BAHÇEŞEHİR UNIVERSITY (BAU)The Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Centerat Bahçeşehir University
The professional development certificate in peace and development studies is a multidisciplinary one-year program grounded in theory andpractice for sustainable Positive Peace in the Middle East and North Africa. It is designed to train future changemakers who are from the region,
have worked in the region, have worked elsewhere around the world with communities or initiatives related to the Middle East or NorthAfrica,or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region. The ideal candidate will demonstratestrong commitment to, and substantial background in, peace or development issues. Fellows will learn how to use their experience to create
meaningful change in societies through groundbreaking ideas based on participatory approaches.
“Bahçeşehir University is one of the leading higher education institutions in the region, with its strong academic and research infrastructureand global connections with international organizations and other higher education institutions. Through our peace and development
certificate program, fellows will better understand peacebuilding in the [Middle East and North Africa] region through rigorous academic
training, field experiences, networking opportunities, and participation in United Nations Institute for Training and Research CIFAL Istanbul
programming.” — Professor Ebru Canan-Sokullu, director of CIFAL Istanbul and dean of Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Economics,
Administrative and Social Sciences
Program overview
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Specialization: Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Development
Studies
Departments and centers: Faculty of Economics, Administrative,and Social Sciences and the Graduate School of Global Politics andInternational Relations in partnership with CIFAL Istanbul of UNITAR(International Training Centres for Local Authorities and Local Actors)
and ULMER/HLO (International Leadership Research and Application
Center/School of Government and Leadership)
Program: Fellows will focus on issues of particular relevance tothe Middle East and North Africa, including, among others, land
and identity disputes, climate change, food insecurity, refugee
integration, and economic and community development. By theend of this program, they will be equipped with the conceptual andanalytical tools they need to design and implement projects related
to conflict transformation and/or sustainable development together
with communities in crisis situations.
Curriculum: The program is composed of a single module thatconcentrates on four interrelated subjects: theories and methodologyof peace and development; sustainable development (prosperity,people, planet); conflict resolution; and diplomacy/cooperation.
Training, seminars, and workshops related to the UN Sustainable
Development Goals are offered in cooperation with UNITAR andCIFAL Istanbul.

Field study: Visits to Ankara (policymaking in peace anddevelopment); Giresun (sustainable development); Şanlıurfa, Mardin,Hatay, and Adana (disaster management and cultural heritage); andNicosia (frozen conflict area)
Activities: Workshops, cultural events, and visits to nongovernmentalorganizations and foundations in Istanbul
Notable professors: Esra Albayrakoğlu, Damla Bayraktar-Aksel,
Ebru Canan-Sokullu, Esra Hatipoğlu, Alex Mejia, Nilüfer Narlı,
Uluç Özülker, Rahime Süleymanoğlu-Kürüm
Language of instruction: English
Fellows: Up to 20 per cohort, two cohorts per year
Length: The one-year program includes a one-week online
preliminary course, a 10-week on-site course with community
engagement activities and field trips, a nine-month implementation
period for a social change initiative (with interactive online sessions),
and an on-site capstone seminar.
Website: rpc.bau.edu.tr
Contact: rotarypeacecenter@bau.edu.tr
Learn more about Rotary Peace Centers and how to apply at
rotary.org/peace-fellowships.

EN—(1023)