UWM's Partnership in Sustainability and Peacebuilding
The Partnership in Sustainability and Peacebuilding (PSP) is dedicated to furthering the theory and practice of using systemic approaches to peacebuilding as a means to achieve sustainable human security. The Partnership supports the implementation of holistic and interdisciplinary approaches through research, practice, outreach, and the coordination of a new professional master's degree, the interdisciplinary Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding (MSP).
Linking Sustainability and Peacebuilding
Sustainability has evolved over the last 40 years from early ideas of steady-state resource management toward concepts of dynamic social-ecological systems. Addressing the problems of sustainability, resilience, and vulnerability of the ecosystem services upon which society depends will require new policy frameworks that are capable of adaptive learning. The more modern concept of sustainability thus embraces not only the "Three Pillars" (People, Planet, Prosperity), but also social-ecological resilience - the capacity to cope with complexity and adjust to unexpected changes. Over this same time period, peacebuilding as a practice has expanded from being primarily conflict resolution oriented to also addressing related issues such as development, democracy, food security, health, and genocide prevention. Peacebuilding today is integral to a wide array of social change organizations, including the United Nations, the United States Armed Forces, and international NGOs (AfP, 2012).
Sustainability and peacebuilding efforts that work to improve problems of human security and development require insights and actions from diverse disciplines, such as public health, rule of law, business, security sector reform, conflict resolution and transformation, development, etc. However, the realities of working in complex societies means that no one of these disciplines can be as effective on its own as it can be through working in concert with each other.
Degree Programs
A Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding (MSP) degree will be offered by the College of Letters and Science beginning in the 2014/2015 academic year. More information will be available soon on the forthcoming MSP degree page regarding curriculum and how to apply.
Events and Activities
Borders, Boundaries, and Peace 2013: February 28 and March 1, 2013, the Partnership in Sustainability and Peacebuilding at UWM co-sponsored and hosted the annual conference for the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. This year's theme was "Borders, Boundaries, and Peace," with keynote addresses from UWM's Center for Water Policy Director, Dr. Jenny Kehl; UWM's Zilber School of Public Health Dean, Dr. Magda Peck; the Alliance for Peacebuilding's President and CEO, Melanie Greenberg; and UWM's Provost, Dr. Johannes Britz. Conference details on the conference website.
Dynamical Systems Innovation Lab: July 8-12, 2013, Sheboygan, WI. Invite only. Experienced scholar-practitioners working with complexity science, conflict and peace will come together for a five day workshop to share leading-edge ideas, methods and practices in order to inspire and support collaborative work in this area moving forward. White paper/report to follow.
Please contact the Coordinator, Bridget Brown (brownbn@uwm.edu), if you are interested in learning more about this program.
Made possible with support from the J.M. Kohler Foundation and the Underwood Foundation
