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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190613T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190614T170000
DTSTAMP:20210819T163517Z
CREATED:20210819T163353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210819T163517Z
UID:10000705-1560412800-1560531600@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Digital Threats to Democracy: Comparative Lessons and Possible Remedies
DESCRIPTION:“Digital Threats to Democracy: Comparative Lessons and Possible Remedies” was a two-day research workshop that brought together both emerging and senior scholars to present comparative research on the impact of digital media on democratic processes and institutions\, including topics such as dis- and misinformation\, propaganda\, and political polarization. The workshop was held June 13-14 at the Social Science Research Council in Brooklyn\, New York. \nThe workshop was organized in partnership with the International Journal of Press/Politics. Participants in the workshop were invited to submit their work for a special issue in IJPP\, an open call for which is now available here (deadline: September 1\, 2019). \nThe original call for proposals for the June workshop  may be found here. \nFaculty Chair: \nCristian Vaccari\nReader in Political Communication\, Loughborough University\nEditor-in-Chief\, the International Journal of Press/Politics \nPresentations: \nShelley Boulianne\nAssociate Professor\, MacEwan University\nProblems of Democracy or Problems of Disposition? The Role of Personality and Ideology in Political Talk and Like-Minded Discussion \nErik Bucy\nProfessor\, Texas Tech University\nBuilding Societal Resilience to Digital Disinformation \nCody Buntain\nPostdoctoral Fellow\, New York University\nCross-Platform State Propaganda: Russian Trolls on Twitter and YouTube During the 2016 US Presidential Election \nJessica Collier\nPhD Candidate\, University of Texas\, Austin\nExposure to Fact-Checks on Facebook: Field Experiments in Four Continents \nEdda Humprecht\nSenior Research and Teaching Associate\, University of Zurich (IKMZ)\nResilience to Online Disinformation: A Framework for Cross-National Comparative Research \nEleonora Kirkizh\nPhD Candidate\, GESIS Leibniz Institute for Social Sciences\nPopulist Attitudes and Selective Exposure to News \nOzan Kuru\nPostdoctoral Fellow in Science of Science Communication\, University of Pennsylvania\nUnderstanding Political Informational Processing in WhatsApp Groups: A Comparative Study of User Perceptions and Practices in Turkey\, Singapore\, and the USA\n\nGordon Ramsay\nSenior Research Fellow\, University of Westminster\nRussian Needles in Western Media Haystacks: Propaganda Detection through Text Matching in British and U.S. Media \nChris Tenove\nPostdoctoral Research Fellow\, University of British Columbia\nDisinformation as a Democratic Threat: Conceptual Models and Policy Approaches\n\nShawn Walker\nAssistant Professor\, Arizona State University\nThe IMPED Model of Misinformation \nJenifer Whitten-Woodring\nAssociate Professor\, University of Massachusetts\, Lowell\nLessons from Myanmar’s Facebook-Driven Communal Violence: The Divisive Potential of Social Media in an Intolerant Society \nMagdalena Wojcieszak\nAssociate Professor\, University of California\, Davis\nand Andreu Casas\nPostdoctoral Fellow\, New York University\nDetecting Long-term Media Effects on Affective Polarization: Evidence from Web-tracking and Longitudinal Surveys in Three Countries Guests \nOther Guests: \nDavid Karpf\nAssociate Professor\, the George Washington University \nBaird Howland\nData Scientist\, Harmony Labs
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/digital-threats-to-democracy-comparative-lessons-and-possible-remedies-2/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190624
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190627
DTSTAMP:20200903T145051Z
CREATED:20200903T145051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200903T145051Z
UID:10000608-1561334400-1561593599@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:The Ideational Approach to Populism: Consequences and Mitigation
DESCRIPTION:“The Ideational Approach to Populism: Consequences and Mitigation” will be a three day conference held at the IE School for Global and Public Affairs in Segovia\, Spain June 24-26\, 2019. The conference is organized by Team Populism\, a research group based at Brigham Young University. \nWith populist forces gaining power in several countries for the first time in years\, policymakers and citizens are more concerned than ever with populism’s consequences and how we should respond. In this conference\, Team Populism will explore the consequences of populism and how they are mitigated. Participants will focus on different levels of analysis\, including countries and the international system (democratic norms and institutions\, economic and other policy outcomes\, media behavior\, and consequences for parties or party systems)\, as well as the level of individual citizens (social polarization and the psychology of populism). Participants will work towards the creation of an edited volume.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/the-ideational-approach-to-populism-consequences-and-mitigation/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190624T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190626T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T153047Z
CREATED:20200827T171657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T153047Z
UID:10000598-1561363200-1561568400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:African Peacebuilding Network Grantee Research Methods Training Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program held a week-long joint workshop in Peduase\, Aburi\, Ghana for the 2019 cohort of APN Individual Research Grant (IRG) recipients and the 2019 cohort of Next Gen fellows. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the University of Ghana\, Legon from June 24—28\, 2019. \n15 APN Individual Research Grant participants benefited from lectures\, working group sessions\, and one-on-one dialogues with experienced facilitators\, including senior scholars\, and current and former APN Advisory Board members. The grantees met from June 24th to June 26th\, 2019. The workshop involved a mix of plenary lectures\, small working groups and one-on-one feedback sessions. During breakout sessions\, each small working groups led by a facilitator guided grantees through presentation of their projects and peer-review and feedback on each other’s projects.  These sessions helped grantees refine their proposals\, research questions and methods before heading out to conduct fieldwork and collect data for their research projects. \nOn June 24th\, the workshop began with Ron Kassimir\, the Vice President of Programs at the Social Science Research Council making some opening remarks. Professor Yaw Ohenaba-Sakiy\, Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education\, College of Education\, at the University of Ghana\, Legon also gave welcome remarks\, noting the diversity of participants coming from ten different African countries. He also spoke about how he and the University of Ghana were proud to collaborate with the APN and Next Gen programs in promoting research capacity on the African continent. Honorable Sam Okudzeto\, former Member of Parliament in Ghana and special guest of honor also discussed the importance of peace as a necessary tool for sustainable development in Africa. \nThe keynote lecture at the workshop was delivered by Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze\, the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)\, based in Accra\, Ghana. Dr. Eze spoke to “ideal mediation” and how it is of importance to creating synergy between peace and mediation. He also spoke about how peacebuilding is for the good of everyone and emphasized the importance of developing strong national peace infrastructures\, and long-term governmental funding of peacebuilding initiatives and programs. \nDay two of the workshop involved four plenary lectures by senior scholars and experts in various aspects of peacebuilding research. The first lecture was delivered by Professor Kenneth Omeje on\, “The Fundamentals of Peacebuilding Knowledge Production in Africa: Critical Reflections on Qualitative Research Methods.” He encouraged participants to think about how to find the best ways to formulate research projects that address or are capable of helping to structure Africa’s social realities. Professor Omeje also emphasized the fact that primary data can and should only be collected from relevant persons and highlighted the epistemological imperatives of peacebuilding knowledge production. \nProfessor Temitope Oriola gave the next lecture\, titled “Conducting Research in Conflict-Affected Zones: Understanding Particularities\, Risks and ‘Insiderness’.” He expressed the view that researchers would be naïve to think they can stand outside history and politics. In this regard\, Prof. Oriola advised scholars on the need to find ways to connect to individuals and communities in order to gain access and acceptance. He also emphasized the importance of taking into account the ethical challenges that may occur when researchers are in the field. \nThe third lecture by Professor Heidi Hudson spoke to “Mainstreaming Gender into Peacebuilding Research Methods.” She made the succinct point that “our gender identity is constructed through the interaction with other identities and that intersectionality is about multiple subjectivities.” Prof. Hudson also emphasized the importance of every researcher working on peacebuilding to remember that the most fundamental part of their fieldwork is to “do no harm”. \nThe last lecture of the day was given by Professor Ismail Rashid. It was titled\, “The Ethics of Fieldwork-based Research in African Peacebuilding.” The lecturer urged participants to always take into account the historical and economic contexts of the countries they are working in. Prof. Rashid also spoke about the need to be constantly challenging our assumptions and ideas and that we should not take theory as unchallengeable. \nThe third and last day of the workshop was made up of a series of joint activities with Next Gen fellows. The day began with opening remarks and introductions by Professor Ismail Rashid and Professor Sarah Ssali. This was followed by joint working group session with APN grantees and Next Gen fellows during which participants were able to get to know each other and share constructive feedback on each other’s projects. \nIn the afternoon\, APN grantees and Next Gen fellows went to the University of Ghana\, Legon for a special keynote speech by Professor Michael Tagoe\, Acting Provost at the College of Education. The keynote speech was titled “Why Research Matters: Relevance and Challenges.” During his presentation\, Professor Tagoe spoke about the place of research in the University of Ghana and Africa\, and advised researchers to apply their research findings towards framing social questions and solving societal problems. . The day activities were concluded with an informative and inspiring off-site visit to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) where fellows and grantees were given a brief presentation on the history of the Centre and its goals and objectives. Following the visit\, APN and Next Gen fellows went to a group dinner.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/african-peacebuilding-network-grantee-research-methods-training-workshop/
LOCATION:Peduase Valley Resort\, Peduase\, Aburi\, Ghana
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190628T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190628T170000
DTSTAMP:20211007T164629Z
CREATED:20210913T143734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211007T164629Z
UID:10000735-1561712400-1561741200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:China-Africa Peace Fellowship Preparatory Workshop
DESCRIPTION:On June 28\, 2019\, Understanding Violent Conflict Director Tatiana Carayannis and Program Associate Nisreen Yonis participated in the first of three workshops for the 2018-2020 cohort of China-Africa Peace Fellows. \nGuided by program staff and hosted by Professor Wang Yi Zhou\, the deputy dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University\, the Fellows reflected on findings\, challenges\, and the current status of their fieldwork research and writing.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/china-africa-peace-fellowship-preparatory-workshop/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190709T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190709T150000
DTSTAMP:20210817T160955Z
CREATED:20200923T195245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210817T160955Z
UID:10000559-1562679000-1562684400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Abe Fellowship Setsumeikai 2019 - Tokyo
