Peace and Conflict Studies Commons^™

The Role Of Design Thinking In Edtech Startups, Toluwani Victor Aliu

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

A move toward user-centered methods to innovation has been garnering attention due to the realization that consumers and users may offer possibilities and expertise. An innovative strategy that infuses creativity with user-centeredness is design thinking. Despite this, design thinking has received little attention in startups, particularly in the EdTech sector. Even while design thinking has become quite popular, there is a need for empirical study on design thinking in startups. This is because the majority of the research has been on large organizations. The paper explicates how design thinking facilitates the implementation of methodologies through iterative development, empathy mapping, and …

Acknowledgment, Yaljod 5.1, Florian Cyril Mshanga

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Acknowledgment from Florian Cyril Mshanga, Vice President, Governance & Operations, Young African Leaders Forum (YALF)

Reviving Pan-Africanism For The 21st Century: A Framework For Youth-Led Continental Governance Reform, Ugochukwu Mercy Prince-Ifoh

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This paper explores the historical trajectory, current stagnation, and potential revival of PanAfricanism with a strong emphasis on youth leadership as the engine of governance reform across the African continent. By tracing the intellectual and political contributions of renowned leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Thomas Sankara, the study identifies foundational principles of unity, sovereignty, and collective progress. The paper critically evaluates the Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), highlighting opportunities and limitations for youth participation. It also conducts a comparative analysis of regional youth governance structures and proposes practical frameworks to institutionalize youth-led reforms. The paper …

Reimagining Youth Agency In Africa: Programs, Progress, And A Continental Vision (Closing Feature Article), Dennis Munene

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This edition has curated the ideas, research, and praxis of young intellectuals and practitioners across the continent. As Vice President in charge of Programs and Development (Strategies), I am pleased to provide a retrospective of our continental programs and initiatives and project the path we envision in shaping Africa's future.

Decoding The Future: African Parliaments, The 4ir, And The Ai Revolution, Bravin Onditi, Immanuel Mwendwa Kiilu

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (41R), propelled by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), is ushering in a profound transformation across Africa's economies, governance systems, and societies. For African parliaments, there is an incredible challenge on the governance front, but the opportunities are unprecedented. This paper examines the range of biases, data insecurities, and inequalities the democracies of the continent face, while detailing how African legislatures can instate frameworks to govern and design AI function within the democracies of the continent. As seen in the examples of Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, this paper outlines the disparity between the astounding rates …

An Investigative Analysis Of How African Youth Can Drive Economic Integration By Taking Up Agriculture As A Means Of Economic Livelihood, Gerald Kihara Muchiri

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The paper explores how African youth can drive economic integration by using agriculture as an economic means of livelihood. Despite being Africa's most vital asset, African youth remain underrepresented in continental development initiatives and continue to stagnate as they face structural challenges such as perennial unemployment. The recent promulgation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme hold immense promise to improve the lives of millions of African youths if leveraged appropriately. This paper concludes that Africa's youth could be the continent's engine to propel sustainable economic growth if their potential is harnessed appropriately, …

Front Matter, Yaljod 5.1, Sombo Muzata

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Includes: Editorial Review by Dr. Sombo Muzata, Editor in Chief, Young African Leaders Journal of Development; Foreword by Prof. Plo-Lumumba; Foreword by Prof. Tim Kiruhi; and Preface by Prince C. lfoh, Founder and President, Young African Leaders Forum (YALF).

Promoting Women’S Land Ownership Rights In Tanzania: The Role Of Wlac As A Legal Empowerment Ngo, Norbeth Sixbert

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Despite Tanzania's progressive legal frameworks that recognize women's rights to own and inherit land, significant gaps remain between policy and practice. This paper explores the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in promoting women's land ownership rights, using the Women's Legal Aid Centre (WLAC) as a case study. Located in Kinondoni Municipal, Dar es Salaam, WLAC employs a multifaceted approach that empowers women and safeguards their land rights. While WLAC has achieved notable success, challenges exist and are exacerbated by overlapping statutory and customary legal systems that often disadvantage women. WLAC's multilateral engagement has helped to navigate these obstacles, yet structural …

Mainstreaming Africa’S Third Sector For Africa’S Development, Thoko J. Mthiko

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

After independence, most African governments pursued public sector based economic development strategies based on import substitution which were considered to be key to rapid industrialization and modernization oflow-income countries. This public sector-led economic development however, proved to be unsustainable. There were severe economic crises associated with lack of growth, high inflation, rising internal and foreign debts, crumbling infrastructure and shortage of essential commodities. Protected from competition, the public sector and its enterprises failed to innovate, relied on inappropriate capital-intensive technologies, and became dependent on imported inputs. With this, came the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP's) where the public sector became the …

