Module Six is the culmination of twenty-one months of reflecting, critiquing and evaluating both theory and practice towards strategic and applied conflict transformation work. There are three core requirements to complete this module and the overall ACTS Programme:
- A formal defense of the students’ Action Research project papers in front of a Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia panel and CPCS peace builders. Successful defense of the Action Research project papers is the final step towards the university requirement of earning the ACTS MA. The defense is usually 45 minutes, followed by questions and answers from the defense panel.
- Participation in CPCS’ annual Peace Practitioner Research Conference, a two day conference which brings together Asian peace researchers and practitioners to share perspectives, theories, ideas and experiences around a certain theme.
- A retreat in Battambang in northwestern Cambodia. Students will have the chance reflect on the journey of ACTS and what lies ahead. Fundamental to this retreat is bring to a close the Transformative Peace Leadership journey that students have made through the ACTS programme.
The Residential Seminar will also include a CPCS graduation ceremony marking the end of the ACTS journey, presentation of an ACTS certificate, and a celebration of the graduating students.
After their defense, students are expected to polish their Action Research papers based on the university panel feedback and re-submit for final approval. These papers are then published and kept in CPCS’ and PUC’ libraries. A copy is sent to each student along with their transcript.
Module Six Objectives:
- Present and defend Action Research findings to PUC panel.
- Interact and test Action Research findings with the wider community of Asian peace builders, practitioners and researchers
- Reflection on the journey through ACTS and consider how to apply key learnings to practice going forward.