ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The British Council is seeking applications from interested individuals to attend a peace and conflict studies programme in UK.

The regional chevening peace and conflict studies programme, which is funded by the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, aims to bring together people from South Asia in a neutral environment, with a focus on the region‘s conflict situations, to share experience and understanding, and to build confidence.

According to a press release, the objectives of the course are: to explore and address peace and conflict issues prevailing in Saarc countries, to create an atmosphere conducive to open debate and exchange of views; to provide stimulating insights on the relevant issues through the UK‘s expertise and research; to examine case studies on peace and conflict resolution and to consider their relevance to and what lessons might be learnt for, the Saarc region.

The 12-week programme, starting mid January 2004, will run at INCORE (Institute for Conflict Resolution) at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.

Around 20 participants from Saarc countries will attend eight weeks of academic modules, two weeks of project work and two weeks on attachments relevant to peace and conflict work.

Participants will be drawn from civil servants, NGOs, media, academicians, students/researchers, military officers, police and diplomats.

Applicants must be less than 40 years of age on January 1, 2004 and have a Master‘s degree (or a four-year Bachelor‘s degree) from a recognized university in Pakistan or the equivalent from an overseas institution; they must be Pakistani citizens, dual nationals are ineligible; they must have at least five years‘ work experience, and must not have received a British government funded award or scholarship in the last three years.

An application form can be downloaded from the British Council Pakistan website www.britishcouncil.org.pk.