South-East European Master’s Program in Peace Studies


In cooperation with the below mentionend partners, æ-Centre developed a regional Master of Peace Studies for South-East Europe.

The project partners are

  • University of Basel
  • University of Belgrade
  • University of Sarajevo
  • University of Zagreb
  • Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding (ICP) => since 2016 æ-Centre

In the former Yugoslav region, a scientific approach to peace is still at an early stage. With reference to the recent violent past of South-East Europe, a coordinated academic approach to peace studies, inter-cultural dialogue and nonviolent conflict resolution should be developed at at the universities of Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb. The scientific dimension of peace research would serve as a prerequisite and framework for the development of practical projects and the application of scientific findings on conflict transformation. This would have a positive impact to guarantee the peaceful future of the region.

The project includes elements of capacity building and knowledge transfer from Swiss partners to beneficiaries in South-East Europe, as well as curriculum development and harmonization. The goal is to develop a unique and locally oriented regional master’s program in peace studies as a tangible outcome of inter-university cooperation. Through the project university cooperation in the region would advance further than has been the case throughout the recent (troubled) past. This would create conditions to build a network of young professionals and researchers. It would furthermore give incentive to deepen and broaden current cooperation of scientists and NGO representatives to work and collaborate on future regional peace-related projects.

The project is co-financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

Visit the programme website: www.see-peace.net

See the promo-video on: www.youtube.com/watch?v=byaw3b5V7uw