Zakat For Financing Sustainable Development In Africa: Opportunities And Challenges, Shawgei Salah Ahmed Ismaeil

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The issue of Zakat and financing of SDGs has become an issue that economic, social and environmental researchers have raised, especially after the recent economic crisis. This is owing to Zakat dependence on the self-effort of societies and communities. Zakat supports the economic, social and environmental structure of societies. Africa, undoubtedly, needs to reduce poverty and hunger without preconditions by donors to change laws and the way of life of Africans. This task can be done through Islamic financing and Zakat. This paper puts this issue at the forefront of events for further study and research to rethink the practical …

Robotics In Agriculture: Challenges And Opportunities For Net-Zero – A Case For Africa, Oluwafemi Royal Aliu

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Evidence of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are set to reposition the practice and process of agriculture. This study addressed vital issues in agriculture such as the need for a 70% increase in food production by 2050 because of population growth, technology, and other issues sweeping human livelihood, and are challenges of food insecurity which is currently affecting more than 820 million people globally. Emphasis was placed on the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in curbing agricultural challenges in facts such as climate change, water scarcity, and pest management. The study identifies collaboration between different fields such as …

Yaljod Full Issue 5.1, Sombo Muzata

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This issue brings together a compelling collection of scholarly articles that reflect the dynamic intersection of ethics, technology, governance, and social justice in Africa's development discourse. The contributions span diverse sectors including artificial intelligence, education, agriculture, legal empowerment, and economic integration. The articles offer both critical insights and actionable frameworks as Africa continues to implement its African Union Agenda 2063 plan. This work, written by up-and-coming African scholars demonstrates the commitment to scholarship on African issues, focused on Africa by Africans. This has been our goal at the Young African Leaders Journal of Development i.e., to advance scholarship on pertinent …

Chinese Communist Party Infiltration Of U.S. Pacific Islands: Protecting American National Security Through Defending Strategic Pacific Assets, Contessa Amedore

Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy

Many Americans picture the U.S.’s Western most border to be the coast of California. However, when threats have historically formed in the Pacific, U.S. Pacific Island territories have served as the nation’s first line of defense. Today, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have slowly but ambitiously deployed new age or ‘unrestricted’ warfare tactics against the United States and allies in their long awaited plan to assume global hegemony. Their illegal infiltration and psychological operations have gone past Taipei and reached American soil in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. This paper examines how the (CCP) uses unrestricted warfare …

Securitizing Kinmen: China’S Gray Zone Strategy And The Evolution Of The Kinmen Model, Ian Murphy

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

This paper examines the evolving dynamics of cross-strait relations through the lens of securitization theory, focusing on China’s strategic deployment of what it calls the Kinmen Model and its implications for regional security. While existing discourse predominantly concentrates on a potential full-scale invasion of Taiwan, this study shifts attention to the strategic significance of the outlying islands and the nuanced employment of securitization to exert indirect control. Utilizing Vuori’s (2008) framework for analyzing securitization in non-democratic contexts, this research conducts a discourse analysis of nineteen Chinese language media sources to dissect the speech acts employed by Chinese media and their …

Heutagogy In Education: Transforming The Learner Experience, Andrej Iliev, Nevena Serafimova, Anita Ilieva Nikolovska, Dimitar Bogatinov, Aleksandar Petrovski, Biljana Karovska

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Heutagogy (pronounced hyoo-tuh-goh-jee), derived from the Greek word "heureske," meaning "to discover," is closely related to heuristic learning. Coined by Hase and Kenyon in 2000, heutagogy refers to self-determined learning that operates independently of traditional teaching structures. Unlike pedagogy and andragogy, which emphasize teacher-directed instruction, heutagogy shifts the focus to learner autonomy, allowing students to choose what and how they learn.

