Peace Education Pioneer Galtung to Speak

The University of San Diego welcomes a pioneer of peace education, Norway’s Dr. Johan Galtung, to campus for a rare conversation Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Theatre as part of the 2010-11 KIPJ Distinguished Lecture Series.

The appearance of Galtung, a world-renowned peace education activist and scholar, coincides with the international day of human rights, fitting for a man who has dedicated his life to promoting peace and peace education for four decades.

“Dr. Galtung’s extensive work, actually helping with peace negotiations in conflict zones, has stimulated his research, and his research has informed his peacebuilding. This blend of scholarship and practice helps us understand what really works to build sustainable peace,” said Diana Kutlow, director of the KIPJ Distinguished Lecture Series.

Thursday’s lecture, which Galtung titled, “Breaking the Cycle of Violent Conflict,” continues KIPJ’s celebration of 10 years of peacebuilding work. Having one of the founders of peace studies as an academic discipline speak at USD is important for all involved.

Necla Tschirgi, a Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies professor of practice, human security and peacebuilding, notes that “Galtung advocates a trans-disciplinary approach to Peace Studies where no single disciplinary perspective dominates over other disciplines. His abiding influence can be seen in his introduction of key concepts such as “negative peace,” “positive peace” and “structural violence” which have become integral parts of peace studies.”

Galtung’s academic career spans more than 40 years during which he has been a visiting professor at 30 schools on five continents. Galtung is the founder of TRANCEND, a global peace, development and environment network, and TRANSCEND Peace University. He founded the world’s first peace research institute in Oslo in 1959 and the Journal of Peace Research in 1964. He has published over 1,500 articles and more than 140 books, with translations into 33 languages, some of which are used in the curriculum of KSPS’ master’s program in Peace and Justice Studies.

Galtung has been a consultant to the United Nations and mediated in over 100 international conflicts. His dedication to peace has been recognized with 10 honorary doctorates and the Right Livelihood Award, Norwegian Literary Prize and other awards.

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