Jena Center for Reconciliation Studies (JCRS)

The Jena Center for Reconciliation Studies (JCRS), based within the Faculty of Theology at FSU Jena was founded in July 2013, to achieve theoretical understanding of the processes, measurements, and practices relevant to fostering relationships in contexts affected by violence, atrocities, genocides, wars, dictatorships, segregation, enslavement, and other crimes against humanity. Reconciliation Studies is a transdisciplinary and multiscale scientific field that focuses on individual, group, inter-group, and political dynamics.

JCRS looks at the dynamics of reconciliation processes for societies in conflict or transition, based on comparative international case studies. It addresses academic institutions and programs, as well as experts and scholars in the field of conflict transformation and peace studies. 

JCRS promotes a trans-disciplinary approach that integrates the fields of Theology, Philosophy, Religious Science, Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Law, Media Studies, Art, Social Geography and History. The JCRS also focuses on the of practices like trauma therapy, public policy, collective memory in reconciliation processes.

The JCRS involves four areas of expertise:

1. Research, through the Graduate Programme "Religion Conflict Reconciliation" (RCR), the Academic Alliance for Reconciliation In the Middle East and North Africa (AARMENA), and the "Martin-Buber-Forschungsstelle";
2. International and transdisciplinary Networks, including universities and NGOs from all over the world;
3. Manifold Events, Workshops, and Conferences - including the International Summer Schools "Societies in Transition";
4. Scientific Publications, including the series "Research in Peace and Reconciliation" (RIPAR).