International Conference at UM Focuses on Global Conflict Management

OXFORD, Miss. – A prestigious annual event that encourages the development of peace analysis and conflict management around the globe is meeting at the University of Mississippi’s the Inn at Ole Miss this weekend.

David Carter of Princeton University answers questions after speaking at the 49th Annual North American meeting of the Peace Science Society (International). Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Communications

The 49th Peace Science Society International Conference, which began Thursday (Nov. 12) and ends Saturday (Nov. 14), focuses on how social science theory relates to international relations. Presenters included scholars and experts from a wide variety of fields.

Representing UM as participants are Jeffery Carter, assistant professor of political science; Benjamin Jones, assistant professor of international relations; and Susan Allen, associate professor of political science.

“The Peace Science Society Annual Conference is one of the largest conferences featuring rigorous academic research on peace, violence and conflict around the world,” said Carter, one of the event’s organizers and presenters. “The University of Mississippi is honored to host the conference for the first time in this region.”

http://news.olemiss.edu/international-conference-um-focuses-global-conflict-management/

Syrian legislator praises elements of international plan to end conflict

DAMASCUS, Syria – A Syrian legislator has praised parts of an incomplete international plan for ending Syria's conflict.

Omar Ossi, who heads parliament's national reconciliation committee, told The Associated Press Sunday that the plan has many points that "run in harmony" with President Bashar Assad's position that combatting "terrorism" should be a priority.

Ossi called the plan "a victory for Syrian policy and diplomacy."

Foreign ministers of 19 nations agreed in Vienna Saturday to an ambitious yet incomplete plan that sets a Jan. 1 deadline for the start of negotiations between Assad's government and opposition groups.

Neither the Syrian government nor opposition groups were present at the talks, which brought together the main foreign backers of both sides.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/15/syrian-legislator-praises-elements-international-plan-to-end-conflict/

Muslims are not the reason for Paris attacks

WORTHY

NOVEMBER 15, 2015

MUSLIMS NOT TO BE BLAMED FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT, REITERATES THE WORLD IN LIGHT OF PARIS ATTACKS [VIDEO]

MOHIT PRIYADARSHI

Muslims are not the reason for Paris attacks, is the message that seems to pervade social media two days after the French capital had to endure one of its worst nightmares of the post-war era.

Paris was attacked with a spate of bombings and shootings on the night of November 13, killing more than 120 people and injuring many others, in an ordeal that lasted for more than an hour.

In the aftermath of Paris attacks, people all around the world and belonging to all faiths, have reiterated that the blame for growing international conflict cannot be put squarely on Muslims, or people belonging to the Islamic faith.

A day after ISIS took responsibility for the ghastly attacks on Paris, ordinary Muslims feared a backlash, fueled by Islamophobia and misinformation. However, as is often the case, racial bigotry got a slap on its face when people took to social media to express not only their solidarity with the victims of Paris attacks, but also their solidarity with Muslims.

A Facebook post from Leigh Matthews, a graphic designer from Wales, in which he urged people to restrain from condemning ordinary Muslims for the attacks, has had more than 50,000 shares. In the post, Matthews asked people not to give in to racial prejudice in harrowing times such as these. His full post reads as follows.

http://www.inquisitr.com/2567706/muslims-not-to-be-blamed-for-international-conflict-reiterates-the-world-in-light-of-paris-attacks-video/