5^th SRP Executive Programme 2020 – Course Outline

The 5^th SRP Executive Programme will continue to be under the broad umbrella of Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding. The Executive Programme will be broken up into two sessions (Session 1 and Session 2), with each session running for three days and having a distinct theme.

The theme for Session 1 is Conflict Prevention and Resolution in an Age of Religious Violence. It will focus on religious conflict and violence by engaging specific religious texts and traditions which are seemingly antithetical towards coexistence or promote violence. Case studies will be discussed to illustrate the impact that a literal or antagonistic way of interpreting these texts have contributed to conflict among different religious communities. It will then provide frameworks and practical skills for conflict resolution and conflict transformation with a view of preventing conflict in Singapore.

The theme for Session 2 is Religious Peacebuilding and Dialogue in Secular Societies. It will elaborate on theories of secularism, and explore the nexus between state, religion and nationalism in secular countries using India as a case study. It will then provide resources and skills to promote peacebuilding in times of conflict as well as positive peace. Emphasis will be given to inter-religious dialogue (IRD) as a significant tool to establish and enhance peace among communities.

By attending EP2020, participants can expect to:

• gain an appreciation of key concepts such as secularism and religion, religion and violence, and how they relate to peacebuilding.
• develop a solid awareness of skills and its applications in local and international contexts for preventing conflict and building social peace and harmony.
• acquire knowledge of models of good practice and practical examples of how harmony and co-existence can be developed through dialogue, conflict prevention, and conflict resolution across religious cultures.

Date:
Session 1: 10-12 February 2020

Programme:
Session 1: Conflict Prevention and Resolution in an Age of Religious Violence

The fee for participation is $450 per person for one session (Session 1 or Session 2). Participants who sign up for both sessions will enjoy a discounted fee of $700. Participants who register for Sessions 1 and 2 will also be issued a Certificate of Participation upon completion and full attendance of both sessions.

While meals and writing materials will be provided, foreign participants are required to make personal arrangements for transport (flight/ local transport) and accommodation.