Contemporary Peace Studies.. Seminar at RIBF

As part of its cultural program at the 30th edition of the Rabat International Book Fair, the Muslim Council of Elders’ Pavilion hosted a thought-provoking seminar titled “Interdisciplinary Approaches in Contemporary Peace Studies.” 

The seminar was moderated by Dr. Mohamed Jamal, researcher at the Office for Manuscript Verification at Al-Azhar, Headquarters and featured a presentation by Dr. Samir Boudinar, Director of the Al-Hokama Center for Peace Research.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohamed Jamal highlighted the significance of the seminar’s theme, which explored the integration of tools and knowledge across diverse fields—ranging from political and social sciences to psychology, arts, and environmental studies.

 The goal, he explained, is to shed light on the theoretical and practical foundations of interdisciplinary methodologies and to examine real-world models that contribute to peacebuilding and the promotion of human coexistence across various sectors.

Dr. Jamal further noted that the seminar aims to foster a constructive scientific dialogue among researchers and practitioners in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by these interdisciplinary approaches. 

He stressed that the world’s current complex and interconnected crises require moving beyond traditional academic methods to achieve deeper insight and more holistic analysis of contemporary peace issues.

For his part, Dr. Samir Boudinar emphasized that peace studies, since the inception of this academic field, have been characterized by what he termed “pluralistic disciplinary origins,” drawing from economics, sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology, education, and beyond. 

He underscored that building peace in any society requires the adoption of diverse approaches that benefit from the contributions and methodologies of multiple disciplines.

Dr. Boudinar also affirmed the critical role of wise figures in peacebuilding efforts in today’s world, stating that many conflicts can be resolved through the “wisdom of the wise.” 

He pointed out that recent studies in the field of peacebuilding highlight the importance of reviving traditional cultural frameworks for mediation and arbitration, such as tribal elders, spiritual leaders, senior citizens, and community sages.

He concluded by asserting that the concept of “wisdom” is both a moral and universal value that intersects with the idea of “everyday peace”—a form of peace shaped by multiple actors and interventions. 

He also stressed the need to understand domestic contexts and particularities in order to accurately analyze conflicts in war-affected countries and communities.