Israel’s northern region provides fertile ground for the study of conflict resolution. This microcosm of Israeli society is home to a mosaic of communities – Jewish, Muslim and Christian Arab, Bedouin, Druze, and Circassian – coming from diverse socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Activity of the Center
Researchers at the center study constructive ways to manage conflicts that occur in complex circumstances and contexts, and provide practical options for their resolution. This involves the following major activities:
• Study of social diversity and intergroup conflicts
• Sponsorship of local, national and international conferences and seminars
• Collection of prominent case studies
• Implementation and assessment of educational and communal projects throughout Israel and abroad
• Professional training to develop specialists in the area of social diversity and intergroup conflicts in the region
• Development of regional and international networks
Goals
The goals of the center are consistent with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflect the academic vision and strategy of the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College. These include:
• Development of methods to contend with intergroup conflicts and social diversity, based on dialogue and collaboration with communities and organizations
• Training of managers, government officials, community leaders and private individuals in ways to deal constructively with social diversity and intergroup conflicts
• Application of skills in conflict management and social diversity in order to solve internal problems and disputes
• Compilation of databases with research findings on the subject of intergroup conflicts, including methods for managing them as well as success stories
Major Areas of Research
• Gender Diversity: gender in management, academia, business, entrepreneurship and the public sector
• Diversity-sensitive teaching and learning: effective teaching and learning methods within the context of a divided society
• Intergroup conflict resolution in the field of nursing: diversity and conflict resolution within nursing teams
• Intergroup relations within a mixed community: the engagement of diverse groups and in meaningful relationship-building
International Collaboration
The center partners with institutions and organizations around the globe, including the Faculty of Psychology and the Center for Research on Prejudice at the University of Warsaw (Poland), The University of Applied Management Studies (Mannheim, Germany), and the Department of Management at the University of Nicosia (Cyprus). Efforts are currently under way to expand collaboration with academic institutions, NGOs, and the private sector in Croatia, France, Germany, Greece and the UK.
Opportunities exist for research within the framework of a master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation, post-doctorate or sponsored fellowship.
Information is also available regarding international seminars and conferences as well as training seminars for educators, managers and community leaders.
Head of the Center
Prof. Helena Desivilya
desiv@yvc.ac.il