Ivana Milojević

Augmented reality, the Murabbi and the democratization of higher education: alternative futures of higher education in Malaysia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the scenarios, visions and strategies that resulted from a five-day foresight workshop for AKEPT (Higher Education Leadership Academy), the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – An anticipatory action-learning course/workshop with over 50 lecturers and deans framed by the “six pillars” futures approach. Methods given the most attention were: the futures triangle; causal layered analysis; and scenario planning. Lecturers deliberated for the first three days, and deans for the last two. After their debates, the lecturers and deans presented their findings and recommendations to each other, and to the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. As well, they considered how they as individual scholars can also pursue specific actionable steps towards their preferred futures visions. Findings – The recommendations by lecturers and deans can be systematized in the following categories: establishment of a pilot project; enhancement of ...

Worlds without war: reflections on Elise Boulding’s life, work and legacy as a peace educator, feminist and futurist

Our joint article focuses on Elise Boulding’s creative work and legacy as a feminist peace theorist, peace educator and futures educator. Boulding throughout her life was deeply concerned not only with critiquing the institution of war but of working for better, more peaceable worlds. She was very much a ‘practical futurist’. Various important themes and concepts in her futures-oriented peace education work are examined. The article concludes with reflections on her continuing inspiration.

Transforming Violent Masculinities in Serbia and Beyond

This chapter examines the gendered nature of physical acts of violence. The argument is made that physical violence is predominantly linked with a particular construction of masculinity in Serbia and beyond. These violent masculinities are in turn supported by cognitive templates that stem from patriarchy and are thus linked with structural, cultural and epistemological violence commonly practised even during times of negative peace. The chapter first defines the problem of violent masculinities and investigates their many and varied manifestations. Several theoretical frameworks are used to analyse these manifestations, such as feminist xadcritique of a patriarchal cognitive framework and peace educators’ critique of pedagogical practices that prepare for and help justify violence. Furthermore, the Freudian concept of narcissistic injury, the Jungian concept of the shadow and the Stones’ xadconcept of disowned selves are used to point out the psychological factors that may contribute to some men’s conscious or subconscious desire or decision to engage in acts of violence. Analysis of predominantly Serbian masculinities in the context of Yugoslav wars is offered as a case study; an example of (1) the interconnection between xadvarious forms of violence and (2) how broad theoretical frameworks could be used to analyse concrete manifestations of violence within a particular geo-historical context. The chapter concludes with a discussion on strategies and cognitive xadtemplates needed as a prerequisite in order to enhance and/or construct alternative non-violent oriented masculinities.

Gender, Militarism and the View of the Future: Students' Views on the Introduction of the Civilian Service in Serbia.

What are some of the obstacles to demilitarization of society? What role does worldview in general, and views of gender, future and peace in particular, play in this process? What could be some aspects of the intervention when educating students and the wider community for peace? This article discusses the results from a pilot study that investigated undergraduate students attitudes to the introduction of the civilian service in Serbia. It reviews students responses, intending to investigate the connections between perspectives on peace, future and gender. It also reports how students negotiate the confusing terrain of multiple discourses and narratives in regard to these issues.