NEWS

Two UNC scholars among 30 worldwide studying how to stop regional conflicts

CHAPEL HILL -- Why do nations go to war? And why do the same sorts of issues cause conflicts in some countries or regions while others handle them peacefully?

Answering these questions, and recommending how to prevent conflicts, will be the task of 30 scholars from around the world who were chosen recently for the latest initiative of the Fulbright Scholar Program, the New Century Scholars Program.

New Century, now in its second of a three-year pilot phase, is the first in the Fulbright’s 56 years to group scholars from various disciplines to collaborate on a single topic of international concern. This year’s topic is "Addressing Sectarian, Ethnic and Cultural Conflict Within and Across National Borders."

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the only institution represented with two professors among the 30 chosen late last year for the 2002-2003 program – and among 10 chosen from the United States.

Dr. James Peacock, an anthropology professor and director of the University Center for International Studies, will study the vision and practice of seven Rotary Peace Centers worldwide – one is hosted by the center he directs and by neighboring Duke University – concerning international relations, peace and conflict resolution. He also will continue his work in Southeast Asia on policies that unify multiple cultural groups including Islamic groups.

Dr. Anthony Oberschall, professor emeritus of sociology, will research continuing strife in Northern Ireland, where he will conduct research from May to July. "He will research whether shared sovereignty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is a feasible and acceptable mode of power sharing governance in Northern Ireland following three decades of violence known as "The Troubles." This is his third Fulbright.

"This program moves Fulbright toward directly addressing a world issue, peace and conflict," Peacock said. "No magical solution is likely, but research and creative proposals will come from the 30 scholars representing many countries and perspectives."

After a goal-setting meeting last month, the scholars will scatter across the globe from now through December, with a group conference in person or via technology this summer, said Micaela Iovine of the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, a government- and foundation-funded agency that administers the Fulbright program.

American scholars will visit other countries among the 140 that participate in the Fulbright program; the other 20 will visit the United States. None will research the current conflict in Iraq. During a final group seminar in Washington, D.C., in November, they will present their findings publicly and make recommendations.

UNC’s Oberschall plans to interview political leaders, civil servants, academics, media and opinion leaders in Northern Ireland, Dublin and London, looking at topics ranging from taxation to policing, "to find out whether shared sovereignty can be made feasible and acceptable to the peoples of Northern Ireland," he said. In this model, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland would share sovereignty over Northern Ireland.

"In some situations, the core conflict is about national/ethnic identity and statehood," he said. "Neither group wants to be a minority in one state when it could be a majority in another state. This conflict is a complex web of identity, territoriality, security, justice and statehood."

In Southeast Asia, Peacock will interview citizens and leaders about policies and practices relating to multiple cultural and religious groups: Islamic, Christian and Buddhist, from various ethnicities. His work with the Rotary Peace Centers will explore approaches to training for addressing conflicts among such groups.

The Fulbright Scholar Program is funded by Congress and participating governments and institutions, and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Begun in 1947 by the late U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, the program seeks to further international understanding and cultivate peace through academic exchanges. Until New Century Scholars began last year, all Fulbright grants were for individuals conducting their own research projects.

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Contact: L.J. Toler, 919-962-8589, laura_toler@unc.edu