Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies

With great sadness we share the news that Simon Fisher has passed away -

Simon has made a great many contributions to the theory and practice of peace around the world: He was a great champion and founder of the Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) Ma and PhD programs, and deeply committed to making accessible opportunities for people from conflict affected communities to have opportunities to study, reflect, and learn from one another. During his tenure as a CPCS Board member, Simon’s wisdom, steady guidance, commitment, and practice solutions helped CPCS to develop its core approaches and values. Simon has been a teacher and mentor to so many peace practitioners across Asia - and the world - and his teachings are a legacy that will continue.

Please join us in honoring his memory by sharing a story or message of condolences to his family as they celebrate his life.

Aligning our respective efforts for peace - always in an airport and always blessed.

After 20 years of visionary leadership, we said farewell (for now!) to Dr. Emma Leslie, our founding Executive Director & Senior Adviser. Emma’s commitment to our values, showing up, and the power of people and partnership will forever shape our peace work.

Thank you Emma, for teaching us to keep our values, our authenticity, our humanity and humor to ground us as we embrace challenges and change.

While Emma will continue to lend her expertise to CPCS as a consultant, we're thrilled to watch her fly with Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators and other exciting ventures. Power on to you in this next era!

✨ Are you ready to lead courageous conversations and shape peace across Asia?

The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) is looking for a Peacebuilder to join our regional team based in Cambodia.

You’ll design and facilitate transformative dialogues, accompany key peace partners, and contribute to reflective peace practice approaches:

💬 Engage in deep conflict analysis

🤝 Facilitate strategic meetings and regional forums

🎓 Support learning and leadership development

🧭 Work independently and collaboratively across diverse contexts

We’re looking for someone curious, committed, and courageous—someone who listens deeply, adapts quickly, and thrives in multicultural spaces.

If you’re seeking purpose-driven work and want to be part of a team that values trust, excellence, and continued learning—this might be your next step.

📍 Full-time | Based in Cambodia 🗓 Apply by Nov 15

For details on Job Description, visit our website - https://www.centrepeaceconflictstudies.org/job-vacancy-for-peacebuilder/

📩 Send your letter of motivation and CV to: [email protected]

We are pleased to share that Sadia Chaudhary is joining CPCS through the Rotary Peace Fellowship to enhance her learning and peace practice. Here’s what she hopes to learn during her time with us:

"My internship with CPCS is a unique opportunity to work alongside visionary peacebuilders who are leading transformative change toward peace and inclusion across Asia. Alongside my studies in Peace and Conflict Studies at Uppsala University, Sweden, it enables me to turn theory into practice, deepening my understanding of transformative leadership, and community-driven approaches that translate dialogue into action. I aim to carry these lessons back to my own context, where locally led solutions can build the foundations for sustainable peace."

The ACTS programme is calling for application! Click on the link to learn more about this 2-year part-time hybrid programme for peacebuilders!

Centre For Peace & Conflict Studies » ACTS MA Programme The ACTS MA programme offers a unique theory-practice approach to learning conflict transformations as students are exposed to academic theories, research methodologies, and up-to-date analysis of conflicts in the Asia Pacific region. Through a combination of in-person residential seminars and onlin...

The CPCS Advisory Board meeting with our leadership last month to provide guidance and direction as we look ahead. Our advisory board members - Ramji Neupane, Karlos Manlupig, Dr Manoj Kumar, Jularat Damrongviteetham, and Board Chair Dr Soth Plai Ngarm - bring a wealth of wisdom and experience from peace work across Asia. They are actively engaged in our strategy and analysis sessions.

Thank you for your leadership and support!

Join the Peacebuilding Perspectives Conversation Series, facilitated by Dr. Tania Miletic at the Initiative for Peacebuilding, University of Melbourne, featuring CPCS Senior Advisor Dr. Emma Leslie.

With over 30 years of experience in peace processes across Asia, Emma will share insights from her work accompanying negotiations and fostering dialogue in the region.

📅 August 25 | 🕚 10:00am–11:00am Cambodia time

For more details and to register for the online seminar, visit:

Accompanying peace and conflict transformation processes with Dr Emma Leslie Accompanying peace and conflict transformation processes with Dr Emma Leslie

✨ That’s a wrap on !

More than 120 came together in Siem Reap to reflect, connect, and re‑energize their commitment to building a just and peaceful region. Amid heartfelt discussions, exchanges, and shared smiles, here’s what we’re taking home:

1️⃣ Positive peace needs constant reflection – Even in a world turning inward, we must keep asking what genuine, values‑driven peace looks like in our region, beyond simply ending conflict.

2️⃣ Lead with empathy and values – This is the foundation of trust and transformation.

3️⃣ Peace demands adaptive thinking – We can’t rely on old paradigms to solve today’s challenges.

4️⃣ Solidarity keeps hope alive – In moments of crisis, resist the pull back into isolation; lean into collaboration and shared trust across communities.

5️⃣ Peace grows in informal moments – Building peace out there is easier when we nurture it within ourselves… sometimes the best breakthroughs happen in the in‑between moments outside the formal sessions.

If these don’t capture your learning, we’d love to hear from you! Share your takeaway in the comments — we want to listen to you too 💬

Atikah advocates for a peace infrastructure to address the lack of recognition for indigenous territories in Indonesia and the associated systemic marginalisation of indigenous populations.
Applied Conflict Transformation Studies - ACTS

Jaya emphasises the concept of "truth listening" as an ethical and relational practice essential for conflict transformation. Engaging in active listening fosters the deeper understanding and connection necessary for achieving justice.
Applied Conflict Transformation Studies - ACTS

Fred addresses the colonial legacies of disarmament advocacy in his PhD research of Applied Conflict Transformation Studies - ACTS, urging us to examine our current practices and pushing for more equitable and effective approaches to conflict transformation.