DESCRIPTION:安倍フェローシップ・プログラムへの申請をお考えの皆様を対象に、下記の通り申請説明会を開催いたします。当日は、申請書・研究計画書の書き方についてご説明する他、過去の安倍フェローを迎えて質疑応答の時間も予定しております。ぜひ万障お繰り合わせの上ご参加下さいますようお願い申し上げます。 \n  \nDATE&TIME：July 9\, 2019 1:30 PM~3 PM \n 2019年7月9日（火曜日）13時30分〜15時 \n  \nPLACE：2F Sakura Hall\, Japan Foundation (4-4-1 Yotsuya\, Shinjuku-ku\, Tokyo) \n国際交流基金（ジャパンファウンデーション）2階JFICさくらホール \n東京都新宿区四谷4-4-1 http://www.jpf.go.jp/j/access/map.html \n  \nSPEAKER：Nishikawa Kunio  西川 邦夫 \nAssociate Professor\, College of Agriculture\, Ibaraki University | 2016 Abe Fellow \n茨城大学農学部地域総合農学科 准教授  | 2016 年安倍フェロー \n参加ご希望の方は、メールでabetokyo[at]ssrc.orgまでお申し込み下さい。
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/abe-fellowship-setsumeikai-2019-tokyo/
LOCATION:Japan Foundation\, Sakura Hall
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190711T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190711T190000
DTSTAMP:20210811T160758Z
CREATED:20200923T194237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210811T160758Z
UID:10000558-1562866200-1562871600@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Abe Fellowship Setsumeikai 2019 - Osaka
DESCRIPTION:安倍フェローシップ・プログラムへの申請をお考えの皆様を対象に、下記の通り申請説明会を開催いたします。当日は、申請書・研究計画書の書き方についてご説明する他、過去の安倍フェローを迎えて質疑応答の時間も予定しております。ぜひ万障お繰り合わせの上ご参加下さいますようお願い申し上げます。 \n  \nDATE&TIME：July 11\, 2019 5:30 PM~7 PM \n 2019年7月11日（木曜日）17時30分〜19時 \n  \nPLACE：Kansai University Room\, Umeda Campus\, Kandai MeRise\, Rm 705\, 7th Floor \n(1-5 Tsurunocho\, Kita Ward\, Osaka) \n関西大学梅田キャンパスKandai MeRise　7階705号室 \n(大阪府大阪市北区鶴野町1-5) \nhttp://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/umeda/access/index.html \n  \nSPEAKER：岡本 章    Okamoto Akira \nProfessor\, Faculty of Economics\, Okayama University (2015 Abe Fellow) \n岡山大学経済学部社会文化学科　教授  (2015年安倍フェロー \n  \n参加ご希望の方は、メールでabetokyo[at]ssrc.orgまでお申し込み下さい。
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/abe-fellowship-setsumeikai-2019-osaka/
LOCATION:Kansai University Room\, Umeda Campus\, Kandai MeRise\, Rm 705\, 7th Floor\, 1-5 Tsurunocho\, Kita Ward\, Osaka\, Kita Ward\, Osaka\, Japan
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190713
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190714
DTSTAMP:20210819T163652Z
CREATED:20200819T193444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210819T163652Z
UID:10000577-1562976000-1563062399@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Digital Threats to Democracy: Comparative Lessons and Possible Remedies
DESCRIPTION:“Digital Threats to Democracy: Comparative Lessons and Possible Remedies” was a two-day research workshop that brought together both emerging and senior scholars to present comparative research on the impact of digital media on democratic processes and institutions\, including topics such as dis- and misinformation\, propaganda\, and political polarization. The workshop was held June 13-14 at the Social Science Research Council in Brooklyn\, New York. \nThe workshop was organized in partnership with the International Journal of Press/Politics. Participants in the workshop were invited to submit their work for a special issue in IJPP\, an open call for which is now available here (deadline: September 1\, 2019). \nThe original call for proposals for the June workshop  may be found here. \nFaculty Chair: \nCristian Vaccari\nReader in Political Communication\, Loughborough University\nEditor-in-Chief\, the International Journal of Press/Politics \nPresentations: \nShelley Boulianne\nAssociate Professor\, MacEwan University\nProblems of Democracy or Problems of Disposition? The Role of Personality and Ideology in Political Talk and Like-Minded Discussion \nErik Bucy\nProfessor\, Texas Tech University\nBuilding Societal Resilience to Digital Disinformation \nCody Buntain\nPostdoctoral Fellow\, New York University\nCross-Platform State Propaganda: Russian Trolls on Twitter and YouTube During the 2016 US Presidential Election \nJessica Collier\nPhD Candidate\, University of Texas\, Austin\nExposure to Fact-Checks on Facebook: Field Experiments in Four Continents \nEdda Humprecht\nSenior Research and Teaching Associate\, University of Zurich (IKMZ)\nResilience to Online Disinformation: A Framework for Cross-National Comparative Research \nEleonora Kirkizh\nPhD Candidate\, GESIS Leibniz Institute for Social Sciences\nPopulist Attitudes and Selective Exposure to News \nOzan Kuru\nPostdoctoral Fellow in Science of Science Communication\, University of Pennsylvania\nUnderstanding Political Informational Processing in WhatsApp Groups: A Comparative Study of User Perceptions and Practices in Turkey\, Singapore\, and the USA\n\nGordon Ramsay\nSenior Research Fellow\, University of Westminster\nRussian Needles in Western Media Haystacks: Propaganda Detection through Text Matching in British and U.S. Media \nChris Tenove\nPostdoctoral Research Fellow\, University of British Columbia\nDisinformation as a Democratic Threat: Conceptual Models and Policy Approaches\n\nShawn Walker\nAssistant Professor\, Arizona State University\nThe IMPED Model of Misinformation \nJenifer Whitten-Woodring\nAssociate Professor\, University of Massachusetts\, Lowell\nLessons from Myanmar’s Facebook-Driven Communal Violence: The Divisive Potential of Social Media in an Intolerant Society \nMagdalena Wojcieszak\nAssociate Professor\, University of California\, Davis\nand Andreu Casas\nPostdoctoral Fellow\, New York University\nDetecting Long-term Media Effects on Affective Polarization: Evidence from Web-tracking and Longitudinal Surveys in Three Countries Guests \nOther Guests: \nDavid Karpf\nAssociate Professor\, the George Washington University \nBaird Howland\nData Scientist\, Harmony Labs
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/digital-threats-to-democracy-comparative-lessons-and-possible-remedies/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190828T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190828T170000
DTSTAMP:20210923T152300Z
CREATED:20200903T144843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210923T152300Z
UID:10000607-1566982800-1567011600@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2019 Democratic Erosion Conference
DESCRIPTION:To mark the conclusion of the second year of Democratic Erosion\, a student conference will be held at American University on August 28\, 2019. \nDemocratic Erosion is a cross-institutional collaborative course that aims to help students critically and systematically evaluate the risks to democracy both in the US and abroad through the lens of theory\, history\, and social science. The syllabus project began in 2017\, and the Anxieties of Democracy program is a proud co-sponsor. You may learn more about the initiative here.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2019-democratic-erosion-conference/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190919
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190921
DTSTAMP:20241213T153033Z
CREATED:20200827T171002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T153033Z
UID:10000597-1568851200-1569023999@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Experts Consultative Meeting for Developing A Course Module for Conflict-Sensitive Journalism in Africa
DESCRIPTION:This meeting\, organised jointly by the University of Ghana (School of Information and Communication Studies) and the African Peacebuilding Network of the Social Science Research Network\, convened on the 19th of September\, starting off at 9 am. The two conveners\, former APN grantees Dr. Admire Mare (Namibia University of Technology) and Prof. Audrey Gadzepo (University of Ghana)\, also the Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies\, welcomed guests and proceeded to give opening presentations. In attendance were an expert group of media practitioners\, lecturers of media studies and journalism across the continent\, most of whom are former grantees of the Africa Peacebuilding Network (APN). \nThe meeting congregated APN alumni\, among them Tendai Chari (University of Venda\, South Africa)\, (Frederick Ogenga (Rongo University\, Kenya)\, Jacinta Maweu (University of Nairobi\, Kenya)\, Sivalie Mbayo (Fourah Bay College\, University of Sierra Leone)\, Noah Echa Atta (Federal University\, Kashere\, Nigeria)\, Amanda Coffie (Legon Centre for International Affairs\, University of Ghana)\, and representatives from WANEP-West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (Beatrice Brew and Queeneth Tawo). It also included both media practitioners\, scholars\, and security personnel from KAIPTC (Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Centre)\, among them Brigadier General E. Kotia and Colonel M’Bawine Atintande (rtd). The APN was represented by Dr Duncan Omanga\, the Program officer for Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) programs. \nThe opening session laid out the agenda of the meeting\, which was to deliver a module on conflict-sensitive reporting in Africa.  This module was borne out of a need of producing a university level course module that would speak to the realities of African contexts and African journalistic practice. Thereafter\, Dr Ernest Ampadu\, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Leadership\, at the University of Ghana\, took the audience through the intricacies of making both a curriculum and a course module. He advised that it was important for members to distinguish between course outcomes and course objectives\, as well as between course descriptions and course content. This lecture set the ball rolling into the details of the work. \nThe workshop was structured through both plenaries and intensive group working sessions\, with more work being done within the working sessions. The plenaries focused on debates on Afrocentric and decolonised knowledge within media and conflict studies\, while the groups focused on fleshing out the details of what each sub-section of the module entailed. The first draft of the module on conflict-sensitive reporting in Africa was finally produced on the second and final day. It comprised of extensive sub-modules modules of conflict theories and concepts\, conflict in Africa\, and conflict-sensitive reporting in Africa. Participants observed that besides being a stand-alone module that could be used across universities in Africa\, the module could be further consolidated and extended in the future for a postgraduate degree or a postgraduate diploma in the same field. The draft module will undergo further review and validation by practitioners in the field before being finalized. The APN plans to publish the finalized version of the module on its website and hopes that the module will be launched and piloted in several African universities.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/experts-consultative-meeting-for-developing-a-course-module-for-conflict-sensitive-journalism-in-africa/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190923
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190924
DTSTAMP:20210916T163506Z
CREATED:20210916T163506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210916T163506Z
UID:10000768-1569196800-1569283199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2019 College and University Fund for the Social Sciences Conference
DESCRIPTION:The Present and Future of Transnational and Global Research\n\nMonday\, September 23\, 2019\nNew York University\nNew York\, NY \nThe 2019 gathering of the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences brought together representatives from the fund’s member institutions to discuss persistent challenges and potential opportunities for the social sciences on their campuses. This year’s conference focused on the present and future of transnational and global research\, and featured panel sessions on “Thinking Global AND Local: International Knowledge Production Today\,” “Experiments in Global and Transnational Studies: Intellectual and Institutional Innovations\,” and “The Internationalization of Higher Education: Peering Into the Future.” \nThe conference agenda was developed in collaboration with the 2019 planning committee: Dean Rachel Croson (Michigan State)\, Dean Charles Hale (UC Santa Barbara)\, Dean Kevin McLaughlin (Brown)\, Deputy Provost Cybele Raver (NYU)\, and Vice President Celeste Watkins-Hayes (Northwestern). \nHeld every other year\, the College and University Fund Conference provides a rare opportunity for academic leaders to devote a full day to collectively considering shared\, fundamental challenges facing the social sciences. The inaugural conference in 2017 focused on the challenge of securing knowledge in a digital and “post truth” age. The conference was central to the development of the SSRC’s Task Force Report\, “To Secure Knowledge: Social Science Partnerships for the Public Good.” \nThe Social Science Research Council’s College and University Fund for the Social Sciences is a consortium of higher education partners providing annual support to the SSRC to enhance the infrastructure of global social science research\, catalyze interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations\, and help launch the careers of junior scholars through fellowships\, workshops\, and mentorship. For more information on the College and University Fund\, please contact CUF@ssrc.org or call (718) 517-3713.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2019-college-and-university-fund-for-the-social-sciences-conference/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191001T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191001T203000
