International Master in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies

UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace

The UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace was created in October of 1999, through an agreement between the UNESCO Chair, the Bancaja-Caja Castellón Foundation and Universitat Jaume I of Castellón (UJI). Our commitment is a work in progress and one which consists of building and disseminating cultures for peace(s).

The UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace carries out its main activities in the Postgraduate Centre of the University Jaume I and in the International Centre Bancaja for Peace and Development (CIBPD). It was first established by the Caja-Castellón Foundation in 1996 and today its head office is located on the campus of the UJI. In 1999, the CIBPD received the UNESCO's Mahatma Gandhi gold medal.

The main activities of the UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace are the following:

Postgraduate Official Programme (POP): The International Master in Peace and Development Studies was created in 1996; however, the POP has evolved over the years and, in 2006, was officially recognized as a Master and Doctorate of International Studies for Peace, Conflict and Development. The Master offers courses in both English and Spanish and between 50 and 60 students, representing over 20 different nationalities, attend the programme each academic year. Half of our student body comes from economically poor countries. These students are awarded scholarships by the Valencian Community, the county council of Castellón and by specific councils within the Valencian province.

The POP contracts international and intercultural teachers who represent the different academic traditions of the world. The POP is committed to professional, academic and research options. The professional training option aims to shape students as experts in cooperation for co-development, as officers for the United Nations and other international organizations, as observers and mediators in conflicts, and as experts in humanitarian aid and awareness campaigns. The research option constitutes post-academic training for professionals from different fields and academic preparation that provides students with the adequate tools for advanced research. Once the Master requirements are completed, students may accede to the Doctorate Programme, which offers various research lines related to three thematic focuses, Peace, Conflict and Development.

Electives: The elective Philosophy for Peace is a free and optional course for a BA in Humanities. It is also a free elective offered to all of the students of the UJI. The elective, Audio-visual Discourses and Peace Culture, is an optional course for a BA in Audio-visual Communication

Communication for Peace and Cooperation Project This project aims to contribute to the construction of a culture for peace. It consists of both research activities and training and awareness, which completes the formation of its communication professionals (journalists, publicists, artists etc.).

Peace Education Project: This project is also aimed at promoting a culture for peace through the promotion of teacher training activities and through the general formation of teachers for peace. It includes meetings between POP students and students from other schools and weekly intercultural seminars open to the university student body and the Castellón community.

Project «Towards an international civil society»: Its aim is to build a network of initiatives of the civil society in the world in order to facilitate easy communication and exchange of experiences, which in turn promotes a civil international society. This goal in mind, the Chair designs specific student projects that are realized in local counterparts. These projects give the students the opportunity to carry out their practicum in different organizations in order to complete their academic training with a strong and formative professional element.

Advising in issues related to research for Peace, Cooperation and Conflicts in editorial meetings and collections that deal with such themes.

Collaboration with the Peace Museum (Bancaja-Caja Castellón Foundation - Council of Vall d'Uixó).