On September 15–16, the Department of Peace and Human Rights Studies hosted a two-day workshop for faculty members of the College of Humanities at the University of Duhok. Drawing directly on insights and field experiences gained during a academic visit to Japan, the event explored how Japanese educational institutions utilize structured "Communication Workshops" as practical tools for peace building, de-escalating intense conflicts, and fostering deeper dialogue.
over two morning sessions (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM), the program blended reflective presentations with interactive exercises:
Day 1 (September 15): The workshop opened with introductory remarks by Dr. Luqman, followed by contextual presentations from Mr. Jehat, Dr. Jotiyar, and Ms. Kanako. These sessions provided background on Japanese educational frameworks before introducing participants to the core principles of the communication workshop methodology.
Day 2 (September 16): Building on the initial theoretical foundation, the second day focused on an extended, hands-on communication workshop designed to practice facilitation techniques and dialogue strategies in high-conflict scenarios. The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Saeed and a certification ceremony for participating faculty.
Through these sessions, participants gained practical approaches to embedding constructive communication techniques within academic and peac ebuilding settings