Fethullah Gulen's Contribution to the Field of Conflict Resolution

(Video Duration: 35 mins. 31 secs.)

Karina Korostelina, Ph.D.

Karina Korostelina is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University and a Fellow of the European Research Centre of Migration and Ethnic Relations. She is a leading experts on identity-based conflicts, ethnic conflicts, the relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim populations, conflict resolution and peace building. Her recent interests include the study of civilian devastation, the processes of politicization of history and role of history education in conflict and post-conflict societies.

Dr. Korostelina speaks on “Fethullah Gulen’s Contribution to the Field of Conflict Analysis and Resolution” at Rumi Forum on March 30, 2011:

"…I was looking for some interesting theories, which can contribute and change somehow Western approaches to conflict resolution and Gulen came across because it was very articulate, very interesting even he is not a social scientist but his ideas were very strongly resonating with conflict resolution. At that time I had become involved I have participated in several conferences, already published several papers on Gulen and conflict resolution. Today I will speak generally about how we can see this fusion between conflict resolution theory is developed in western social sciences and how Fethullah Gulen can contribute to all deep understanding of such processes.

First of all Gulen speaks very strongly about importance of peace and conflict resolution, he is not using conflict resolution notion, but he is speaking about importance of positive perceptions between Muslim and non-muslin population. He told in 2004 and one of his articles today’s more than anything else our society is need of tolerance and this is the idea which go in all his ideas…"