BRIEF ON THE CENTRE:

1. Preamble

The centre for peace, conflict and development studies was established on the 9th of July 2003. This was in recognition of the fact that in all communities development and conflicts are intimately and intricately woven together. Therefore, in line with the vision of the university it was considered expedient to have a unit that will be saddled with the responsibility of researching, training and coordinating activities that will enhance peace among local communities and the world in general.

2. Vision

To be a Centre of excellence in conflict analysis, management, and development studies.

3. Mission

To facilitate a prosperous, united and peaceful Benue State, Nigeria and even beyond.

4. Aim

The aim of the Centre is: To foster the society’s ability to understand the nature of conflicts and development issues as a basis for conflict management/resolution and establishment of an enabling environment for development through change in value orientation, wealth creation and improved well-being in Benue, Nigeria and beyond.

Objectives

Specifically, the aims and objectives of the new expanded centre are:

i. To undertake critical analysis on issues of peace, conflict and development.
ii. To facilitate research works on all aspects of conflict, peace and development
iii. To facilitate conflict monitoring, conflict prevention, conflict management, conflict resolution, peace keeping, peace enforcement and peace building.
iv. To facilitate development monitoring and engage in development enhancement programmes.
v. To act as a centre for documentation and information resources on conflict situations, peace and development.
vi. To publish monographs, journals, and books reflecting the result of scholarly research and analysis in matters of conflict, peace and development.
vii. To provide for a for dialogue through seminars, conferences, workshops round table discussions and lecturers on conflict, peace and development.
viii. To organize training and outreach programmes which will promote quality skills and capacities in dialogue, conflict management, peace building and development.
ix. To engage in information dissemination and capacity building through popular media on issues of conflict, peace and development.

5. ADMINSTRATIVE STUCTURE

6. SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

As can be seen from the Administrative structure, the scope of activities of the centre, which will be subject to an elaborate review by management from time to time, include;
i. Research and evaluation
Even though the debate on Research impact is not yet conclusive, the Benue State University in the pursuit of excellence and the mandate of engagement with the local and even the wider communities has decided to emphasis the aspect of impacting on the relevant local and wider communities by making available to them very informed and qualitative research result, training, consultancy, and even opportunities for advocacy and mediation. This emphasis therefore brings to the forefront the concept of Research Excellence Frame (REF) as the operational basis of all the Centres in the University including the Centre for Peace and Development Studies.

ii. Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, and Lectures.
The centre also engages in workshops, conferences, seminars or lectures in areas of conflict and peace that are considered to be of current interest. The results of this could become documented materials for publication.

iii. Information and Documentation.
The Benue State Centre for Conflicts, Peace and Development Studies is relatively new. Although we intend to start and develop a very good library in this area we are yet to have a sizeable collection. We are therefore appealing to our sister institutions for help where possible.

7 UP COMING EVENTS

A. RESEARCH FOCUS AND PROPOSALS

i. The research focus at the Centre now is in the area of Land use Conflicts, particularly in agricultural land use. This is a problem that has plagued many African countries and the dimension and scope is getting wider with the problem of climate change and other emerging environmental problems. At the moment the centre has developed a Research Proposal on agricultural land use conflicts in the North Central Region of Nigeria and is looking for partners and sponsors. Interested persons can contact us on the above address for more details.

ii. Another area of Research interest to the centre is in Youth Restiveness. We are currently developing a proposal to research into this area too.

B. CONFERECES AND WORKSHOPS
At the appropriate dates, when we shall have contacted the appropriate persons, we will send out call notices for the conferences on Land Use Conflicts in Africa and Youth Restiveness in Nigeria.
Interested persons may wish to begin to look out for such information and/or make inquiries where and when necessary.

C. TRAING PROGRAMME
i. Already the Benue State University runs a Masters programme in Development Studies. Plans are also being made by the centre to start a Masters programme and a Diploma in Conflict Management and Peace Keeping.

ii. Workshops
 The Non-Violent Approach to conflict workshops.
In line with the African Women Active Non-Violence Initiative for Social Change (AWANICH). the Centre has adopted the step down strategy of this programme which is Non-Violence Education and has organized a test training programme for a selected number of students and further intends to organize this training for other student leaders and the traditional rulers as well as political leaders too.
 A workshop on Peace keeping is also being contemplated within the near feature.
Any institution that wants to partner with us in any of the above areas, is welcome and may contact us on the above address.