DTSTAMP:20210914T163936Z
CREATED:20210914T163902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210914T163936Z
UID:10000680-1569956400-1569961800@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Sowing Resolution: The Case for Reparations in Action
DESCRIPTION:What is the true impact of racial slavery in the United States today? Newly available archival sources and new technological methods create unprecedented possibilities for understanding America’s past\, especially as it pertains to racial and ethnic groups that have been systematically excluded from traditional social and historical analyses. In 1838\, Georgetown College (now University) sold more than 272 enslaved people (the GU272) “down river” to secure its financial health. The Georgetown Slavery Archive is beginning to bring to light\, in unprecedented detail\, how an entire community was transformed by slavery. \n\nAs a national conversation about reparations takes root\, the Social Science Research Council and Brooklyn Historical Society gathered a panel of experts to discuss how the legacy of slavery might be confronted and repaired\, and to explore one concrete example happening today. What is owed to these descendants\, and how has Georgetown made amends? \nNew York University journalism professor and New York Times contributing writer Rachel Swarns moderated a conversation with Adam Rothman\, Georgetown University historian and principal curator of the Georgetown Slavery Archive; Mélisande Short-Colomb\, student activist at Georgetown University and descendant of the GU272; and Katherine Franke\, author of Repair: Redeeming the Promise of Abolition and Sulzbacher Professor of Law\, Gender\, and Sexuality Studies at Columbia University. \nWith support from the Ford Foundation. This program is presented as part of the Social Science Research Council’s Inequality Initiative\, a series of programs and projects that bring innovative social science analysis to bear on our understanding of the roots and consequences of unequal participation in political\, economic\, and social systems across the globe.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/sowing-resolution-the-case-for-reparations-in-action-2/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191002
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191003
DTSTAMP:20210921T012138Z
CREATED:20200827T201625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210921T012138Z
UID:10000605-1569974400-1570060799@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Sowing Resolution: The Case for Reparations in Action
DESCRIPTION:What is the true impact of racial slavery in the United States today? Newly available archival sources and new technological methods create unprecedented possibilities for understanding America’s past\, especially as it pertains to racial and ethnic groups that have been systematically excluded from traditional social and historical analyses. In 1838\, Georgetown College (now University) sold more than 272 enslaved people (the GU272) “down river” to secure its financial health. The Georgetown Slavery Archive is beginning to bring to light\, in unprecedented detail\, how an entire community was transformed by slavery. \n \nAs a national conversation about reparations takes root\, the Social Science Research Council and Brooklyn Historical Society gathered a panel of experts to discuss how the legacy of slavery might be confronted and repaired\, and to explore one concrete example happening today. What is owed to these descendants\, and how has Georgetown made amends? \nNew York University journalism professor and New York Times contributing writer Rachel Swarns moderated a conversation with Adam Rothman\, Georgetown University historian and principal curator of the Georgetown Slavery Archive; Mélisande Short-Colomb\, student activist at Georgetown University and descendant of the GU272; and Katherine Franke\, author of Repair: Redeeming the Promise of Abolition and Sulzbacher Professor of Law\, Gender\, and Sexuality Studies at Columbia University. \nWith support from the Ford Foundation. This program is presented as part of the Social Science Research Council’s Inequality Initiative\, a series of programs and projects that bring innovative social science analysis to bear on our understanding of the roots and consequences of unequal participation in political\, economic\, and social systems across the globe.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/sowing-resolution-the-case-for-reparations-in-action/
LOCATION:Brooklyn Historical Society\, 128 Pierrepont Street\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11201\, United States
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191009T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191009T080000
DTSTAMP:20211018T210001Z
CREATED:20211009T120000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T210001Z
UID:10000776-1570608000-1570608000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Congolese Research Network on Peace and Security (ResCongo) - Annual Conference 2019
DESCRIPTION:ResCongo held its second annual conference from 9-10 October 2019\, in collaboration with the SSRC’s Understanding Violent Conflict (UVC) program\, the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN)\, Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Bukavu (ISP-Bukavu)\, and the Conflict Research Group (CRG) at Ghent University\, at Hôtel Beau Lieu in Bukavu. UVC director Dr. Tatiana Carayannis was invited to attend as a member of the advisory committee. ResCongo invited members and interested researchers to submit abstracts\, draft papers\, and present their work through a call for proposals. The theme of the conference was “Citizenship\, Conflict and Cross-Border Mobility: A Look at DRC and its Neighbors.”The conference began with opening remarks from Godefroid Muzalia\, Professor at the department of history & social science at the ISP-Bukavu and head of the research group for conflict and human security (GEC-SH) at the University Research Center of Kivu. Over the course of two days\, conference leaders and participants held panels on topics ranging from “Dynamics of armed groups and contexts of insecurity” to “Socio-professional mobility and cross-border trade.” Prominent Congolese researchers led most of the panel discussions\, while Dr. Carayannis was asked to co-lead a discussion on methodologies\, the usefulness of scientific research\, and how scientific research can best inform public policy.ResCongo\, the first national Congolese network of researchers working on peace and security issues\, is a virtual platform that promotes and facilitates exchanges among Congolese scholars\, connecting and enhancing the participation of these researchers in international academic and policy discussions. ResCongo was created in October 2016 and is coordinated by Professor Jose Bazonzi (UNIKIN) and Professor Godefroid Muzalia Kihangu (ISP-Bukavu & GEC-SH).Support for the creation of the website and virtual presence of ResCongo comes from the UK Department for International Development (DFID)\, while funding for the conference was provided by LSE’s Centre for Public Authority and International Development (CPAID) through the UK Economic and Social Research Council and Global Challenges Research Fund (ESRC-GCRF). For more information on ResCongo\, please see their website: http://rescongo.org/ and Twitter handle @ResCongo.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/congolese-research-network-on-peace-and-security-rescongo-annual-conference-2019/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191120
DTSTAMP:20210913T133548Z
CREATED:20210913T133548Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210913T133548Z
UID:10000732-1574035200-1574207999@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:China-Africa Peace Research Fellowship\, Writing and Research Workshops (New York)
DESCRIPTION:The 2018-2020 cohort of the Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) China-Africa Peace Fellowship met for a second time for a research and writing workshop in New York. The first day of the workshop\, (18 November 2019) served as an opportunity for Fellows to workshop and refine first drafts of their research papers through a collaborative exchange of ideas with Program Director Tatiana Carayannis\, and a small group of invited scholars working on their topics. \nThe SSRC’s China-Africa Peace Fellows received training and research support to travel to five field-work sites (Juba\, South Sudan\, Addis Ababa\, Ethiopia\, Monrovia\, Liberia\, and Johannesburg\, South Africa) throughout the summer of 2019. Fellows were matched with host institutions across the African continent and were integrated into platforms of scholarly exchange with African scholars\, human right activists\, and expert practitioners in their region\, which helped expand their understanding of issues of global inequality and the impact of China’s engagement with multilateralism and with the African continent. One Fellow observed the ways in which her positionality as an independent Chinese academic researcher surfaced as she moved across her different research sites. \nIn research site 1\, the Fellow explains\, “I was warm-welcomed and was able to conduct a lot of well-organized data. When I switched to research site 2\, I met great resistance from the Chinese community that did not automatically trust the scientific and academic integrity of my research and targeted me with great suspicion. These tensions in the fieldwork restricted my research access significantly.” \nThe project has also exposed our research Fellows first-hand to the lived realities of African communities with the aim to work towards approaches to sustaining peace that are better adapted to the needs of these countries. \nUpon returning from the field one Fellow highlighted a new sense of understanding of the term “soft power” and remarked\, “Instead of inserting our understanding of soft power and seeing whether it’s operable\, we have to rethink and get the idea and new ideas from the field from the local people’s own understanding. The Chinese emphasize mutual understanding\, but we are reluctant to present ourselves as powerful and impactful even though we are yielding significant power over local people’s lives.” \nOn Tuesday\, 19 November\, at the Security Council Report in New York\, Fellows presented their research findings to an academic\, diplomatic\, NGO\, and UN policy audience and participated in a conversation with the audience on China’s contributions to global peace practice. Dr. Carayannis introduced the program and the fellows. Dr. Lina Benabdallah of Wake Forest University\, an expert on China’s foreign policy\, served as moderator for the Fellows’ presentations where Fellows shared emerging views on global peace practice\, noting various themes such as the role of regional powers in peacekeeping and international peacekeeping norms\, to the role of infrastructure initiatives and philanthropy. Fellows also received insightful feedback from invited scholars\, NY-based think tanks\, and peace practitioners on their projects. Dr. Duncan Omanga\, Program Officer for the SSRC’s African Peacebuilding Network and Next Generation Social Sciences Africa moderated the conversation on China’s contributions to global peace practice. Dr. Benadbdallah and Dr. Xue Lei of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies shared their assessments of China’s growing leadership in the UN\, and the potential challenges and possibilities for sustaining peace and multilateral cooperation. \nAfrican host institutions are core to the project. The mutual trust created through these relationships will facilitate a necessary dialogue between Chinese and African scholars at the research and policy workshops planned during a conference in Beijing in Spring 2020. The research conference will facilitate a broader dialogue in the Chinese scholarly community about field research methods and evidence-based scholarship. The workshop will also be open to advanced graduate students and interested faculty and will discuss challenges\, best practices\, and recommendations for conducting effective field research in conflict-affected regions. Panelists will share their experiences in data collection\, data security\, and data analysis\, and discuss questions about the ethics of doing field research and international research collaborations. \nFellows have been invited to submit their research papers to the World Economics and Politics Journal at Peking University. In addition\, Fellows will be publishing English research briefs which will be published on the SSRC website. \nWith support from the Ford Foundation\, the China-Africa Peace Fellowship strengthens the evidentiary basis for Chinese scholarship on the UN and multilateral cooperation\, fosters greater South-South dialogue and promotes knowledge exchange between African and Chinese scholars\, and integrates African and Chinese perspective into key policy debates within the UN. The China-Africa Peace Fellowship is emblematic of the Social Science Research Council’s longstandingcommitment to enhance international research collaborations and to produce knowledge for the public good. Our partners in this research fellowship include the Centre for Dialogue\, Research\, and Cooperation in Addis Ababa\, Ethiopia; The Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation at the University of Liberia; The South African Institute for International Affairs in Johannesburg; The University of Dar es Salaam; The Institute for Peace\, Development\, and Security Studies at the University of Juba (South Sudan)\, Chinese Peacekeeping Police Training Centre; and Peking University.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/china-africa-peace-research-fellowship-writing-and-research-workshops-new-york/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191122
