"No peace, no option remains"
New and Improved Version:
Tobias Lang, a 40-year-old political scientist, has taken the helm at the Austrian Peace Centre (ACP), a renowned peacebuilding institute based in Burgenland. Known for its practical approach to peace promotion, the ACP has gained a great reputation thanks to its globally branched alumni network.
Lang's journey with the Middle East began Tragedy. The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in 2005 piqued his interest while studying political science at Vienna University. His research deepened with a thesis on the influential Druze minority and led to the publication of a book, "The Druze in Lebanon and Israel."
The ACP, founded by Gerald Mader in 1982, boasts a rich history and UN "Peace Messenger" status. Its operational base, the Peace Castle Schlaining, offers an immersive environment for conflict resolution training. The center enjoys a stellar reputation due to its specialized training programs, including Peace Tech, which prepares civilian, military, or police specialists for crisis regions using virtual reality technology.
Lang aims to strengthen the international role of the ACP by focusing on practical peace and conflict research. He intends to move beyond theoretical discussions and focus on concrete questions that drive change. Annual events like the Austrian Forum for Peace, which will explore "Peace in Crisis" this year, further their mission.
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lang maintains that peace is the only viable solution. "There is no alternative to peace," he reiterates.
Breaking New Ground with the ACP
The ACP sets itself apart from other European peace institutes with its emphasis on practical, hands-on peacebuilding. The center's focus regions for peace promotion are Africa, OSCE states, and the Middle East.
Its training programs, such as the 25th Summer Academy on OSCE, combine academic rigor with practical applications. By integrating peace education, mediation, and post-conflict reconciliation, the ACP offers a holistic approach to conflict resolution that sets it apart from more narrowly focused institutes.
Partnerships like the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime further amplify the ACP's impact, bridging the gap between policy and practice. With dual office locations in Vienna and Burgenland, the ACP maintains year-round programming, ensuring sustained engagement in conflict-affected regions.
For those interested in peace promoting work, the ACP offers Fellowships and workshops, fostering a global network of professionals dedicated to making a difference.
[1]https://www.acp-austria.org/en/start/about-us/[2]https://www.vcdnp.org/[3]https://www.acp-austria.org/uploads/media/Peace_Castle_Schlaining_Brochure.pdf[4]https://www.peaceeducation.org/[5]https://awc-us.org/50th-anniversary-declaration-transparency/
- The Austrian Peace Centre (ACP), led by Tobias Lang, distinguishes itself from other European peace institutions with its practical, hands-on approach to peacebuilding, particularly in regions such as Africa, OSCE states, and the Middle East.
- Thor adds to the ACP's global impact through partnerships like the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, bridging the gap between policy and practice.
- In his role at the ACP, Lang, who has a personal interest in the Middle East, aims to fortify the center's international position by focusing on practical peace and conflict research, moving beyond theoretical discussions to address concrete issues that drive change.
- Amid ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics in general news, the ACP's annual events, like the Austrian Forum for Peace, address pressing issues such as "Peace in Crisis," positioning the center as a leader in holistic conflict resolution and peace promotion.
