Art Games Celebrating 50 years of Peace Studies
Image photograph: Sara Downham-Lotto Collaborative Peace Buildings
This year, the University of Bradford celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the founding of the School of Peace Studies in 1973, that was generously supported by the Quaker Peace Studies Trust (QPST). The conference provided a chance to reflect on key challenges and priorities for major contemporary and emerging issues for Peace Studies researchers and advocates. A number of flagship events formed part of the Golden Jubilee celebration that took place from 6th to 9th June. Events included:
- Lecture by Professor Michael Woolcock, The World Bank and Harvard Kennedy School
- The 27th Bradford Development Lecture by Professor Pranab Bardhan of University of California, Berkeley
- The 4th Adam Curle Lecture by Madam Nozizwe Mdala Routledge, Director of Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva
- Several parallel panel discussion sessions
- Alumni workshops
- The Tolstoy cup football match
The University of Bradford was the UK’s first school of Peace Studies. Over the past 50 years, the university has established itself as a proud pioneer in the field.
The department is a community that believes that study, research and practical application of knowledge can enable us to build a fairer, more peaceful and sustainable world. Over the last half-century, University of Bradford academics have lent their expertise to organisations, including the UK Government, United Nations Peacekeeping and NATO. They have worked alongside peacekeepers in conflicts including Israel-Palestine, the Balkan Wars and the Iraq War. And they have been instrumental in supporting grassroots peace movements.
Today the Department of Peace Studies and International Development offers eight master’s programs, one undergraduate program and a vibrant PhD program. Its alumni has gone on to do incredible work all over the world.
As a department alumnus, Sara was invited to run one of her Visual Arts for Peace workshops. In Collaborative Peace Buildings, Sara guided participants in interactive and fun activities encouraging them to think differently about what it means to be peacebuilders in an era of growing global complexity. Encouraging holistic, creative and collaborative approaches to conflict transformation and peace education, they played games using eyes, hands, and, above all, imagination and metaphor to assemble decorated cards into 2D and 3D compositions and structures.
‘Sara’s warm, open and enthusiastic attitude encouraged participants to share some of their own experiences, which led naturally into working together in small groups. It was interesting to note the psychology at play within the group interactions, how individual urges gently transformed into a more communal outlook. Loved the vibrant ‘toolkits’ too!‘
Dot – Artist & M.A. student of Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution, University of Bradford