DTSTAMP:20241213T153023Z
CREATED:20210917T180003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T153023Z
UID:10000770-1574121600-1574380799@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:China-Africa Peace Research Fellowship\, Writing and Research Workshops (New York)
DESCRIPTION:The 2018-2020 cohort of the Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) China-Africa Peace Fellowship met for a second time for a research and writing workshop in New York. The first day of the workshop\, (18 November 2019) served as an opportunity for Fellows to workshop and refine first drafts of their research papers through a collaborative exchange of ideas with Program Director Tatiana Carayannis\, and a small group of invited scholars working on their topics. \nThe SSRC’s China-Africa Peace Fellows received training and research support to travel to five field-work sites (Juba\, South Sudan\, Addis Ababa\, Ethiopia\, Monrovia\, Liberia\, and Johannesburg\, South Africa) throughout the summer of 2019. Fellows were matched with host institutions across the African continent and were integrated into platforms of scholarly exchange with African scholars\, human right activists\, and expert practitioners in their region\, which helped expand their understanding of issues of global inequality and the impact of China’s engagement with multilateralism and with the African continent. One Fellow observed the ways in which her positionality as an independent Chinese academic researcher surfaced as she moved across her different research sites. \nIn research site 1\, the Fellow explains\, “I was warm-welcomed and was able to conduct a lot of well-organized data. When I switched to research site 2\, I met great resistance from the Chinese community that did not automatically trust the scientific and academic integrity of my research and targeted me with great suspicion. These tensions in the fieldwork restricted my research access significantly.” \nThe project has also exposed our research Fellows first-hand to the lived realities of African communities with the aim to work towards approaches to sustaining peace that are better adapted to the needs of these countries. \nUpon returning from the field one Fellow highlighted a new sense of understanding of the term “soft power” and remarked\, “Instead of inserting our understanding of soft power and seeing whether it’s operable\, we have to rethink and get the idea and new ideas from the field from the local people’s own understanding. The Chinese emphasize mutual understanding\, but we are reluctant to present ourselves as powerful and impactful even though we are yielding significant power over local people’s lives.” \nOn Tuesday\, 19 November\, at the Security Council Report in New York\, Fellows presented their research findings to an academic\, diplomatic\, NGO\, and UN policy audience and participated in a conversation with the audience on China’s contributions to global peace practice. Dr. Carayannis introduced the program and the fellows. Dr. Lina Benabdallah of Wake Forest University\, an expert on China’s foreign policy\, served as moderator for the Fellows’ presentations where Fellows shared emerging views on global peace practice\, noting various themes such as the role of regional powers in peacekeeping and international peacekeeping norms\, to the role of infrastructure initiatives and philanthropy. Fellows also received insightful feedback from invited scholars\, NY-based think tanks\, and peace practitioners on their projects. Dr. Duncan Omanga\, Program Officer for the SSRC’s African Peacebuilding Network and Next Generation Social Sciences Africa moderated the conversation on China’s contributions to global peace practice. Dr. Benadbdallah and Dr. Xue Lei of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies shared their assessments of China’s growing leadership in the UN\, and the potential challenges and possibilities for sustaining peace and multilateral cooperation. \nAfrican host institutions are core to the project. The mutual trust created through these relationships will facilitate a necessary dialogue between Chinese and African scholars at the research and policy workshops planned during a conference in Beijing in Spring 2020. The research conference will facilitate a broader dialogue in the Chinese scholarly community about field research methods and evidence-based scholarship. The workshop will also be open to advanced graduate students and interested faculty and will discuss challenges\, best practices\, and recommendations for conducting effective field research in conflict-affected regions. Panelists will share their experiences in data collection\, data security\, and data analysis\, and discuss questions about the ethics of doing field research and international research collaborations. \nFellows have been invited to submit their research papers to the World Economics and Politics Journal at Peking University. In addition\, Fellows will be publishing English research briefs which will be published on the SSRC website. \nWith support from the Ford Foundation\, the China-Africa Peace Fellowship strengthens the evidentiary basis for Chinese scholarship on the UN and multilateral cooperation\, fosters greater South-South dialogue and promotes knowledge exchange between African and Chinese scholars\, and integrates African and Chinese perspective into key policy debates within the UN. The China-Africa Peace Fellowship is emblematic of the Social Science Research Council’s longstanding commitment to enhance international research collaborations and to produce knowledge for the public good. Our partners in this research fellowship include the Centre for Dialogue\, Research\, and Cooperation in Addis Ababa\, Ethiopia; The Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation at the University of Liberia; The South African Institute for International Affairs in Johannesburg; The University of Dar es Salaam; The Institute for Peace\, Development\, and Security Studies at the University of Juba (South Sudan)\, Chinese Peacekeeping Police Training Centre; and Peking University.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/china-africa-peace-research-fellowship-writing-and-research-workshops-new-york-2/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191121
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191124
DTSTAMP:20200827T170602Z
CREATED:20200827T170602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200827T170602Z
UID:10000596-1574294400-1574553599@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:African Studies Association 2019 Annual Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation Social Sciences (Next Gen) in Africa programs of the Social Science Research Council participated in the African Studies Association’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Boston\, Massachusetts. The APN and Next Gen programs convened a special panel on “Discourses that Make or Mar: Engaging History\, Identity and the Narratives of Violence and African Peacebuilding\,” featuring the following APN and Next Gen alumni: Samaila Suleiman (IRG 2018 and Next Gen 2012/2013)\, Sifiso Ndlovu (Next Gen 2015)\, Chantal Ingabire (IRG 2017)\, and Edmore Chitukutuku (IRG 2018 and Next Gen 2013/2015). Program Director of the APN and Next Gen\, Dr. Cyril Obi\, was the chair and Patience Adzande (IRG 2017 and Next Gen 2013/2014) was the co-chair and discussant. \nAPN Special Panel \nAPN alumnus Chantal Ingabire (IRG 2017) presented a paper on “Youth Perspectives and Practices on the Reconciliation after the Genocide: A Study of Rwanda.” She focused on community-based sociotherapy and the importance of youth participation in reconciliation initiatives in post-genocide Rwanda. Dr. Ingabire also focused on psychosocial recovery from a historical perspective – in this case the history of the genocide – and how facilitating social change can promote sustainable peace by drawing upon the important role being played by youth associations/clubs. APN and Next Gen alumnus Edmore Chitukutuku (IRG 2018 and Next Gen 2013/2015) followed with a presentation on “Spiritualized Everyday Youth Peacebuilding Initiatives in Northern Zimbabwe.” He spoke about the ways in which youth in Northern Zimbabwe participate in spiritual cleansing ceremonies of youth who had committed acts of violence/atrocities in the past. It was a way of making them atone for their past acts of violence\, reconcile with their victims and prevent future conflict. Dr. Chitukutuku also described his fieldwork experience working with churches in the region to get a deeper understanding of the messages of peace that the youth were embracing and how these were impacting conflict and peacebuilding in their communities. \nThe third presentation on\, “Ethnocultural Diversity and Peacebuilding in Postcolonial Southern Africa: The Case of Post-apartheid South Africa.” was delivered by Next Gen alumnus Sifiso Ndlovu (Next 2015).  Dr. Ndlovu spoke about ethnocultural identity in South Africa and how diversity was accommodated under the constitutional design of the country. \nThe last presentation of the panel was given by APN alumnus Samaila Suleiman\, who presented on “The Perils of History: Another Culture of Violence in Central Nigeria.” His paper was based on the problematic nature of the manipulation of historical facts and how these could escalate tensions or lead to conflict.  To illustrate this Dr. Sulaiman gave instances of the falsification of historical narratives by various political actors and how these increased inter-ethnic and inter-religious tensions in Central Nigeria. He argued that the distortion of historical information to mobilize people along regional\, religious and religious fault lines in a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse Nigeria was fueling a culture of violence with its attendant risks. \nOther Panels \nSeveral other APN and Next Gen alumni and grantees presented papers on other panels at the conference. APN alumnus Aymar Nyenyezi Bisoka (IRG 2017) spoke on a Roundtable on “Field Research in Sensitive Contexts.” Dr. Bisoka talked about the decolonization of knowledge and shared some of his experiences regarding field research in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He urged other presenters and members of the audience to question and really think about the challenges that come with doing field work in conflict-affected settings\, and how to address such challenges. \n2017 Next Gen alumnus Evarist Ngabirano gave a presentation on “The Politics of Local Governance” on a panel on “Explaining Variation in Local Governance.” He focused his presentation on postcolonial politics of “tribalism” in Africa and Uganda. In his presentation he focused on the kingdom of Buganda and spoke about the ways in which this region has been an important site for the emergence of postcolonial ethno-politics in Uganda. \nCurrent Next Gen fellow Titilope Ajayi (APN IRG 2018) presented a paper on “Local conflicts\, global frameworks: the Boko Haram Conflict and the Women\, Peace\, and Security Agenda” at a panel on “Women and Political Resistance.” Ajayi emphasized the fact that the search for the missing Chibok girls was started by local women who were on the ground. In Nigeria\, the elite women are the ones who hold the power when it comes to advocating for peace\, however\, where is the acknowledgement of the local women who started the work? When the lived realities of women who are most affected are overlooked\, it leads to an incomplete view of the problem at hand. \n2017/2018 Next Gen alumnus Patricia Serwaa Afrifa’s presentation was titled “’These Days Nothing is for Free’: The Nature of Childcare Arrangements in Urban Accra.” Her paper examined the changing nature of childcare arrangements and how they are impacted by social\, cultural\, and economic changes. She focused among others on the commodification of childcare and its impact on the changing dynamics that ensue within the household. \nIn addition to fellow and grantees\, APN and Next Gen Program Officer Duncan Omanga presented on “Digitality” on the “African Studies Keywords Part III” panel. APN and Next Gen Program Director Dr. Cyril Obi spoke on a roundtable on “Change and Continuities in the 2019 Nigerian Elections” organized by the Nigerian Studies Association. \nDuring the closing ceremony\, the following fellows and alumni were honored as 2019 ASA Presidential Fellows: Patricia Serwaa Afrifa (Next Gen 2017)\, Aymar Nyenyezi Bisoka (APN IRG 2017)\, and Evarist Ngabirano (Next Gen 2017). Serwaa and Aymar were also ASA-SSRC Presidential Fellows. Furthermore\, Daniel Olisa Iweze (IRG 2017)\, Nicodemus Minde (IRG 2013 and Next Gen 2017/2019)\, Patience Adzande (IRG 2017 and Next Gen 2013/2014)\, and Titilope Ajayi (IRG 2018\, Next Gen 2017/2019) were honored as Carnegie Corporation of New York Scholars and Fellows.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/african-studies-association-2019-annual-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTSTAMP:20210902T155011Z
