Religion and Peacebuilding
in Cambodia
Catherine Morris
Director, Peacemakers Trust
What is "Peacebuilding"?
Religion and Peacebuilding in Cambodia: Project Summary
Peacebuilding in Cambodia: The Role of Religion. Working Paper Executive Summary, January 2001
References from Project Literature Review
About Catherine Morris
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Peacemakers Trust director, Catherine Morris, conducted research on the role of religion in peacebuilding in Cambodia as part of a larger project from 2000 to 2003 on Religion and Peacebuilding by the University of Victoria's Centre for Studies in Religion and Society and Centre for Global Studies. Little scholarly or diplomatic attention has been given to the role of religion in peacebuilding or conflict resolution. The University of Victoria's Centre for Studies in Religion and Society identified the need to better understand the role of religion in peacebuilding, and through the leadership of its director untill 2002, Harold Coward, developed a collaboratively authored book that examines perspectives on peacebuilding of the world's major religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Confucianism, and Aboriginal traditions. The book also contains case study chapters on the role of religion in peacebuilding in Cambodia, Bosnia, South Africa, Ireland, and in interfaith activities. Ms. Morris, who has visited Cambodia for research or educational purposes eight times since 1995, wrote the case st udy on Cambodia in Religion and Peacebuilding, edited by Harold Coward and Gordon Smith (New York: State University of New York Press, 2003). The book is intended for use as a text or research resource in university educational settings in a variety of disciplines including international relations, conflict resolution, and religious studies.
Cambodia Project Summary
The research for the Cambodia case study included literature review as well as research visits to Cambodia to meet with religious and lay religious leaders, government officials, and leaders of non-governmental organizations involved in building civil society in Cambodia. Since relevant literature available in North America is very sparse, she also conducted literature research at resource libraries in Phnom Penh and libraries in Bangkok. Products of Ms. Morris's research include a working paper for Peacemakers Trust, as well as the case study chapter by Catherine Morris, "Case Studies in Religion and Peacebuilding," in Religion and Peacebuilding, edited by Harold Coward and Gordon Smith (New York: State University of New York Press, 2003).
Cambodia Project Partners
Catherine Morris's participation in this project was made possible through the funding support of:
- The Centre for Studies in Religion and Studies, University of Victoria, Canada;
- The Institute for Dispute Resolution, University of Victoria, Canada;
- Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria, BC, Canada;
- Clay & Company, Barristers & Solicitors, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Catherine Morris, BA, LLB, LLM
Catherine Morris is a lawyer with leadership experience in the field of conflict resolution since 1983 including research, education, program development, policy development in non-governmental organizations, professional organizations, academic settings, and court-related programs in Canada, the United States, Thailand, Cambodia and Bangladesh . . . >>more. Ms. Morris's work in Cambodia since 1995 includes:
- Religion and Peacebuilding: Cambodia case study: Research in Phnom Penh on the role of religion and peacebuilding in Cambodia for Centre for Studies in Religion and Society and Centre for Global Studies, University of Victoria. Phnom Penh, May-June, 2000; follow-up visit in February, 2002.
- September 11 and Afterwords in the Cambodian News: Research in Phnom Penh in February, 2002 on reporting in Cambodia's English language print media about "terrorism" in Cambodia and internationally from September 11, 2001 to February, 2002, for University of Victoria lecture given at a seminar for Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives, March 7, 2002
- Negotiation training workshop, Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia: Instructor for lawyers' training workshop in Phnom Penh conducted on behalf of the Canadian Bar Association, September, 2001.
- University of British Columbia graduate research in law, development and dispute resolution: Field research in Phnom Penh, October, 1998.
- Two workshops on public participation, dispute resolution and ombudsman principles, one for members of Cambodia's National Assembly and one for members and staff of the Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights and Reception of Complaints and NGO leaders, Phnom Penh, with University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution, British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General, International Ombudsman Institute (CIDA-SEAFILD), December 1996.
- Workshop for government officials and NGO leaders on dispute resolution and public participation: Project management, planning mission (September, 1995), and workshop presenter, Phnom Penh (November 1995) with University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution, British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General, International Ombudsman Institute (CIDA-SEAFILD).
- Capacity development in dispute resolution and public participation in Cambodia: Assessment mission to Cambodia with University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution and British Columbia Commission on Resources and Environment (CIDA), June 1995.
- See Ms. Morris's publications, presentations and other biography.
Go to References from Project Literature Review
Go to Peacebuilding in Cambodia: The Role of Religion. Working Paper Executive Summary, January 2001
Return to Peacebuilding in Cambodia - Resources
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