Heutagogy represents a shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered education, grounded in two key philosophical approaches: humanism and constructivism. Humanism places the learner at the center of the educational process, while constructivism emphasizes active, self-determined learning. Although andragogy, which focuses …

Curriculum Insertion Proposal For The Academic-Military Education: The Rising Of Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas/Drones) In Modern Combat, Tiago Marques Dos Santos Filho

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

The use of drones in the latest generation of combat has revolutionized military operations, offering new tactical and strategic-operational capabilities. Based on the author's practical experience and reference literature, using UAS in urban combat, peacekeeping missions, and jungle operations has proven to be extremely effective, providing significant advantages in terms of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and air support. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, drones allow the collection of real-time critical information, assisting quick and accurate decision-making. This background raises the question of whether it is relevant to formally address this topic in academic-military undergraduation. The main hypothesis, that the …

The Potential Impact Of Simulation Based Learning In The Kosovo Security Force, Brikena Avdyli, Arbesa Zenuni

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

As the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) undergoes a strategic transformation into a fully operational military force, the need for modern and adaptive training methods has become increasingly urgent. While recent investments have focused on personnel growth, weapon procurement, and defense infrastructure, the integration of simulation-based learning (SBL) into training programs has not yet been considered. This study explores the potential of SBL - particularly virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and wargaming - as a tool for enhancing the readiness and adaptability of KSF personnel. Drawing on existing literature, the study evaluates the benefits and challenges of each technology in …

Itegration Of Emerging Technologies In Cybersecurity Education, Dimitar Bogatinov, Nevena Serafimova, Aleksandar Petrovski, Andrej Iliev, Biljana Karovska

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) are revolutionizing cybersecurity education by offering immersive, interactive learning experiences tailored to the tech-savvy Generation Z and Alpha learners. Traditional educational methods are increasingly inadequate for preparing students to navigate the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

Virtual labs, AI-driven tutors, and cyber training environments create dynamic learning opportunities where students can engage in realistic simulations to develop critical skills in threat detection, response, and mitigation. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, rapid technological advancements, and a shortage of qualified instructors complicate the integration of these technologies.

Despite these challenges, …

Military Academic-Scientific Production In Times Of Generative Ai: Ethical Boundaries And Challenges For Strategic Stability, Arlindo J. Barros Junior, Rômulo F. Santos, Weslei J. Batista

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

The adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies, which includes Artificial Intelligence (AI), has driven profound transformations across various sectors and in human behavior in recent years, permeating nearly all fields of knowledge. In this context, the use of AI as a tool to support academic-scientific production cannot be considered an exception. Additionally, there is a growing need for AI literacy for its users, for regulation and for the establishment of criteria to ensure these technologies are employed ethically and responsibly. In light of this global trend, the Brazilian Army has been seeking ways to regulate, manage, and optimize the use …

Simulation-Based Learning In Security Studies: A Rubric-Guided Approach To Nato–Russia Dynamics On The Korean Peninsula, Travis Morris, Yangmo Ku, Maggie Mitchell

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This article examines the implementation and efficacy of a team-taught simulation-based learning series designed to deepen students’ understanding of NATO–Russia interactions on the Korean Peninsula. Drawing on the principles of Bloom’s Taxonomy and guided by a comprehensive rubric, this framework provides a structured, progressive approach to developing learners’ analytical, evaluative, and creative competencies. Through six sequential simulations using the SEERIST platform—culminating in strategic policy recommendations—students enhance their ability to recall foundational knowledge, apply complex concepts, analyze multifaceted scenarios, evaluate diverse outcomes, and propose innovative solutions. The article discusses theoretical underpinnings, the design and implementation of the simulation series, the associated …

Modernizing Military Education In Kosovo: From Theory To Practice Through Innovation And Technology, Linda Ziberi, Dardan Syla

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This paper examines the need for Kosovo's Military Academy (KMA) to modernize its education system, particularly its necessity to transition from a theory-based methodology to more modern and innovative teaching and training approaches that incorporate advanced technology. Despite ongoing institutional development, the Kosovo Military Academy continues to rely on traditional teaching methods, which limits its capacity to prepare cadets for the demands of modern military operations. Barriers such as limited funding, outdated infrastructure, and resistance to pedagogical change further complicate efforts to modernize.

To address these challenges, the paper advocates for the adoption of modern, learner-centered strategies, including Simulation and …

What Is The Point Of Reading War Literature In The Military Academy: Reflection Of Contemporary Warfare Through The Siege Motif In Serhiy Zhadan’S How Fire Descends: New And Selected Poems, Dong-Ha Seo

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This study argues that war poetry, when critically read in military education, enables cadets to engage with the ethical, psychological, and human dimensions of war. Rather than serving as propaganda or glorification of battle, war poetry voices the unspoken suffering of soldiers and civilians and preserves the memory of trauma. Drawing on Nil Santiáñez’s recent work on the symbiosis between war and language, this article situates war writing as a space where questions of knowledge, ethics, and survival are inevitably confronted. In particular, the works of Serhiy Zhadan and Cho Ji-hoon demonstrate how poetry transforms urban conflict into a record …