CREATED:20200827T202419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210902T155011Z
UID:10000606-1575590400-1575763199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Planning Workshop\, Beirut
DESCRIPTION:On December 6–7\, a planning workshop of the Transregional Collaboratory on the Indian Ocean took place in Beirut\, Lebanon\, hosted by our partners at the Arab Council for the Social Sciences. The workshop brought together eight regional experts representing institutions across Africa\, Asia\, the US\, and the UK\, and the disciplines of history\, economics\, anthropology\, sociology\, geography\, and political science. Discussions were further informed by generous written contributions from scholars who could not be in attendance. \nOver the course of the two-day meeting\, the group reflected on the potential of the Collaboratory to catalyze innovative social research in the region and to encourage models of effective collaborative research. Among the key issues raised were the evolving intellectual project of Indian Ocean studies as well as the benefits and limitations of using the lens of climate change and other environmental issues in shaping new knowledge about this historically rich region. For instance\, how might research into water scarcity inform our understanding of migration and conflict? What insights could an emphasis on coastal communities and livelihoods bring to studies of governance and infrastructure? \nParticipants also suggested that research engage previously understudied subregions within the Indian Ocean world\, including the Arab Gulf and coastal East Africa\, and reflect on the region’s connectedness to other oceans. Participants also discussed the practicalities of effective collaborative research\, including the need for clearer ethical standards and principles regarding both interregional research collaboration and knowledge production in and about the Global South. Central concerns included the problem of translating ethical principles into practical models of collaboration\, and addressing ethics beyond the research planning and funding phases to include the dissemination of research and its impact on research subjects. \nDrawing on the recommendations emerging from this meeting\, program staff have developed the Collaboratory’s first call for funding applications for Transregional Planning Grants. Applications are due May 8\, 2020. \nMeeting Participants \nSelina Ho\, National University of Singapore\nHafeez Jamali\, Government of Balochistan\nGodwin Murunga\, CODESRIA\nRohit Negi\, Ambedkar University\, Delhi\nRavi Palat\, Binghamton University\nWilmar Salim\, Bandung Institute of Technology\nMathew Senga\, University of Dar es Salaam\nSeteney Shami\, Arab Council for the Social Sciences\nAla’a Shehabi\, University College London \nOther Contributors \nJatin Dua\, University of Michigan\nDevleena Ghosh\, University of Technology\, Sydney\nPamila Gupta\, University of the Witwatersrand\nIsabel Hofmeyr\, University of the Witwatersrand/New York University\nRita Padawangi\, National University of Singapore\nAlexis Wick\, Koç University
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/planning-workshop-beirut/
LOCATION:Arab Council for the Social Sciences
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTSTAMP:20241213T153016Z
CREATED:20200827T170300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T153016Z
UID:10000595-1575590400-1575763199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:African Peacebuilding Network and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa National Proposal Writing Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program held a national proposal writing workshop in Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania. Participants were given the opportunity to share their draft projects and research proposals with their peers and several experienced mentors. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences\, University of Dar es Salaam from December 6th to 7th\, 2019. \n20 participants benefitted from lectures\, roundtables\, breakout sessions\, and one-on-one sessions with experienced mentors and current and past members of both APN and Next Gen Advisory Boards. Some alumni of the APN and Next Gen programs attended and played the role of peer-mentors to some of the participants. The workshop was to help participants refine their research/project proposals ahead of submission to APN and Next Gen Fellowship competitions. Other goals included helping them build upon their proposal writing skills. It was an opportunity to inform Tanzanian scholars about the opportunities that the APN and Next Gen Fellowships offer them to advance their research skills and professional development. Another point is that Tanzania had been under-represented in terms of applications received by APN and Next Gen and it was hoped that the workshop will sensitize Tanzanian scholars to both programs and increase the number of applications received as well as increase the representation of Tanzanian scholars in APN and Next Fellowship cohorts. \nThe first day of the workshop began with opening remarks by Dr. Cyril Obi\, the Program Director of APN and Next Gen. Dr. Obi homed in on the main objective of both the SSRC and the University of Dar es Salaam; to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another. Dr. Obi continued by talking about the focus of both the APN and Next Gen fellowships and emphasized how the participants are well on their way to beginning their journey. Professor Razack Lokina\, Principal of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Dar es Salaam\, was represented by Dr. Sigalla Huruma spoke to the benefits of the workshop  as an important opportunity for participants drawn from across the country to strengthen their capacities for proposal writing\, and working with senior and highly experienced mentors to develop their draft proposals  ahead of applying for APN and Next Gen fellowship awards. He also commended the partnership between the University of Dar es Salaam and the Social Science Research Council\, describing the workshop as a highly valued opportunity for the participants can expand their knowledge on the various aspects of proposal writing\, research method ethics\, literature review\, and editing. \nThe first keynote lecture of the day was delivered by Professor Sarah Ssali\, Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University and Chair of the Next Gen Advisory Board. The title of her presentation was “Situating Research on Peacebuilding and Development in East Africa.” During her keynote lecture\, Professor Ssali talked about how conflict in East Africa is not always clear because it is seen as a region that is politically dynamic and diverse\, has the greatest level of development\, and has the least wars. However\, she does emphasize that there is still a lot of research that needs to be done on conflicts in East Africa. Furthermore\, Professor Ssali advised participants to go beyond focusing on land conflicts and asked them to keep this question in mind: How do these conflicts (terrorism\, post-election conflict\, conflict of the youth\, etc.) play out in terms of gender\, ethnicity\, and local and international politics? \nThe second keynote lecture on “The Fundamentals of Crafting a Winning Research Proposal: Linking Research Questions\, Theory\, and Methods” was given by Dr. Christine Now\, senior lecturer in Geography at the University of Dar es Salaam and member of the Next Gen Advisory Board. Dr. Noe presented participants with the four reasons to develop their proposal writing skills: to build their capacity to write highly competitive proposals\, make intellectually compelling arguments; nurture a clear and coherent research agenda; and to raise the standard of the academic quality of the research project. She also emphasized you’re the importance of content of research proposals to actively push for an African narrative. \nThe first roundtable of the workshop on “Academic Citizenship: African Universities\, Society\, and Developing an Academic Culture.” featured Professor Ismail Rashid (Vassar College)\, Professor Sarah Ssali (Makerere University)\, Ernest Mallya (University of Dar es Salaam)\, Damian Shumbusho (University of Dar es Salaam)\, and Iddy Ramadhani Magoti (Next Gen alumnus 2013/2014\, IRG 2018)\, and was moderated by Duncan Omanga (Program Officer\, APN and Next Gen). One of the key points that the roundtable participants emphasized was the three roles of the academic; to teach\, to research and produce knowledge\, and participate in public/community services. They recognized the dual role of academics as citizens and scholars and explored ways of advancing both roles simultaneously. Of note were the guiding principles of commitment\, professional development and contribution to national development through teaching\, research and service. Participants are discussed the importance of belonging to international networks of scholars and knowing what other scholars are doing in other parts of the world. \nThe second day of the national workshop began with one-on-one sessions and was followed by a presentation given by Professor Ismail Rashid\, professor of history at Vassar College and Chair of the APN Advisory Board. The title of his presentation was “Conducting Fieldwork-based Research in Conflict-Affected Settings: Design\, Techniques\, and Ethics” where he talked about researchers needing to be aware of their position of privilege when working in certain conflict-affected environments. Professor Rashid also advised scholars on the need to always act in an ethical manner; in other words\, acting with integrity when in the field or working with junior colleagues or their PhD students. He emphasized the importance of always operating within the ethical framework of “do no harm” to research participants or respondents. \nThe last roundtable of the workshop was titled “APN and Next Gen Alumni Testimonials: My APN/Next Gen Fellowship Experience” and featured the following alumni; Enock Makupa (APN IRG 2016)\, Iddy Ramadhani Magoti (Next Gen 2013/2014\, IRG 2018)\, Verdiana Tilumanya (Next Gen 2012)\, and was moderated by Duncan Omanga (Program Officer\, APN and Next Gen). The panelists talked about the ways in which receiving either an APN or Next Gen fellowship allowed them to continue their research and spoke to how the fellowship enabled them complete their PhDs\, while that of the APN spoke to how they was able to complete their project and how it impacted their professional development. They also spoke on the ways in which being part of the APN and Next Gen community has benefited them\, from building a network of scholars to being able to continue their field work and research.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/african-peacebuilding-network-and-next-generation-social-sciences-in-africa-national-proposal-writing-workshop-2/
LOCATION:Ramada Resort\, Wyndham Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania\, United Republic of
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/african-peacebuilding-network-and-next-generation-social-sciences-in-africa-national-proposal-writing-workshop-1-1-scaled-e1598547754474.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTSTAMP:20200827T152335Z
