Queen's University political studies professor John McGarry has been named one of four recipients of the prestigious $225,000 Trudeau Fellowship.
Dr. McGarry was recognized for his work in conflict resolution and peacekeeping. He is actively engaged in the critical United Nations-facilitated negotiations currently taking place in Cyprus.
"It is a tremendous honour to receive this fellowship," said Dr. McGarry, who was honoured at a ceremony in Toronto on Oct. 17. "This award will help me to pursue my research in conflict resolution and to use this research in the classroom at Queen's. I'll also be able to travel to all sorts of places that tourists don't normally visit."
Dr. McGarry has been involved in peace negotiations in Cyprus, having visited that island many times over the past three years. In 1999, he co-authored a book on how to reform Northern Ireland's police, possibly the most controversial issue in its peace process. Many of his ideas were adopted and eventually implemented by the British government. Northern Ireland's police reform has been tremendously successful and is now seen as a key example of international best practice.
Dr. McGarry has advised the UN on several other conflicts, including Kenya, Iraq, Western Sahara, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. His work concerns the promotion of peace and democracy in societies that are ethnically, religiously or nationally diverse. Many of the countries he deals with have serious and violent divisions. The Trudeau Foundation describes him as 'exemplifying' the Canadian tradition of contributing to peacekeeping.
Established by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, Trudeau Fellowships are awarded to individuals who set themselves apart through research achievements, creativity and commitment to critical social issues of importance to Canada. The Government of Canada endowed the foundation with a donation of $125 million.