Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Otago University sets up chair in Peace and Conflict Studies

Posted at 02:10 on 26 September, 2008 UTC

Otago University in New Zealand has appointed Professor Kevin Clements

to the new Chair in Peace and Conflict Studies.

Professor Clements also becomes the Director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

The Centre will be dedicated to reflection on the nature of conflict, its resolution and the creation of peaceful environments.

It will also be actively engaged in peace-making initiatives in New Zealand, the Pacific, and further afield, and have an active partnership with indigenous peoples.

Professor Clements is currently the Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland.

He says he is looking forward to bringing together the experience of

both his academic and NGO positions of the past 20 years.

Professor Clements takes up his position in January 2009.