CREATED:20200827T152252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200827T152335Z
UID:10000589-1575590400-1575763199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:African Peacebuilding Network and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa National Proposal Writing Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program held a national proposal writing workshop in Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania. Participants were given the opportunity to share their draft projects and research proposals with their peers and several experienced mentors. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences\, University of Dar es Salaam from December 6th to 7th\, 2019. \n20 participants benefitted from lectures\, roundtables\, breakout sessions\, and one-on-one sessions with experienced mentors and current and past members of both APN and Next Gen Advisory Boards. Some alumni of the APN and Next Gen programs attended and played the role of peer-mentors to some of the participants. The workshop was to help participants refine their research/project proposals ahead of submission to APN and Next Gen Fellowship competitions. Other goals included helping them build upon their proposal writing skills. It was an opportunity to inform Tanzanian scholars about the opportunities that the APN and Next Gen Fellowships offer them to advance their research skills and professional development. Another point is that Tanzania had been under-represented in terms of applications received by APN and Next Gen and it was hoped that the workshop will sensitize Tanzanian scholars to both programs and increase the number of applications received as well as increase the representation of Tanzanian scholars in APN and Next Fellowship cohorts. \nThe first day of the workshop began with opening remarks by Dr. Cyril Obi\, the Program Director of APN and Next Gen. Dr. Obi homed in on the main objective of both the SSRC and the University of Dar es Salaam; to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another. Dr. Obi continued by talking about the focus of both the APN and Next Gen fellowships and emphasized how the participants are well on their way to beginning their journey. Professor Razack Lokina\, Principal of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Dar es Salaam\, was represented by Dr. Sigalla Huruma spoke to the benefits of the workshop  as an important opportunity for participants drawn from across the country to strengthen their capacities for proposal writing\, and working with senior and highly experienced mentors to develop their draft proposals  ahead of applying for APN and Next Gen fellowship awards. He also commended the partnership between the University of Dar es Salaam and the Social Science Research Council\, describing the workshop as a highly valued opportunity for the participants can expand their knowledge on the various aspects of proposal writing\, research method ethics\, literature review\, and editing. \nThe first keynote lecture of the day was delivered by Professor Sarah Ssali\, Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University and Chair of the Next Gen Advisory Board. The title of her presentation was “Situating Research on Peacebuilding and Development in East Africa.” During her keynote lecture\, Professor Ssali talked about how conflict in East Africa is not always clear because it is seen as a region that is politically dynamic and diverse\, has the greatest level of development\, and has the least wars. However\, she does emphasize that there is still a lot of research that needs to be done on conflicts in East Africa. Furthermore\, Professor Ssali advised participants to go beyond focusing on land conflicts and asked them to keep this question in mind: How do these conflicts (terrorism\, post-election conflict\, conflict of the youth\, etc.) play out in terms of gender\, ethnicity\, and local and international politics? \nThe second keynote lecture on “The Fundamentals of Crafting a Winning Research Proposal: Linking Research Questions\, Theory\, and Methods” was given by Dr. Christine Now\, senior lecturer in Geography at the University of Dar es Salaam and member of the Next Gen Advisory Board. Dr. Noe presented participants with the four reasons to develop their proposal writing skills: to build their capacity to write highly competitive proposals\, make intellectually compelling arguments; nurture a clear and coherent research agenda; and to raise the standard of the academic quality of the research project. She also emphasized you’re the importance of content of research proposals to actively push for an African narrative. \nThe first roundtable of the workshop on “Academic Citizenship: African Universities\, Society\, and Developing an Academic Culture.” featured Professor Ismail Rashid (Vassar College)\, Professor Sarah Ssali (Makerere University)\, Ernest Mallya (University of Dar es Salaam)\, Damian Shumbusho (University of Dar es Salaam)\, and Iddy Ramadhani Magoti (Next Gen alumnus 2013/2014\, IRG 2018)\, and was moderated by Duncan Omanga (Program Officer\, APN and Next Gen). One of the key points that the roundtable participants emphasized was the three roles of the academic; to teach\, to research and produce knowledge\, and participate in public/community services. They recognized the dual role of academics as citizens and scholars and explored ways of advancing both roles simultaneously. Of note were the guiding principles of commitment\, professional development and contribution to national development through teaching\, research and service. Participants are discussed the importance of belonging to international networks of scholars and knowing what other scholars are doing in other parts of the world. \nThe second day of the national workshop began with one-on-one sessions and was followed by a presentation given by Professor Ismail Rashid\, professor of history at Vassar College and Chair of the APN Advisory Board. The title of his presentation was “Conducting Fieldwork-based Research in Conflict-Affected Settings: Design\, Techniques\, and Ethics” where he talked about researchers needing to be aware of their position of privilege when working in certain conflict-affected environments. Professor Rashid also advised scholars on the need to always act in an ethical manner; in other words\, acting with integrity when in the field or working with junior colleagues or their PhD students. He emphasized the importance of always operating within the ethical framework of “do no harm” to research participants or respondents. \nThe last roundtable of the workshop was titled “APN and Next Gen Alumni Testimonials: My APN/Next Gen Fellowship Experience” and featured the following alumni; Enock Makupa (APN IRG 2016)\, Iddy Ramadhani Magoti (Next Gen 2013/2014\, IRG 2018)\, Verdiana Tilumanya (Next Gen 2012)\, and was moderated by Duncan Omanga (Program Officer\, APN and Next Gen). The panelists talked about the ways in which receiving either an APN or Next Gen fellowship allowed them to continue their research and spoke to how the fellowship enabled them complete their PhDs\, while that of the APN spoke to how they was able to complete their project and how it impacted their professional development. They also spoke on the ways in which being part of the APN and Next Gen community has benefited them\, from building a network of scholars to being able to continue their field work and research.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/african-peacebuilding-network-and-next-generation-social-sciences-in-africa-national-proposal-writing-workshop/
LOCATION:Ramada Resort\, Wyndham Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania\, United Republic of
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/african-peacebuilding-network-and-next-generation-social-sciences-in-africa-national-proposal-writing-workshop-1-scaled-e1598541752186.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191209
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191213
DTSTAMP:20241213T153011Z
CREATED:20200827T151146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T153011Z
UID:10000588-1575849600-1576195199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa joint Bi-Annual Fellows Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) and African Peacebuilding Network (APN) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) held a week-long joint workshop in Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania for the 2019 cohort of APN Individual Research Grant (IRG) recipients and the 2019 cohort of Next Gen fellows. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the University Dar es Salaam from December 9th to 14th\, 2019. \n24 Next Gen Proposal Development and Dissertation Research fellows were joined by six experienced and scholars and Next Gen board members in Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania for a four-day workshop event including two full days devoted to holding a series of joint activities with APN grantees. Next Gen fellows met from December 9th – 12th\, 2019. The workshop was designed to help early-career faculty (progressing through various stages of their doctoral dissertation) from African universities learn more about each other’s work\, engage in scholarly reflections\, research\, writing and networking. Other activities included a series of lectures\, working group sessions and one-on-one feedback sessions with facilitators on individual projects and interdisciplinary perspectives to research. \nThe first day of the Next Gen workshop began with opening remarks given by Professor Razack Lokina\, the principal of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Dar es Salaam. Professor Lokina welcomed the fellows to Tanzania and acknowledged the SSRC’s efforts to advance knowledge sharing of important issues pertinent to the African continent. Dr. Cyril Obi\, Program Director of the APN and Next Gen programs also gave opening remarks. \nThe keynote lecture\, titled “Green Violence\, Environmental Governance and the Challenge of Development in Africa\,” was delivered by Professor Maano Ramutsindela of the University of Cape Town\, South Africa. In his lecture\, Professor Ramutsindela spoke about conceptualizing violence in the context of “nature\,” environmental governance\, and the challenge of African development. He noted that this was important for several reasons: the place of Africa in the world\, the history of conservation on the continent and contemporary practices and experiences. In this regard\, Prof. Ramutsindela called for greater reflection on the brutalities against non-human nature with the visible suffering of certain animals. He interrogated the assumption that local African communities do not appreciate nature\, and such appreciation had to imposed or received from outside. He went further to show how and why global and local forces interprete nature\, and raises the important question about “How do Africans own and govern their own natural resources?” In concluding he called for a critical reading of tactics of conservation movements\, and learn to confront these by pooling Africa’s intellectual resources to tackle the logic underpinning such tactics. \nThe second day of the workshop consisted of plenary sessions\, cohort breakout sessions\, and one-on-one sessions. The first plenary lecture of the day was given by Professor Thomas Kwasi Tieku (Western University) and was titled\, “Why Writing Matters: Overcoming Common Problems in Doctoral Dissertation Writing.” The lecturer talked about the value of good writing and how readers don’t care about “linguistic gymnastics” and that using complicated jargon will isolate the common reader. He also emphasized the need to diversify resources and the importance of paying attention to the content of dissertations. \nThe second plenary lecture was titled “The Lived Experiences of Women Scholars in Peacebuilding Research: Some Reflections” and was given by Dr. Yolande Bouka (Queen’s University). Professor Bouka spoke about the patterns of discrimination that come with being a woman in academia and opened it up to the women fellows in the room to talk about their experiences. \nThe third day of the workshop turned into a joint meeting with APN grantees. The day began with opening remarks from Professor William A. L. Anangisye\, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam. This was then followed by a keynote lecture titled “Law Making\, Peacemaking\, and National Development: Reflections on Research and Policy Linkages” given by Dr. Tulia Ackson\, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Tanzania. Dr. Tulia Ackson spoke about the correlation between research and policymaking and how these two are very important when talking about peacebuilding in Tanzania and in other African countries. The day’s activities were concluded with an emotional and reflective off-site visit to Bagamoyo\, a cultural heritage site which in the first half of the 19th century became a trading port for ivory and the slave trade. Following the visit\, APN and Next Gen fellows and grantees attended a dinner at the Vice Chancellor’s Residence at the University of Dar es Salaam. \nThe second joint workshop day consisted of two joint thematic sessions and two roundtables. The first roundtable featured Professor Yolande Bouka (Queen’s University)\, Dr. Siphokazi Magadla (Rhodes University)\, and Professor Sarah Ssali (Makerere University). The roundtable was titled “Mainstreaming Gender in Academic Writing.” During the roundtable\, the speakers talked about how taking gender seriously when researching can allow scholars and researchers to take fundamental parts of and facts about our history into consideration. They also urged the fellows and grantees to question how having a gender focus can bring about new insights to their analyses/research. \nThe second and last roundtable of the joint workshop featured a panel of APN and Next Gen fellows and grantees who spoke on the “Challenges of Dissertation Writing – Candidate and Supervisor Perspectives.” The featured grantees were Njoki Wamai\, Fikile Masikane\, Wesley Mwatwara. It was moderated by Nixo Wamamela. The fellows and grantees on the panel talked about how important it is to make sure candidates do their research before getting into a PhD program. Some spoke about the complicated power dynamic embedded within the student-supervisor relationship while others talked about the pressure of having to publish while being a PhD student.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/next-generation-social-sciences-in-africa-joint-bi-annual-fellows-workshop/
