Pioneer peace activist transcends barriers

By Kristin Mjoseth

Professor of Peace Studies Johan Galtung began his May 8 evening lecture in Mayer Theater with a simple, ten-word definition of peace. "Peace," explained Galtung, "is the ability to handle conflict creatively and non-violently."

As part of Santa Clara's year long Institute on Globalization, the university played host to Galtung, founder of the International Peace Research Institute and of TRANSCEND, a virtual university devoted to peace development and education. Galtung, 73, has accomplished what many can only dream to achieve in several lifetimes. As the recipient of 10 honorary doctorates and author of over 80 books, Galtung is considered by many to be the key founding figure in the academic discipline of peace and conflict studies.

With a full head of striking white hair and a graceful Norwegian accent, Galtung subtly and unobtrusively commands the attention of everyone in his presence. In his lecture on Thursday, dozens of people sat mesmerized as he called on the world to "come together to produce a life of dignity, a life where basic human needs are satisfied."

The highlight of Galtung's visit to the university was an intense two-day workshop attended by a diverse group of scholars, students, and activists. At 8:30 on Saturday morning, participants filed into the university?s Brass Rail conference room with nametags around their necks and a 200-page manual on what Galtung calls "the Transcend Method" in hand. The method outlines Galtung's goal of empowering people with the creativity to resolve conflicts peacefully.

A highly interactive experience, participants were divided into tables of six seated in front of Galtung who expanded on some of his ideas presented in his first lecture on Thursday. Throughout the day, Galtung gave each table a series of conflicts and instructed them to come up with a peaceful solution in three minutes. The Brass Rail was soon transformed into a forum for peace conflict resolution where some of the world?s most difficult conflicts were virtually solved in minutes. The conflicts, or "incompatible goals" as defined by Galtung, ranged from century old theological disputes to a disagreement between a husband and wife over how to spend Sunday leisure time.

Regardless of the conflict's importance on a global scale, Galtung continually stressed the same principles. Instead of compromise which leaves half of the party satisfied and the other half unsatisfied, Galtung encourages dialogue, or "mutual questioning" between parties. If for instance two friends find themselves arguing over the aisle seat on an airplane, but both want to sit next to each other, Galtung would suggest that they occupy the two seats on either side of the aisle, that way both parties are satisfied. His approach empowers ordinary people to use their imagination to come to some sort of solution that must be both acceptable and sustainable.

With his surprising wit and refreshing sense of humor, Galtung almost makes his systematic approach to peace sound too simple. He stresses that every conflict can be solved in four words or less, regardless of the magnitude of the problem.

In September of 1998, Peru and Ecuador decided to put an end to a 50-year dispute over a border that had sent both countries to war four times. Using his anti-violence Transcend Method, Galtung advised the countries to turn the zone into a natural park, completely abandoning any idea of a border. The two countries took his advice and to this day the area stands as a bi-natural zone, in a solution that only cost the amount of Galtung's plane ticket to South America.

"One does not need a Ph.D in the origin of the conflict" explains Galtung. Each participant in the workshop, despite prior background knowledge of the conflicts that Galtung presented, was able to come to a solution that he acknowledged as correct and sustainable.

In the wake of the United States' war against Iraq - a war that Galtung identified as "deeply illegitimate" - the question of "what if?" is difficult to avoid, especially after being exposed to a system that allows conflicts to be solved in four or less words without any human loss. Galtung is a harsh critic of what he calls "the United States Empire," comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein, whom he referenced to as "people who are willing to kill." Halfway through the first day of the workshop Galtung gave a somber warning of a serious unavoidable backlash as a result of military action against Iraq.

Galtung's system is based on a "plea for imagination." Where can one find this source of imagination? As Galtung explains, "the most simple source of creativity is to take from your own experience." All people, regardless of background, color or creed can learn from Galtung's extraordinary amount of experience and wisdom.