Skills for the maintenance of peace are emphasized throughout the programme, including analyzing and understanding the conflict from multiple perspectives. This is an interdisciplinary online programme, drawing on scholarship and methodologies from across academia. The complexities of today's world and the developments of the last thirty years in understanding peace and conflict demand an approach that crosses boundaries while seeking to create new progressions in the main field of study. All courses are well-integrated within the programme, bringing together modern theories, and concepts, in-depth case studies, best-practices from around the world, sound methodologies, and the valuable contributions of course-takers. Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students can begin the MA programme at the start of any new course, upon approval.... [-]

University for Peace (UPEACE) •UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE) •Oregon State University (OSU)

UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE), the University for Peace (UPEACE) and Oregon State University (OSU), institutions with a unique range of expertise, have jointly developed a new Master programme on Water Cooperation and Peace, which has been endorsed by UNESCO’s “From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential PCCP” programme.

Water management is conflict management. Regardless of the scale, ensuring that the needs of the people and ecosystems relying on this critical resource are met effectively, requires comprehensive understanding of both water science and water diplomacy, including dispute mitigation, management and resolution. To address these needs, the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, the University for Peace in Costa Rica, and Oregon State University in the USA, have embarked on a joint education programme in Water Cooperation and Peace. The goal of this new initiative is to broaden the discussion about conflict and peace and the factors that contribute to both, engage multi-level scales of conflict dimensions and strengthen skills by providing hands-on and interactive learning opportunities.... [-]

Our Master of Arts (MA) degree in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development emphasizes economic and management perspectives of peace while focusing on the concepts of sustainability and responsibility. Its creation was based on the belief that to better contribute to the promotion of sustainable peace, it is imperative to explore what role the economy plays in the world today and its impact on our environment and societies’ wellbeing. Issues of rural and urban poverty, growing inequalities and disparities, environmental degradation, financial crises, and globalization are challenging political-economic stability and social cohesion in all societies. Modern society faces the growing challenge of sustainability; finding solutions that will maintain and protect social systems for future generations. Students from the RMSED Program will become responsible managers with strong emphasis on sustainability that will be able to work in the corporate sector, public sector or social sector, both in industrialized and developing countries.... [-]

The Master of Arts Degree Programme in Peace Education seeks to develop and strengthen the knowledge, values and capacities of educators to build a peaceful world in all levels and dimensions of life. Through coursework, capstone project, independent research or internship experiences complemented with a unique and cooperative learning environment at UPEACE, students will be enhanced in their values formation, knowledge and skills essential to the contributions of formal and non-formal educators and institutions in analysing, resolving and transforming conflicts and violence towards a holistic culture of peace. The programme will provide both a critical understanding of the theoretical and conceptual foundations of peace education as well as engagement with a broad spectrum of critical, participatory and transformative pedagogies. Based on the work, programmes, projects and research of educational institutions and organizations, including schools, universities, UN agencies such as UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHCR and UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, local/international NGOs and other civil society organizations or institutions, students will explore how education is essential in promoting disarmament and nonviolence, local/global justice, intercultural and interfaith understanding, human rights, gender equality, sustainable futures and preventing or addressing emergencies arising from armed conflicts, natural disasters and health crises.... [-]

The IPS specialization in Media, Peace and Conflict Studies explores the informational context in which armed violence takes place and equips students with up-to-date tools and strategies to advocated for peace, justice, and sustainability through ethical media production, and to become informed and active global citizens of an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. Grounded in a solid understanding of peace and conflict theory, this program considers the many ways in which media has been used to propagate hostile attitudes and enemy images, as well as the long tradition of journalists, artists, and others who have sought to use media to hold the powerful accountable, challenge the status-quo, and to promote mutual understanding and coexistence.... [-]

The Master of Arts Degree Program in International Peace Studies provides an interdisciplinary and critical understanding and analysis of the causes and consequences of a wide range of contemporary conflicts and violence that impact on global, international and human security. Multiple sources and categories of violence to be explored include militarization, armed conflicts, “terrorism,” economic, social and gender injustices, cultural and religious identities, transnational organized crime and competition over environmental resources. Drawing on case studies and exemplars from diverse regions and societies, the program also examines strategies and organizational/institutional frameworks and mechanisms, including initiatives of the UN, other international/regional agencies and civil society organizations and movements, for resolving and transforming such conflicts and building peace at local, national, international and global levels.... [-]

The Master of Arts Degree Programme in Gender and Peace Building offers critical knowledge and training in gender studies, which is a crucial aspect of any and all peace efforts. The programme deals in depth with the diverse and international aspects of gender as they relate to violence, peace negotiations, peace building and peacekeeping in different locations on the planet. The programme also encompasses the many fields of knowledge in which gender plays a crucial role. The needs and interests of students and professionals are carefully considered in the design and implementation of the programme.