LOCATION:Ramada Resort\, Wyndham Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania\, United Republic of
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/next-generation-social-sciences-in-africa-joint-bi-annual-fellows-workshop-e1598541222739.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191215
DTSTAMP:20200827T165218Z
CREATED:20200827T165218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200827T165218Z
UID:10000594-1576022400-1576367999@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:African Peacebuilding Network Grantee Research Writing and Dissemination Training Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program held a week-long joint workshop in Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania for the 2019 cohort of APN Individual Research Grant (IRG) recipients and the 2019 cohort of Next Gen fellows. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the University Dar es Salaam from December 9th to 14th\, 2019. \n15 APN Individual Research Grant participants benefited from lectures\, working group sessions\, and one-on-one dialogues with experienced facilitators\, including senior scholars\, and current and former APN Advisory Board members. The grantees met from December 11th to 14th\, 2019. The workshop involved a mix of plenary lectures\, small working groups and one-on-one feedback sessions. During the breakout sessions\, each small working group (led by a facilitator) guided grantees through presentation of their projects and peer-review and feedback on each other’s projects. These sessions helped grantees refine their proposals\, research questions and methods before heading out to conduct fieldwork and collect data for their research projects. \nOn December 11th\, APN grantees joined Next Gen fellows for the first day of their joint workshop. The day began with opening remarks from Professor William A. L. Anangisye\, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam. This was followed by a keynote lecture titled “Law Making\, Peacemaking\, and National Development: Reflections on Research and Policy Linkages” given by Dr. Tulia Ackson\, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Tanzania. Dr. Tulia Ackson spoke about the correlation between research and policymaking and how these two are very important when talking about peacebuilding in Tanzania and in other African countries. The day’s activities were concluded with an emotional and reflective off-site visit to Bagamoyo\, a cultural heritage site which in the first half of the 19th century became a trading port for ivory and the slave trade. Following the visit\, APN and Next Gen fellows and grantees attended a dinner at the Vice Chancellor’s Residence at the University of Dar es Salaam. \nThe second joint workshop day consisted of two joint thematic sessions and two roundtables. The first roundtable featured Professor Yolande Bouka (Queen’s University)\, Dr. Siphokazi Magadla (Rhodes University)\, and Professor Sarah Ssali (Makerere University). The roundtable was titled “Mainstreaming Gender in Academic Writing.” During the roundtable\, the speakers talked about how taking gender seriously when researching can allow us to take fundamental parts of and facts about our history into consideration. They also urged the fellows and grantees to question how having a gender focus can bring about new insights to their analyses/research. \nThe second and last roundtable of the joint workshop featured a panel of APN and Next Gen fellows and grantees who spoke on the “Challenges of Dissertation Writing – Candidate and Supervisor Perspectives.” The fellows and grantees on the panel talked about how important it is for candidates to do their research before getting into a PhD program. Some spoke about the complicated power dynamic embedded within the student-supervisor relationship while others talked about the pressure of having to publish while being a PhD student. \nThe third day of the APN workshop included two plenary sessions and one roundtable discussion. The first plenary keynote was given by Professor Rita Abrahamsen (University of Ottawa) and was titled “The Perils of Securitization: Understanding the Global Political Economy of Conflict and Insecurity.” Professor Abrahamsen talked about how poverty and development usher in a new type of militarization and that certain myths such as “poverty is dangerous” determine the process of securitization. She also talked about the ways in which politicians and policymakers can change their language when talking about underdevelopment. The second plenary keynote was titled “Contemporary Issues in African Peacebuilding” and was given by Professor Kenneth Omeje (University of Johannesburg). Professor Omeje spoke about how peacebuilding can be considered as a post-conflict activity. He also touched on making a distinction between “orthodox peacebuilding in Africa” and “African peacebuilding.” \nThe roundtable discussion featured Dr. Temitope Oriola (University of Alberta)\, Professor Rita Abrahamsen (University of Ottawa)\, and Dr. Ismail Rashid (Vassar College). The roundtable focused on “Disseminating Research Findings through Peer-Reviewed Journals.” They spoke to the mechanics of submitting articles to journals\, the various steps and things to consider\, particularly the things journal editors look out for. Some of the advice given included the following: decolonizing debates as Africa in under-represented in most journals\, take writing seriously – you cannot make a good argument without revising your draft many times – identifying your audience\, and learning how to deal with rejection. The featured speakers also talked about the Catch 22 that occurs when African scholars start publishing in international journals. What happens is that even though publishing internationally is a good thing\, it also impoverishes national journals because people put their best efforts in international journals. They also spoke on the writing process and how researchers need to decide early on in their process who their audience is going to be and understand that that is going to influence their approach. \nThe last day of the APN workshop began with a plenary keynote titled “The Politics of Knowledge Production\, Power\, and What it Means to be an African Scholar” given by Professor Ismail Rashid (Vassar College). Professor Rashid talked about the historic mission of the African scholar and how a myriad of disciplines have been clustered together to create a particular subject on the African continent. He also emphasized that the purpose of being in education or being a scholar is to be the best possible citizen in the world. \nThe last plenary session and activity of the workshop featured Dr. Christine Noe (University of Dar es Salaam) and Dr. Duncan Omanga (APN and Next Gen Program Officer). The session was titled “Using Digital Data and Platforms for Academic Writing and Publications.” Dr. Noe and Dr. Omanga talked about how it is necessary for journals and writers to tap into the power of media in order to disseminate their work.  Dr. Noe also identified and spoke about several digital tools for collaboration with other scholars\, referencing\, and compiling bibliographies. She noted that such tools were important for the following: searching literature\, knowledge-sharing\, image editing\, editing\, writing help\, visualizing work in different ways and reference management.  In his presentation\, Duncan Omanga noted that it was not sufficient to publish\, and emphasized the importance of making an overt and conscious effort to disseminate the knowledge produced. He also underscored the importance of developing a sound knowledge of social media and spoke to the use of social media to disseminate information about research findings and publications.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/african-peacebuilding-network-grantee-research-writing-and-dissemination-training-workshop/
LOCATION:Ramada Resort\, Wyndham Dar es Salaam\, Tanzania\, United Republic of
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/african-peacebuilding-network-grantee-research-writing-and-dissemination-training-workshop-1-scaled-e1598547127276.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191213T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191214T170000
DTSTAMP:20211008T141524Z
CREATED:20211113T130000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211008T141524Z
UID:10000795-1576224000-1576342800@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network (EPON) - Annual Meeting and Seminar
DESCRIPTION:On 13-14 November 2019\, UVC Director Tatiana Carayannis and Senior Program Manager Aaron Pangburn participated in the Annual Meeting of the Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network (EPON). The first day served as an opportunity to report on network activities\, tweak the common methodology for the research studies\, and brainstorm potential new missions for 2020 site visits. On Thursday\, 14 November\, at the International Peace Institute\, various EPON researchers briefed New York-based policy makers and United Nations practitioners on the findings and lessons from EPON case studies to date\, as well as on the progress of the studies underway and future plans. Tatiana served as a panel discussant on Central Africa/Great Lakes\, and serves as a member of the external reference group. Aaron is a co-author of the EPON report on the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUC/MONUSCO)\, and UVC Research Associate Gino Vlavonou is a member of the research team for the EPON report on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)\, which will be published in February 2020. \nThe Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network aims to enhance the effectiveness of international peace operations by enabling and supporting collaborative research. The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)\, together with over 40 partners from across the globe\, has established an international network to jointly research the effectiveness of peace operations. SSRC joined the network during its inception phase in 2018. Each EPON case study focuses on a specific peace operation using a common methodology. In their own right\, these case studies provide unique insights into specific operations. Jointly\, however\, the case studies also create a comprehensive resource on peace operations and their effectiveness.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/effectiveness-of-peace-operations-network-epon-annual-meeting-and-seminar/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/post_title_banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191216
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191219
DTSTAMP:20210913T173520Z
CREATED:20210913T173520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210913T173520Z
UID:10000749-1576454400-1576713599@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:5th Annual CPPF-DPA MENA RC Forum (Geneva)
