Institute of Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation (IDCT)

History

The Institute of Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation is an offshoot of the International Affairs Program of the School of Arts and Sciences in Byblos. IDCT’s was created in 2005 as part of an effort to incorporate active learning into our curricula and to contribute more effectively to the issue of peace and stability in a region characterized by protracted and violent conflict.

The liberal arts education philosophy of LAU has enriched our modest experience in developing curriculum material, workshops, and service learning for faculty and students at LAU and in organizing international conferences that go with the philosophy of the UN in promoting greater understanding and tolerance across cultural, religious, political, and economic divides. In doing so, we were unable to ignore the contradictory processes of globalization and fragmentation presented to us in this part of the world, especially

after the end of the cold war and 9/11.   These development, which have given rise to thematic studies across borders such as ethnic conflict, transition to democracy, and social and legal inequalities have convinced us to revisit our curricula and to create institutions with an outreach perspective.

The political and security conditions in Lebanon were additional factors forcing us to cope with ongoing events. Of all the Middle Eastern societies, Lebanon represents a case in point. The relationship between national sovereignty and international responsibility, globalization and fragmentation are all present in Lebanese society and in the behavior of the Lebanese government. Moreover, the collapse of civic responsibility and civic behavior as an aftermath of the Lebanese war have put additional pressure on us to adjust our academic programs for the sake of creating a common space where all the Lebanese can meet regardless of sect by promoting a culture of peace among themselves and by educating students on citizenship.

The Social Science Division through its International Affairs Program in Byblos has been a pioneer in introducing courses on citizenship, human rights, and conflict resolution into its curricula and in organizing workshops and conferences related to these issues. Conferences and workshops were organized on “Acknowledgement, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Alternative Approaches to Conflict Resolution in Lebanon,” “Reconciliation Processes and the Displaced Communities in Post-War Lebanon,” “The Building of Citizenship in Lebanon,” and “ The Issue of Peace in the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue only to name a few. Moreover, our students have become the pride of the University by repeatedly winning diplomacy awards at the prestigious Harvard Model UN. Our reputation in the World Model UN has brought the University a generous grant from Merril Lynch to organize what is called “ Global Classrooms,” a UN simulation model especially designed for high school students. This activity along all the others is meant to create awareness among the Lebanese, and an ethos that very much coincides with UNESCO in the construction of peace and security by promoting collaboration between peoples, through education, science, culture, and communication.