The Greatest Victory: Teaching Strategy And Peace Through Negotiation, W. Chad Austin

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This article examines how structured negotiation instruction, centered on the Circle of Value framework, enhances the critical and strategic thinking skills of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Drawing on experiential learning, role-play simulations, and case studies—such as U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan—the article demonstrates how cadets apply integrative negotiation techniques to real-world geopolitical scenarios. The Circle of Value framework emphasizes interest-based negotiation, objective criteria, creative option generation, and the development of mutually beneficial outcomes. Through written analysis, live negotiation exercises, and reflective feedback, cadets build key competencies in communication, decision-making under pressure, and conflict resolution. The paper …

Language Alignment And Career Outcomes In International Military Education: A Study Of United States Military Academy Graduates, Erin Lemons

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Host country/sending country language alignment is an understudied topic within the field of international military education. While individual-level language barriers are recognized, this study asks how national-level language proficiency levels can influence international military graduates’ retention. International cadets from countries with lower proficiency in the host nation’s language may be selected primarily for their language skills rather than their military potential. Moreover, the acquisition of the host nation’s language and culture during international cadets’ studies may increase the attractiveness of private-sector opportunities upon their return home. At the same time, countries with lower proficiency levels in the host language may …

In Extremis: An International Perspective On Military Leadership Training In Extreme Situations, Sarah Von Felten

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This comparative study explores how military leadership is developed and executed in extreme situations across diverse national contexts, including Switzerland, South Africa, India, Israel, and Canada. Each country adapts its leadership training and doctrine based on historical experiences, operational demands, and institutional culture. While some militaries, like Canada, emphasize values-based leadership aligned with democratic principles, others, such as India, prioritize cultural ethos and leading by example. Conscription-based systems like Israel’s and Switzerland`s rely heavily on early, experiential leadership, while professional forces like South Africa focus on psychological resilience and adaptability. Training approaches range from academic and doctrinal frameworks to immersive, …

Editor's Note, Leandrit Mehmeti

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This special issue of the Journal of Peace, Conflict and Security Studies (JPCSS) originates from the International Symposium of Military Academies (ISOMA) 2025, held in Prishtina, Kosovo, on November 11–13, 2025 and hosted by the Kosovo Defense Academy (KDA). The symposium convened scholars, military educators, policymakers, and practitioners from across the world to examine how military education can effectively adapt to the emerging demands and complexities of the twenty-first century. The overarching theme,“Adapting Military Education for 21st Century Challenges: Innovations in Teaching and Learning for Global Security”, encapsulates the necessity for transformation, interdisciplinary dialogue, and technological integration within modern defense …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Project Hourglass Dan Representasi Multidimensional Perbatasan Israel-Mesir, Dhannya Febryana

Multikultura

The Israel–Egypt border functions not merely as a geographic demarcation, but as a social, political, and cultural space imbued with symbolic meaning. Since its establishment in 1906 up to the construction of Project Hourglass in 2010, this border has shifted from a colonial administrative line to a fragile symbol of peace and a site of global securitization. This study employs a qualitative approach based on literature review and representational analysis, drawing on Stuart Hall’s representation theory as well as David Newman and Anssi Paasi’s concepts of borders in area studies. The findings reveal that the Israel-Egypt border is represented through …

Grievance Redress Mechanisms For Commons: Evaluating The Design And Effectiveness Of Public Land Protection Cells In Rajasthan, India, Pooja Chandran

Journal of Law and Public Policy

Encroachment on common land represents a significant governance challenge in India. Weak institutions, irregular enforcement, and power imbalances often leave marginalised communities more vulnerable to eviction than others. This article examines the design and effectiveness of Public Land Protection Cells (PLPCs)—a judicially mandated grievance redressal mechanism in Rajasthan—in addressing common land encroachment disputes. Drawing on an analysis of cases before the Rajasthan High Court, field observations, and stakeholder interviews, it evaluates how PLPCs address enforcement gaps and promote accountability. Using the United Nations Guiding Principles 31 as a foundation, the article develops a contextualised framework to assess PLPCs to highlight …

Be Seriously Scared! A Shot Across The Bow Toward Nuclear Disarmament, The Lender Center For Social Justice, Syracuse University

The Lender Center for Social Justice

A save-the-date poster for a lecture on the future of nuclear disarmament.