Last November 19th there was another conference luncheon at the headquarters of the Letter of Peace addressed to the UN Foundation. This time the guest was Dr. Vicente Martínez Guzmán, Professor of Philosophy of Peace at the University Jaume I of Castellón, one of the pioneers in the field of Peace Studies at university level in Spain. Director of the Foundation, María Viñas, Director of the Institutes of Peace, Dr. Francesc Torralba and Director of Universitas Albertiana, Jordi Cussó attended the meeting.

At the start of lunch on Dr. Martinez Guzman discussed the creation of various postgraduate courses in Peace Studies and their academic character, something he said that students often question a lot as they have concerns about the seriousness of such studies. He said that the study of Peace is academic because it has the same rigor that students may experience in other courses or university postgraduate studies. He also remarked that at first he wondered what the epistemological status as a philosopher of research for peace was and that some of his university colleagues from scientific disciplines like physics have pondered: “Is it scientific”? "I have tried to show them that these peace studies are scientific, but perhaps not for a mainstream and marginal science and that we do not want to be scientists like these!", he said. He talked about the work that is achieved by the inclusion of doctoral students, noting that some of them are working in different countries applying their knowledge to specific tasks related to conflict situations.

At another point in the meeting, Dr. Martinez Guzman referred to the status of the item on Peace Studies, noting that research on issues of peace is now focussing some authors on issues of "disarmament", and others in "positive peace and development." He mentioned institutions that are developing today's most emblematic peace studies, including the University of Bradford, and the University of Notre Dame, where John Paul Llederach works, among others.

In conclusion, reference was made to reconciliation. Some points developed by the Letter of Peace were discussed such as historical grievances; citing examples experienced in South Africa some years ago and the conflict in the Basque Country.