11th December 2003

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The University of Ulster strengthened its connection with the United Nations University this week when the Vice-Chancellor, Professor McKenna and INCORE Director Professor Gillian
Robinson attended the 50th meeting of the United Nations University (UNU) Council held at the university’s headquarters in Tokyo.

The UU delegation briefed the UNU Council on the University of Ulster’s work in the field of conflict resolution research, much of which concentrates on issues facing societies in transition such as Northern Ireland.

INCORE is the centre for International Conflict Research at the University of Ulster, based at its Magee campus.

Professor Robinson, INCORE Director, said: “Council members were impressed by our focus and were keen to ensure we could maximise the policy impact of our work through the United Nations University with its close links to the United Nations.”

“Our continuing research programme at INCORE places the Northern Ireland experience in a comparative context, and explores issues such as the management of peace processes, education in divided societies and reconstruction of societies after violent conflict.

“These are issues facing many regions of the world today, and the United Nations University is a major catalyst in promoting networks of academics across the globe to work together to advance our understanding of the causes of conflict and to find methods to promote the resolution of conflict without recourse to violent means.”

At a special reception the Rector of UNU, Professor Van Ginkle, paid tribute to the quality of INCORE’s research and training and its relevance to UNU goals. He has established a senior working group to develop the UNU - INCORE relationship.

The Vice-Chancellor in his address to UNU Council gave an overview of the University of Ulster and its strategic development plan. In this he outlined the many benefits of genuine partnership and reasserted the University of Ulster’s wide ranging expertise across disciplines including policy studies, history, politics, sociology and psychology in peace and conflict studies.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk