​Paths Toward Peace
Reconciliation in Theory and Practice
The 7th Annual Conference of
the International Association for Reconciliation Studies (IARS)
June 19–22, 2026
Nicosia, Cyprus
Full conference details, including program, keynote speakers, fees, travel information, and accommodation recommendations, will be announced in early 2026
Meanwhile, you can reach out to us via this email: iars.cyprus.2026@gmail.com
ABOUT NICOSIA AND CYPRUS
Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Cyprus has long been a meeting point of civilizations, cultures, and faiths. Its capital, Nicosia, is the world’s last divided capital city—a living testimony to both the persistence of conflict and the enduring pursuit of peace. Across its narrow buffer zone, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots continue to live in parallel yet interconnected worlds, offering a compelling case for exploring reconciliation, trust, and coexistence in divided societies. The island’s rich layers of history, religion, memory, and identity provide a unique environment in which to examine the multiple meanings of reconciliation—political, cultural, and emotional.
For these reasons, Nicosia serves as an ideal location for the 2026 IARS Conference, inviting participants to reflect on what it means to build bridges in places where division is both visible and deeply felt, and to draw inspiration from the everyday acts of coexistence and dialogue that quietly persist across communities.
THEMES
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The conference welcomes paper and panel proposals broadly related to in theory and practice, including but not limited to:
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Theories and Models of Reconciliation
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Reconciliation in Divided or Post-Conflict Societies
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Reconciliation and Foreign Policy
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Reconciliation, Memory, and Identity in Divided Communities
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Reconciliation and Security Politics
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Reconciliation and Transitional Justice
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Reconciliation and Truth, Forgiveness, and Accountability
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Reconciliation and Historical Antagonisms or Atrocities
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Reconciliation and State Violence
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Reconciliation and Colonialism or Imperialism
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Reconciliation and Economics or Development
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Reconciliation and Migration
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Reconciliation and Refugee Studies
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Reconciliation and Cultural Heritage
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Reconciliation, Religion, and Social Justice
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Reconciliation and Interfaith Dialogue
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Reconciliation and the Role of Civil Society
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Reconciliation, Women, and Gender Justice
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Reconciliation and Youth Engagement
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Reconciliation and Marginalized or Displaced Communities
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Applications of Reconciliation Theory in Contemporary Societies
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Human Security, Peace and Reconciliation
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Reconciliation and Global Structures
We also welcome alternative submissions, including workshops, book talks, roundtables, and film screenings.
ABOUT IARS & RECONCILIATION STUDIES
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The International Association for Reconciliation Studies (IARS) hosts a conference in a different part of the world each year—rotating between Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa—to promote global inclusivity and dialogue.
Reconciliation Studies is a relatively young research paradigm that emerged from the experiences of “transitional” societies such as South Africa and Rwanda. It is distinct from classical peace and conflict research: while conventional peace approaches often emphasize structural and institutional dimensions, Reconciliation Studies focuses on the relational, emotional, and cognitive aspects of conflict prevention, transformation, and resolution—without neglecting structural or systemic factors.
From this perspective, reconciliation asks how normal and, if possible, good relations can be (re)established within a society at all levels—intrapersonal, interpersonal, intercollective, and institutional—taking into account both top-down and bottom-up processes.
Reconciliation is not only a private or interpersonal matter. It also requires policies of reconciliation: truth-telling and accountability; justice and reparations; truth and reconciliation commissions; victim–perpetrator dialogue; and the creation of public spaces for memory and social healing. Truth and justice—especially restorative justice—are central components of Reconciliation Studies, integrating the needs of victims, perpetrators, and broader societies.
IARS conferences provide an inclusive space where case studies, theories, models, and conceptual frameworks of reconciliation are brought into dialogue with contemporary global issues such as social justice, ecological sustainability, migration, refugee experiences, and memory studies.
The conference is genuinely inter- and transdisciplinary, drawing from psychology, philosophy, education, sociology, economics, law, political science, history, regional studies, communication studies, art, and theology.