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International Day of Peace

We celebrated the International Day of Peace here at the University of Bradford on Friday 21 September 2018.

The United Nations General Assembly declared this a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This year's Day of Peace also celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Peace Studies at the University of Bradford

We have a rich heritage in the study of peace. Our Division of Peace Studies and International Development maintains an international reputation as a centre for excellence in research, teaching, training and policy engagement, and was one of the first of it's kind in the world.

The Division also boasts one of the six Rotary Peace Centres worldwide, and is a founding member of the Rotary Peace Centres network.

The world comes to Bradford; we are extremely proud that our students cover over 50 nationalities. The chance to meet people of different backgrounds and experience is unparalleled and makes PSID a very rich learning environment.

Find out more about our students and alumni

Our research

There is a long tradition of Peace research at Bradford and the University has a very strong international reputation in this area.

Current research in Peace Studies and International Development is wide-ranging and multidisciplinary. It has an applied focus on policy-relevant problems relating to the process of economic development, conflict resolution and peace-building, as well as international relations and security studies.

Recent and ongoing research includes a focus on poverty and social justice, microfinance, sustainable livelihoods, capability approach and human development, governance and institutional change, human resource management, application of cost benefit approaches and industrial and trade policy. Work on the water sector is internationally recognised as a key area of expertise.

Research within Peace Studies and International Development is focused on one research centre: the JEFCentre for African Studies (JEFCAS).

Special Collections on Peace, Politics and Social Change

Our collections tell the story of peaceful protest in the 20th century. Particular strengths include archives of late 1950s and early 1960s nonviolent anti-nuclear campaigning, 1980s peace camps, and initiatives based in the University and its region.

From 100 Objects - the Special Collections blog

The University of Bradford Rotary Peace Centre

The Rotary Peace Centre hosts and supports ten fully-funded MA Rotary Peace Fellows from around the world each year and is based in the Division of Peace Studies and International Development (PSID) at the University of Bradford.

The Centre was established in 2002 as a founding member of the Rotary Peace Centres network. There are five additional Rotary Peace Centres at:

  • the University of North Carolina-Duke University (USA)
  • University of Queensland (Australia)
  • International Christian University (Japan)
  • Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
  • Uppsala University (Sweden)

Since 2002, the Rotary Foundation has invested more than $150 million (USD) in the global Rotary Peace Fellowship programme. The six Rotary Peace Centres have collectively trained over 1,100 Rotary Peace Fellows.

Rotary Peace Fellows

Rotary Peace Fellows are selected through a highly-competitive international process.

The Bradford Rotary Peace Centre is the most competitive placement site and receives more applications than any other Rotary Peace Centre in the world. Bradford Peace Fellows must have several years of professional experience, an excellent academic record, and show an ability to have a significant, positive impact on world peace and conflict resolution in their future careers.

Rotary Peace Fellows at Bradford are supported by the fellowship for the 15-month duration of the programme, starting in September and ending in December of the following year. The fellowship includes full-funding for tuition, living expenses, Applied Field Experiences, and travel costs.The Rotary Peace Centre organizes and facilitates a variety of opportunities, workshops, conferences, and trips for the Peace Fellows throughout the year to bolster their learning experience and professional development.