Invitation

13th International Symposium on the Contributions of Psychology to Peace

Theme: Promoting Peace in the Era of Globalization
Initiated under the auspices of the Committee for the Psychological Study of
Peace,
International Union of Psychological Science
Organized by the Departments of Psychology and Political Science,
International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
June 9-15, 2013
The International Symposia on the Contributions of Psychology to Peace bring
together invited participants from around the world every other year. These symposia
promote intercultural research and practice on peace and social justice issues.
Participants will be invited to address the theme Promoting Peace in the Era of
Globalization as it relates to a wide range of topics that bear on the psychology of
peace, including particular areas of interest and expertise.
The symposia enable scholars to present their current research in peace
psychology. Additionally they provide a platform for mutual exchange of ideas and
experiences where participants engage in intercultural dialogue aimed at reducing
cultural bias and ethnocentrism in research and practice in peace psychology. The
goal is to bring forward voices from cultures and situations that are typically not
included in peace discourses and to build an international community that promotes
peace-related research and action.
You are cordially invited to participate in the 13 th International Symposium on the
Contributions of Psychology to Peace, June 9-15, 2013. Your name is included in an
invitation list of around 40 participants proposed by the International Committee for
the Study of Peace from Psychological and other perspectives.
We are very excited to plan a week full of presentations, exchanges, dialogues,
cultural forums and recreational interludes. We hope you will join us. In the event
that you know you will be unable to attend, notification of this to my email below
would be greatly appreciated so that we may offer your spot to another colleague.
Hoping to see you in Kuala Lumpur in June 2013!
With best wishes,
Professor Noraini M. Noor, Local Site Coordinator
International Islamic University Malaysia

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INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORS AND SETTING
The Committee for the Psychological Study of Peace, currently chaired by Dan
Christie (U.S.), consists of Diane Bretherton, Previous Chair (Australia), Ruben
Ardila (Colombia), Andrew Dawes (South Africa), Janel Gauthier (Canada), Solveig
Hagglund (Sweden), Takehito Ito (Japan), Cristina Montiel (Philippines), Ann Sanson
(Australia), and Michael Wessells (U.S.) Morton Deutsch (U.S.) and Klaus Boehnke
(Germany) are the Senior Advisers for the Committee.
SYMPOSIUM THEME AND CONTEXT
The main theme for the 2013 symposium is Promoting Peace in the Era of
Globalization. Globalization has been associated with greater connectedness
between people and across societies, and is seen to increase economic opportunity
and prosperity. However, in developing countries, it is often related to increased
economic inequality, instability and violence. Globalization also has been linked with
a revival of traditional values, religion and culture, especially in multi-ethnic societies.
Therefore, in this symposium, we welcome topics relating to this theme, such as
inter-ethnic relations, inter-ethnic conflict and peacemaking, conflict and conflict
resolution, peacebuilding in post-war societies, religion and peacebuilding, interfaith
dialogue, indigenous peace work, peace education, building societies in the
aftermath of natural disasters, sustainable development, and other related topics.
Malaysia is a multicultural, multi-religious society comprising of three main ethnic
groups; 52% Malays, 24% Chinese, and 7% Indians. Due to its past legacy,
ethnicity is the central policy issue in Malaysia and remains so up to this day. The
British policy of dividing labour by ethnicity segregated the ethnic groups, sowing the
seeds for future structural violence, which culminated in the inter-ethnic violence of
1969. The riots were diagnosed as economic (Malays lack of economic power),
and since then, ethnic identity and politics have become even more dominant. The
perpetual contestations between the ethnic groups and the governments
compromises and accommodations to maintain harmony represent the hallmark of
Malaysian life.
A trip to the historical city of Malacca is proposed. 150 kilometers south of Kuala
Lumpur, the city is strategically located on the narrowest point of the Straits of
Malacca. It was founded in 1402 and became a major port along the spice-route,
trading in commodities from China, India, Arabia and the Malay Archipelago. The
vibrant trade attracted many outsiders to settle down in Malacca, and intermarriages
between them and the locals were common. The Peranakan (Chinese who married
local women, with their descendants speaking the Malay language) is one such
group. This cultural pluralism was an integral part of the local reality at the time and
laid the grounds for a flexible cultural terrain that was capable of absorbing other
layers of pluralism to come, even colonialism. It was via Malacca that the country
was colonized, first by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and the Japanese.
Each left its mark and these are still visible seen in present-day Malacca.

St. Pauls Church at the top of the hill, surrounded by the fort. At the left: Malacca river.
Francis Valentijn (1726)

Symposium format
Individual paper presentations may be theoretical, empirical, or applied; but they should be
scientifically grounded and original. With few exceptions, presentations are brief, averaging
about 12 minutes each. In addition to paper presentations, there will be several forums for
dialogue among participants to create opportunities for the exchange of ideas. There also
will be a strong cultural program and opportunities to engage with local partners and
organizations.

The following is a tentative timetable of activities.

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Sunday, June 9
Arrival day. Registration and Welcome
Monday June 10
9.00-9.30 Opening Ceremony
9.30-10.30 Keynote address
10.30-11.00 Coffee break & Introductions
11.00-12.30 Paper presentations
12.00-1.30 Lunch
2.00-3.30 Paper presentations
3.30-5.00 Dialogue
8.00
Dinner
Tuesday June 11
9.30-10.30 Paper presentations
10.30-11.00 Coffee break
11.00-12.30 Poster session
12.30-1.30 Lunch
2.00-5.00 Excursion/Related Activities
Free evening

Wednesday June 12
9.30-10.30 Keynote address
10.30-11.00 Coffee break
11.00-12.30 Paper presentations
12.30-1.30 Lunch
2.00-5.00 Excursion/Related Activities
8.00
Dinner
Thursday June 13
9.30-10.30 Paper presentations
10.30-11.00 Coffee break
11.00-12.30 Dialogue
12.30-1.30 Lunch
2.00-5.00 Wrap up & closing/Resolutions
8.00
Dinner
Friday June 14
Trip to the historical state of Malacca
Saturday June 15
Breakfast & depart

LOCATION AND FACILITIES

The symposium will be held at the main campus of the International Islamic
University Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur, the capitol of Malaysia, is multiethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious (please refer to Malaysias official tourism
website for more information, http://www.tourism.gov.my/). The weather in June is
hot (between 28-35 degrees Celsius) and humidity is high so light clothing is
recommended (but a light jacket may come in handy when the air-conditioning gets
too cold).

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ACCOMMODATION
Participants may choose either to stay in the furnished university hostel (Mahallah
Ruqayyah) or at a hotel in the city center (note that the distance from the city center
to campus is about 20 km). The rooms in Mahallah Ruqayyah are fully furnished with
an attached bathroom (with hot shower) and air conditioning. The cost of the room
for 6 nights is USD 200. For those opting to stay at a hotel, they are requested to
make their own reservations directly with the hotel (please check the following
website, http://www.tourism.gov.my/accommodations/).
Registration fee
Arrangements have been made for a conference package including all meals, cultural
excursions and conference activities (but excluding accommodation).
The conference registration fee is USD 350.
Letter of invitation
If you need a formal letter of invitation, please send a request to the Symposium Secretary
(Azlin Alwi, Email: peacepsyc2013@gmail.com).
Visa
Please check with the relevant authorities for information on visa requirements. The
following website shows the various schedules of countries requiring visa,
http://www.labuantourism.com.my/entry/formality.htm

Travel arrangements
June is a hot month, but once you have gotten used to the humidity, Malaysia has a number
of attractions for those who may want to do some sightseeing, travelling or exploring (see
http://www.tourism.gov.my).
Once you have confirmed your flight, please email your flight details so that someone can
meet you at the airport to help sort out the transportation (more directions on this later).
Registration Deadline
To guarantee a place in the Symposium, the non-refundable Registration fee should be paid
by January 30, 2013.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND CONTACT PERSONS

Noraini M. Noor, Local Site Coordinator (reninoor@yahoo.com)
Azlin Alwi, Symposium Secretary (peacepsyc2013@gmail.com, please use this email
for correspondence)
Abdul Rashid Moten, Chair of the Local Committee (rashidmoten@gmail.com)
Alizi Alias & Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, Vice-Chairs of the Local Committee

Postal address:
Department of Psychology
International Islamic University Malaysia
Jalan Gombak
53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: +603 6196 5147
Fax: +603 6196 4870/5063

REGISTRATION FORM
The 13th International Symposium on the Contributions of Psychology to Peace
June 9-15, 2013
Family name:
First name:
Mr

Ms

Dr.

Organization:
Address:
Post/Zip code:

City

Country

E-mail

Phone:

Fax:

Private address if no organisation address available:

Address:
Post/Zip code:

City:

Country:

E-mail

Phone:

Fax:

Title of paper presentation:

Abstract details
The abstract should not exceed 250 words and include:
Name, institution and e-mail address of the author
Title of paper
Indication of sub theme if relevant
Indication of preference: poster, paper presentation, or no preference
Conference Theme: Promoting Peace in the Era of Globalization
The deadline for submission of abstracts is January 30, 2013. Abstract must be
sent electronically, pasted into the text of a message or attached (use MS-Word)
via e-mail to:
peacepsyc2013@gmail.com

FORM FOR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION PAYMENT

Fees
Registration fees should be paid in US Dollars.
Registration fees
Before March 15
After March 15th

US 350
US 400

Provided that there are openings

Accommodation fees
Before March 15
After March 15th

US 200
US 250

Provided that there are openings

Payment
Payment should be made by invoice, payable to: Finance Director, IIUM, Bank
Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, Account Number: 14070000004716, Swift Code:
BMMBMYKL. Upon sending the payment, please send the bank transfer form via
email to the Secretary, peacepsyc2013@gmail.com. We will then send a
confirmation of your registration.