John McGarry is one of the world鈥檚 foremost experts in conflict resolution and peacekeeping. At the moment, he鈥檚 the lead advisor on governance in the UN-led negotiations in Cyprus.
But his Trudeau Foundation lecture at Dal last week spoke to a much more modest conflict: that between the aspirations of students in the humanities and social sciences, and their more immediate concerns.
鈥淭he idea was to inspire the younger generation that when they go into the library and their lectures to think beyond the marks, the exams and degree and realize that really can make a difference studying the arts and social sciences,鈥� explained Dr. McGarry, speaking to Dal News last week.
鈥淧eople understand how doctors and engineers make a difference in people鈥檚 lives, but people don鈥檛 think that way of the arts. But depending on what you do, and there are many different ways to have an impact influencing government, advising on policy, bringing your expertise and insight to international organizations.鈥�
Resolution focused
Dr. McGarry鈥檚 work bridges academia 鈥� he鈥檚 a political science professor and Canada Research Chair in Nationalism and Democracy at Queen鈥檚 鈥� and advisory work. In 2008-09, for example, he was the first senior advisor on power sharing at the United Nations. And he鈥檚 the editor, co-editor and co-author of twelve books on the academic and practical aspects of ethnic conflict resolution.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 come with a model from somewhere else and say 鈥榟ere, try this,鈥� because every place is different,鈥� he says, when asked about advising in conflict resolution. 鈥淏ut there can still be approaches that have been taken in particular places that may have benefit somewhere else.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 arbitrate in my line of work, where you come from outside and force a decision," he continues. "But you don't simply mediate, listening to both sides and say what is best. What you do is bring ideas, get the two sides to talk about solving their problems, and get them to udnerstand and buy into what they鈥檙e saying so that the ideas become genuinely theirs.鈥�
Personal insight
Dr. McGarry grew up in conflict-torn Northern Ireland, a Catholic boy in a largely Protestant town. He says that experience as a minority in conflict not only influenced the direction his career has taken, but how he approaches his work.
鈥淚鈥檝e advocated for minorities as opposed to institutions that would lead to majorities governing minorities, and I鈥檝e advocated decentralization so that minorities can have some degree of self-government. But of course, when you鈥檙e engaged in conflict resolution, you have to advocate for the protection or accommodation of minorities in ways the majority can accept. Otherwise, it鈥檚 not realistic.鈥�
Dr. McGarry鈥檚 lecture was presented by the Trudeau Foundation and Dalhousie鈥檚 Centre for Foreign Policy Studies.