Seminar on Role of the Mediation in Conflict Resolution, IDSK Hall, Kolkata, 22 November, 2022
This seminar explores how a conflict area complicates the situation of the total geo-political zone and the process to overcome it. There is an elaborate preparation to construct communal hatred among the people. Combating such hatred this seminar demands a counter preparation to ensure peace and co-existence. AAMRA model of conflict resolution as working under ‘Peace Centres’, making ‘Peace Volunteers’ and ‘Cultural Activism’ was also discussed.
Seminar on ‘Role of the Mediation in Conflict Resolution’
Seminar Hall, IDSK; 22 November, 2022
There is an elaborate preparation to construct communal hatred among the people. Combating such hatred this seminar demands a counter preparation to ensure peace and co-existence. It is puzzling to see that such endeavours that can forestall communalism are largely missing.
We had such stalwart leaders like M K Gandhi taking up the challenge. Similarly, in later periods we have seen parallel endeavours by sensible people like Gourkishore Ghosh and Pradyumna Bhattacharyya. Such tradition is disappearing fast. AAMRA Ek Sachetan Prayas tries to fill such a vacuum through their relentless effort to document the violent events and attempts for peace restoration.
As a part of the continuous endeavour, AAMRA and Institute of Development Studies Kolkata (IDSK) is organising this seminar on "The role of mediation in conflict resolution" on 22nd November 2022 at 3pm at IDSK seminar hall near Rabindra Okakura Bhavan, Salt Lake. The speakers to this seminar are Irfan Engineer, Director, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), Mumbai and Prof. Achin Chakrabarti, Director, Institute of Development Studies Kolkata (IDSK), Kolkata. The programme was anchored by Prof. Amitava Sengupta, Researcher in Psychology and a member of AAMRA Ek Schetan Prayas Forum. Subha Protim Roy Chowdhury focussed on ‘AAMRA Model’ of conflict resolution. Peace centres on both sides of Hooghly River now work with the riot-affected folks, he added. Mohit Ranadip pointed out cultural activism as a way to combat communal polarization and communal politics. AAMRA is also working on it, he elaborated on different events.
Feedbacks
· Researchers and activists took part in the interactive session. Participants and meeting delegates engaged with each other through this session.
· Bhumika Bhattacherya, researcher and engaged with our activities at Bengal Peace Centre, Bhatpara asked about the need of mediation in Bhatpara area. Her expression after the seminar was, ‘this is a cognitive and sensible session for me’. Vijay Rajak and Md. Inasuddin, another frontrunner of the peace process also took part.
Output
· AAMRA, IDSK and CSSS is going to start a course on Conflict resolution. This seminar became a first step towards our goal.
· IDSK is one of the leading research centres in Kolkata conducting research in academic and field level on socio-economic studies. AAMRA had experience working with them on environmental issues. This time our joint initiative can start a new dimension on communalism and the peace building process.
