Introduction : reflections on cosmopolitan conflict resolution

Abstract

This collection of essays brings together papers presented at a seminar on Contemporary Issues in Conflict Resolution hosted by the Centre for the Study and Practice of Conflict Resolution at the University of Malta in May 2018. The newly-established Centre seeks to promote research and practice in the field of conflict resolution both from Malta as well as in Malta. The Centre’s research agenda is driven by a desire to produce and publish studies which provide insights and ideas that will inform the practice of conflict resolution. In fact, this collection is based on practice-oriented research. Briefly, this means that the essays in this collection seek to improve and update the practice of conflict analysis and resolution in four distinct areas: education, human rights, environment and cyberwarfare. In this context, the essays in this collection seek to probe some of the core ideas as well as the practice of conflict analysis and resolution in these four distinct areas. These essays suggest that conflict resolution theory and practice could benefit significantly from greater engagement with these topics in addition to bringing its own particular experience and frameworks to bear on them.