Since there is no end to conflict and it is multi-level in dimension, there is the need for people with certified skills to be engaged in peace work all over the world.

According to Johan Galtung:

"Peace appeals to the heart; studies to the brain. Both are needed, indeed indispensable. But equally indispensable is a valid link between brain and heart. And that, in a nutshell, is what peace studies and peace practice are all about."

The emergence of peace studies date back to the early 1950s, when existing universities and research institutes began to articulate specific frameworks, concepts and tools to manage challenges associated with conflicts. This trend did not gain ground in the academic community in Nigeria until lately in year 2000, when the University of Ibadan pioneered the first Peace and Studies Program that gave birth to the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in 2005. Producing scholars in this field was an initiative highly welcomed, but not an end itself.

A peace study is of little significance, unless applied. The need for synergy between scholars and practitioners informed our thinking in SPSP. Peace studies needs to be a combination of academic theories and practical experiences in the field. SPSP set out to train people who have the ability to reflect and conduct meaningful peace work. This is in addition to having persons who possess relevant knowledge and skills needed to analyze conflicts and engage in concrete peace actions or conflict transformation.

The Society since inception has set out to educate and engage qualified professionals in the following fields:

• Conflict transformation, peace and development;
• Insecurity, security, rule of law, human and basic rights;
• Global warming, environmental degradation and resource conflicts;
• Identity, ethno-religious complexities resulting in conflicts;
• Democracy, voter’s education, election and electioneering;
• Peace education in schools, colleges, universities and informal sectors;
• Gender violence, war crimes transitional justice and reconciliation;
• Media, communication and peace journalism;
• Monitoring and evaluation in conflict prone settings;
• Research in various universities and other related institutions; and
• Above all international cooperation towards evolving a culture of peace.

The Society has strong policies in these areas and maintains conscious programs geared towards promoting peace by peaceful means, by way of intervention or peace education. The aim has been to inform and transform individuals, societies, governments and international NGOs for the creation of a global culture of peace much needed for sustainable development in the world.

Dr. Eselebor, Aziegbe Willie

Society for Peace Studies & Practice