Muhammad Ayaz Shafqat's Page

What motivated you (or your organization) to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

My interest in peace, conflict and development studies is based on many factors. Firstly, my living atmosphere which produced an incredible potential inside me to think and to find out this new emerging discipline. Being a citizen of The State of Jammu and Kashmir which is the largest and pro-long conflict in South Asia, I can imagine and realize suffering of people affected by conflict and war. I belong to volatile region of Jammu and Kashmir which certainly seeks the meaning and scope of peace and conflict resolution. This study will enable me to contribute toward the solution of this problem.
Secondly, we are living in a developing society. Conflict and extremism are hindrance to development, peace and prosperity. Our society is heterogeneous, ethnic and sectarian and communal conflicts are big challenges to our country. So studying and identifying the nature of conflicts and their peaceful resolution will be beneficial from my services towards society and the state.
Thirdly, my basic master degree in the discipline of English Language and Literature that gave me sense of universality and marvelous communication and convincing skills which are helping me to perform in the novelty academic discipline of Development, International Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

Muhammad Ayaz Shafqat was born in Kashmir. He is presently participating as Rotary Peace Fellow at Rotary Center for Peace & Conflict Studies Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Thailand. He is also performing as Program Officer Monitoring and Communications in Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF), a non-profit organization where the ultimate goal is a democratic, peaceful, environmentally friendly, socially viable and economically sustainable society. His IT Advance Diploma in Computer Studies facilitated him to remain up to mark with the styles of contemporary age. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir where History was in his major interests. His Masters in English Literature & Language is from National University of Modern Languages Islamabad where he won 25% scholarship due to the victim of October 08, 2005 Earthquake in Kashmir.
Besides my academic life, I have been actively engaging in social development and peace building activities. In recent disastrous earthquake in Pakistani Controlled Kashmir, I, as a volunteer, distributed relief items to the affected victims. With regards to the on going conflict in Kashmir, I have written several analytical articles with the proposal to the peaceful transformation of the conflict.
My previous working experience with different civil society organizations which are focusing on peace, democracy, human rights issues has strengthened my approach towards peoples’ empowerment. It is provoking me to establish a sample case for the people living in disputed territories and conflict areas to participate actively as a global citizen and voice their opinions for humanity.

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

Kashmir;
Pakistan & India:

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

Thailand

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Peace & Conflict Studies Program, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok:

What is your personal or organizational website?

http://www.kdfajk.org

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.rotary-chula.org/joomla

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.transcend.org

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Conflict Resolution, Development, Diplomacy, Gender, Media, Organizational Development, Policing, Terrorism

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Advocacy, Capacity Building, Communication, Curriculum Development, Evaluation, Monitoring, Program Administration, Program Implemenation, Research, Qualitative Skills, Quantitative Skills, Training

What are some of your current areas of research (if any)?

I have completed my Paper of Conflict Analysis researched on Kashmir Conflict and submitted to Rotary Center for Peace & Conflict Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok: