Professor presents at international conference

Dec. 22, 2015

Dr. Tetyana Koshmanova, professor of socio-cultural studies, presented “Pathways to United Ukraine: Teacher Candidates Learn to Handle Intranational Conflict” at the 2015 International Conference on Education and New Developments conducted by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science in Porto, Portugal.

Dr. Koshmanova surveyed Ukrainian teacher candidates who were the Revolution of Dignity participants to develop an integrated program aimed at the development of students' dispositions of trust and acceptance of those who have different political views and ethnic roots. The study used conflict management as a theory and practice, and peer mediation, facilitation, simulation and academic service learning as pedagogies in order to empower the teacher candidates with dispositions of handling their own conflict experiences. The exit surveys of the participants showed a positive impact of the integrated program on resolving ethnopolitical conflict, on outgroup attitudes to forgiveness and reconciliation, and the relevance of educational programs aimed at diminishing conflict and promoting peace.