Our specialization in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) emerges from the understanding that we must urgently change our relationship to food production and consumption in order to move towards greater sustainability. It emphasizes that food systems comprise many parts and operate in complex social and agro-ecological contexts. Courses in this specialization train students to evaluate both the social and natural scientific aspects of food systems.

The specialization takes advantage of Costa Rica’s unique location by studying all facets of agriculture and food consumption, from the plantation-style production of export crops to local, organic and permaculture production systems. The UPEACE garden also serves as a fundamental part of the curriculum; it is integrated into existing courses and serves as a space for informal learning throughout the school year. This specialization prepares students to work as professionals in emerging food systems-related jobs in civil society organizations, governmental institutions, and international organizations.... [-]

Our specialization in Climate Change Policy addresses the complex relationship between climate change and security issues at the international, national and local levels. We operate with the understanding that environmental problems are closely linked to security issues, that climate change is one of the most significant environmental problems in the world today, and that the international community plays an essential role in governing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The specialization prepares students to work with organizations, both international and community-based, in climate change mitigation and adaptation policy formulation and project implementation, disaster risk reduction, as well as in the identification and management of conflicts arising from climate change-related factors.... [-]

Our specialization in Environmental Security and Governance is designed for those wishing to critically engage with issues concerning Global Environmental Change and Security. Impacts of Global Environmental Change on different levels of security are analyzed, namely national, human and ecological security, as well as linkages between environmental governance and peace and conflict. Inside this framework, this specialization looks at the potential role of natural resources in both contributing to conflicts and facilitating peacebuilding processes.

This specialization also analyzes different governance responses to global environmental change, engaging with ongoing debates concerning the underlying causes of environmental degradation. Courses in this specialization critically engage with the ways in which environmental issues are framed as security issues and the potential consequences of this approach for environmental governance. Students will gain insights into different institutional tools and practical techniques related to water, food, and other environmental conflict scenarios. Other topics include disaster risk reduction and environmental conflict management.... [-]

The specialization in Sustainable Natural Resource Management is primarily designed for those intending to engage in community-oriented work in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, or sustainable development. It emphasizes the enhancement of biodiversity for global life support systems and mitigation of conflicts that arise from development initiatives, natural resource disputes, and environmental degradation.

Graduates possess the needed skills and knowledge to work with governmental, civil society, and private sector organizations engaged in conservation and development programming, as well as to pursue advanced academic study in the social science of environmental management.The Programme involves two semesters of graduate coursework followed by completion of a thesis or internship tailored to the student’s specific interests.... [-]

The MA in Environment, Development, and Peace provides comprehensive training in issues of sustainable development, environmental governance, natural resource management, and environmental conflict management from both ecological and social perspectives. It encompasses a broad range of subjects and themes, including:

The MA in Environment, Development, and Peace (EDP) provides comprehensive training in issues of sustainable development, environmental governance, natural resource management, and environmental conflict management from both ecological and social perspectives. It encompasses a broad range of subjects and themes, including Food Systems, Water Management, Forestry, Coastal Resources, Climate Change, Urban Ecology and Social Movements.... [-]

ONLINE MA on Sustainable Peace in the Contemporary World

The online MA program on Sustainable Peace in the Contemporary World is intended to prepare competent professionals and researchers to be able to resolve pressing and complex global problems that are the concern of humanity, as well as to bring new approaches to old problems through various levels of analysis and action. Every course in this program shares a commitment to ethics, fundamental human values, gender sensitivity, and multiculturalism.

The content of the online MA moves from a study of the origins of conflict at the personal, local, internal, and international levels to the promotion and practice of peace. The program discusses the responsibilities and capacities of all social sectors, including key political and economic institutions, as well as civil society and individuals, and their potential impact on the environmental and social aspects of peace and conflict. Skills for the maintenance of peace are emphasized throughout the program, including analyzing and understanding the conflict from multiple perspectives.... [-]