Role of Municipal and Regional Govenments in Conflict Resolution: A Case Study in Kars Region, Turkey

As have been discussed in an earlier blog entry, I am exploring the nature of cities and regions as para-diplomacy agents. This research will focus on the role of historic preservation in Kars Provence, Turkey. In July 2010, I will be traveling to Turkey to conduct research in this area in cooperation with Turkish colleagues. This will hopefully culminate in several papers to be published in indexed journals, a conference paper and possible grants with international organizations interested in non-violent conflict resolution.

The following is the abstract that has been submitted to the International Studies Association conference in Montreal, Canada to be held in March 2011. This should give to you a introduction to the research, I am pursuing.

Abstract:
The Role of Municipal and Regional Governments and Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs) as Para-Diplomatic Agents in Conflict Resolution in International Border Areas : A Case Study in the Kars Province in Turkey in Relation to the
Preservation of Russian and Armenia Historic Structures
Michael A. McAdams and Kocaman, Sinan
Political Science Department, SUNY-Fredonia, USA
Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Department of Primary Education, Agri, Turkey

The preservation of cultural/historic resources in international border areas can have far reaching consequences beyond the mere preservation of historic sites. They have the potential to act as “olive branches” between countries which have experienced long term conflicts and negative cultural memories. They also represent a means for additional revenue and employment due to tourism. Border areas in all continents have often been occupied and settled by different ethnic and nationalities before the establishment of the present modern borders. In the case of the Kars Province, in the northeastern portion of Turkey, this area was occupied by various ethnic groups and Empires (Armenian, Russian, Byzantine, Ottoman etc.) which were present before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Tensions in this area are still persisting as the border between Turkey and Armenia, including the Kars border-crossing, has been closed by Turkey in protest to the occupation by Armenia of Nagorno-Karabakh which was previously under the sovereignty of Azerbaijan Although it has long been recognized that cultural tourism is a source of economic development, the ability for cultural monuments to be elements in international diplomacy has been discounted. These monuments when they exist along national borders particularly carry very strong possibilities to be vehicles of reconciliation that will lead to long term improved economic, social and political conditions between countries which have experienced negative cultural memories. This paper will investigate the efforts of historic preservation in Kars by local governments and Non Profit Organization and its potential as an informal diplomatic or para-diplomatic vehicle between Turkey, Armenia and Russia.

What is the Role of Cities and Regions in Confict Resolution?

There is an increasing role of cities and regions in conflict resolution. Sub-units of national governments or other entities involvement in diplomacy has been termed para-diplomacy. Are regional and urban governmental units involved in international diplomacy enhancing or distracting from conflict resolution. I was researching this topic and found this interesting article from the Bologna Center Journal of International Affairs : http://bcjournal.org/2007/paradiplomacy/

I will be exploring this concept as related to some of my forthcoming research.

Requests for Manuscirpts for Upcoming Volume of Urbana

Announcement
The online journal Urbana: Urban Affairs and Public Policy (ISSN 2151-1896) located
at http://www.tamuk.edu/geo/Urbana/ is interested in receiving manuscripts
for it upcoming volume. This is a peer reviewed journal concerning urban policy,
urban affairs, urbanism, urban planning and urban theory. Of particular interest would be those that are related to urbanism in Latin American.
Please send your manuscripts to Dr. Jesús A. Treviño C . at jtrevino41@hotmail.com
or Dr. Michael A. McAdams at michaelamcadams@yahoo.com

Importance of Leadership in “Disturbing the Vortex” and Relational Planning

Many urban areas seem to be “churning in the vortex” of chronic problems of underemployment, deindustrialization, and population decline. The lack of coordination between different levels of government, the business community, non-profit organizations and citizens are at the root of these problems. Long range plans can be developed, but are useless without a consensus among decision-makers. It would appear that what makes successful cities is a leader with a vision and who has the ability to form coalitions across many diverse groups. These ideas are founded on those of Patsy Healey (Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle (UK)) and Jaime Learner (urban planner, former mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, and consultant). The notion is that successful changes in urban environment must “disturb the vortex” that is upset the present way of doing things in an urban area. Disturbing the vortex consists of seemingly “radical” actions that put an urban area on a new path. This may be such actions as: “urban farming”-turning vacant land into gardens or farms, retraining and entrepreneurial ventures to encourage post-industrial firms to relocate or to form such as those devoted to software developers, Internet commerce, high precision instrument manufacturing, green technology, and consulting; and encouraging public transit friendly development. A regional focus must be encouraged. However, key is one leader or a dedicated group that can forms a consensus and commitment for long term change. While this is a proven path for change, the obstacles preening them are substantial, particularly in a time of limited funding and a retreat attitude in urban areas. Yet once a coalition is made and changes start, they take on their own energy. The real problem is the initiation of these changes. This is also inherent in the concept of “fractal planning” as expressed in earlier blogs. Fractals are generated by the initiation of a set of “rules”. The complex formation of a fractal initiates from simple rules, one stating action and the iteration of the rules. In urban planning, this would be consist to the development of a working group, development of policy and the implementation of the policy. While physical land use plans are important tools, they are nothing without commuted leadership, guiding policy and implementation.

Accomodating Bicycles and Pedestrians: A Parisian example

BRT in Curitiba

Interesting lecture on complexity

David Korowicz - Complexity, Economy, Civilisation & Collapse from Feasta on Vimeo.

urban street transformation in Curitiba, Brazil

Urban Shaman

In tribal societies, the shaman would cover him/herself with animal clothing to symbolism transformation from a human form to an animal one. This was to change the perceptions of the participants of rituals to think in different realities. In shamanistic societies, animal spirits take on the role of transformer and dispenser of wisdom. In modern day societies, we have individuals that provide urban residents with transforming visions to go from the present to a future reality. The first step for urban transformation, is to make citizens and decision-makers dream. It is unfortunate that these leaders are not as prevalent as would be desired. Elected and non-elected officials (such as urban planners) confuse and keep obsololete ideas and actions churning interrelated vortexes which are losing their energy. Such is the case with many urban issues including energy, the environment and social justice in urbanized areas. There is a need for “urban shamans” who “dance” the visions of a new reality so that cities can again be dynamic places and the engines of social, economic, and political change.

The Embedded Mind: A Footnote

The above video is that of the Third Movement of the Second Piano Concerto by Beethoven preformed by well-known pianist Claudio Abbado with the conductor Mikhail Pletnev. The date and location is unknown How does the embedded mind go from the implanted RAM to produce music such as this that transcends one to another level of consciousness? Yet, the embedded mind in humans can cause war, destruction, poverty, murder, and despair. It can emerge in an individual such as the Dalia Lama to bring messages of hope, joy and laughter for mankind and likewise manifest itself in scores of horrific individuals such as Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, and others whose primary purpose to plunge whole societies into collective destruction. Attempting to uncover the reasons is an exercise in futility. To prevent such individuals from taking over the collective consciousness of whole societies is a worthy idealistic goal that should never be relinquished. In the present we must revel in the sublime creations of those such as Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and others to remind ourselves that we can rise above the mundane to great heights.