DESCRIPTION:On 16-18 December\, CPPF co-hosted its Sixth Annual Middle East and North Africa UN Resident Coordinators’ Forum in Geneva. The annual forum\, the first to take place under the new United Nations Reform of 2019 brought together the MENA region’s Resident Coordinators\, representatives from other parts of the UN system\, and external academic experts to examine the challenges facing the MENA region and to brainstorm new entry points and opportunities for the UN.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/5th-annual-cppf-dpa-mena-rc-forum-geneva/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ssrc_logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200120
DTSTAMP:20201026T163312Z
CREATED:20201019T200422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201026T163312Z
UID:10000656-1577836800-1579478399@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Beyond the New Media: Deep Time of Networks and Infrastructural Memory in Asia
DESCRIPTION:WORKSHOP DIRECTORS:\nXiao LiuAssistant Professor\, East Asian Studies\, McGill Universityauroliu@gmail.com \nShuang ShenAssociate Professor\, Comparative Literature Department & Asian Studies Department\, Pennsylvania State Universitysxs1075@psu.edu \nCALL FOR WORKSHOP PAPERS:\nIt is said that we are now living in a “network society\,” in which digital social media such as Twitter and Wechat\, or information and communication technologies from smart mobile phones to portable minicomputers\, form nodes and edges that knit everyone into interconnected networks. While digital and information technologies have indeed transformed the ways in which people interact with each other\, the fetish of the “new” media and information technologies in this understanding of the “network society” obscures historical forms of connectivity and the materiality of networks. A historical understanding of network would enable to us to gain a better understanding of the past and future of inter-Asia connections. \nAlthough Asia has never been unified\, there have been multifarious socio-political formations and cultural imaginaries aimed at bridging the gaps between disparate localities or nations-states in Asia. Whether we are talking about the spread of certain universalist philosophies and worldviews or the political alliances created in defiance against the domination of Superpowers\, inter-Asian connections have persisted throughout Asia’s historical passage from the era of empire and colonialism to the decades of nationalism and globalization. How can current discussions of “network society” come to terms with inter-Asian connectivity as histories of contact\, contest\, and negotiation in Asia? How do “new” media co-exist and intersect with networks and infrastructure that have facilitated the flows of goods\, people\, or ideas and allowed for their exchange over space and continuously reshaped geopolitical imaginations of Asia? \nThis panel foregrounds the deep time of network and adopts an interdisciplinary perspective to connectivity and infrastructure. As we probe into the conjunction between historical and present forms of connectivity as well as the intersection between “new” and “old” media in an inter-Asian context\, we intend to move beyond the narrow understanding of “media” as merely content carrier or the means for representing existing things. Rather\, we want to draw attention to the infrastructural aspect of the media in enabling the circulation of knowledge and things and producing new relations and connections. Asia is one of the fastest growing areas for new media and digital technology. Yet this fervor for the new media barely paints over an uneven space and discrepant histories of modernization and development. Only by viewing networks from historical and materialist perspectives\, and only through examining media or cultural networks in conjunction with networks of resource\, labor\, and commerce\, can we hope to gain a better understanding of contemporary Asia and inter-Asian connectivity in the era of globalization. \nWe invite a wide range of explorations into cultural and social networks and infrastructures that address the following questions: How do existing infrastructural networks\, from railway to historically evolved telecommunication networks\, to undersea cable systems\, indicate layers of historical powers and connectivity\, and thus\, the palimpsestic nature of networks? How does infrastructure register the presence and legacy of imperial and colonial power or symbolize the strategic alliance across sovereign\, linguistic\, ethnic\, and religious borders? How have different regions\, societies\, localities in Asia responded to the advent of the so-called “information age”? How do they make strategic uses of historical networks and cultural memories of connectivity to construct new information infrastructures and networks? How do local and regional flows of labor\, resources\, and knowledge suggest innovative forms of inter-Asian relationality that challenge historical or emergent geopolitical patterns\, such as the polarized divides of the Cold War? \nPotential topics include but are not limited to: \n\nComparison of the ways in which different regions and areas go through the process of “informationization” by making use of their existing infrastructures and networks\nThe overlapping of the purported “new” and “old” information technologies in specific or comparative Asian contexts\nThe repurposing of old infrastructure for new and emergent media networks\nTranslocal and regional media flows and media culture across Asia\nThe circulatory histories of the flow of resources\, labor and ideas underrepresented by national histories\nThe networks of knowledge production\, both ancient and contemporary that continuously reshape the imaginations of “Asia”\nThe infrastructural as institutional memories and records of human cost\, particularly those pertaining to inter-Asian connections\nOnline shopping media platforms in and across Asia such as Taobao and Amazon and logistical labor as part of everyday infrastructures that facilitate the smooth circulation of products and commodities
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/beyond-the-new-media-deep-time-of-networks-and-infrastructural-memory-in-asia/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hanoi-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200113T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200114T170000
DTSTAMP:20210913T173636Z
CREATED:20210913T173636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210913T173636Z
UID:10000751-1578902400-1579021200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Sanctions and Human Rights (Geneva)
DESCRIPTION:On 13-14 January\, CPPF convened an expert brainstorming on the impact of sanctions and human rights. The brainstorming analyzed the debate surrounding the nexus of sanctions and human rights to better inform the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights understanding and guidance in the field and at its headquarters.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/sanctions-and-human-rights-geneva/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200127T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200127T170000
DTSTAMP:20210913T173755Z
CREATED:20210913T173755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210913T173755Z
UID:10000753-1580115600-1580144400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Chad and the Region (New York)
DESCRIPTION:On 27 January\, CPPF organized an expert brainstorming on Chad and the Region. The meeting assessed recent developments in the region and explored opportunities for enhancing cross-border coordination of UN conflict prevention activities in Chad’s border areas.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/chad-and-the-region-new-york-2/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ssrc_logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200130T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200130T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152959Z
CREATED:20210913T174214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152959Z
UID:10000754-1580374800-1580403600@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Research Workshop on Disinformation\, Democratic Processes\, and Conflict Prevention
DESCRIPTION:On January 30\, 2020\, the SSRC convened the second research workshop of its Academic Network on Peace\, Security\, and the United Nations in New York\, an initiative of the Council’s Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum (CPPF) and its Understanding Violent Conflict (UVC) Program. This workshop\, on “Disinformation\, Democratic Processes\, and Conflict Prevention\,” examined the frameworks\, findings\, and debates in emerging scholarship on information disorder and the linkages between disinformation\, elections\, hate speech\, and identity-based violence. Participants drew on cases in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The workshop also explored the ways in which disinformation affects the UN conflict prevention agenda\, and how the UN system can better identify\, track\, and respond to the negative impacts of disinformation in countries and regions where the UN is engaged. \nThis workshop was a multiprogram collaboration led by CPPF. It drew on the Council’s new MediaWell initiative\, a disinformation research mapping web platform\, and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa program. \nCPPF commissioned Professor Sahana Udupa of Ludwig Maximilians-Universitat (LMU) Munich to draft a literature review on the intersection of hateful speech\, information disorder\, and conflict. The review was distributed to workshop participants\, together with several MediaWell research reviews. A summary version of this review is being prepared and will be published separately by MediaWell. \nThe SSRC Academic Network on Peace\, Security\, and the United Nations was established in 2019 out of a request from the United Nations Secretariat to provide UN entities and departments charged with responsibility for peace and security with better\, more systematic access to new and emerging research in the academy. The Academic Network also aims to facilitate collaborative engagements between the UN and various academic institutions\, research networks\, and professional associations working on conflict-management relevant research.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/research-workshop-on-disinformation-democratic-processes-and-conflict-prevention/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ssrc_logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200205
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200207
DTSTAMP:20210913T174412Z
CREATED:20210913T174412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210913T174412Z
UID:10000755-1580860800-1581033599@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Ethiopia (Nairobi)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/ethiopia-nairobi/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ssrc_logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200305
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200306
DTSTAMP:20210810T203842Z
CREATED:20200827T160909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210810T203842Z
UID:10000593-1583366400-1583452799@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Rethinking Approaches to Chronic Crises in Africa: American and African Perspectives
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in association with Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum (CPRF)\, held a conference on “Rethinking Approaches to Chronic Crises in Africa: American and African Perspectives\,” at the John Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies’ Kenney Auditorium\, on March 5\, 2020. The conference was organized around two panels featuring leading African scholars and American policy makers\, implementers\, and development actors. \nThe conference featured opening remarks by Cyril Obi\, Program Director of the African Peacebuilding Network and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa programs at the Social Science Research Council and Shamil Idriss\, CEO of Search for Common Ground. \nThe first panel discussion on “Understanding the Chronic Crises” was chaired by Mike Jobbins\, Associate Vice President\, Global Affairs and Partnerships at Search for Common Ground. It featured three presenters — Pamela Chepngetich (Kisii University\, Kenya)\, Christelle Amina Djoulde (University of Ngoundere\, Cameroon)\, and Titilope Folarin Ajayi (University of Ghana\, Legon)\, SSRC’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) program’s grant alumni researching chronic crises in three African countries. \nThe first presentation by Pamela Chepngetich on “Conflict and Crises in borderlands of Kenya and Somalia\,” focused on refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Dabaab Refugee Camp\, at one time the largest of its kind in the world. The presentation also examined persisting policy gaps\, self-settlement of some Somali refugees around the camp\, tensions around legal residency and citizenship (of non-Kenyan and Kenyan Somali’s)\, conflicts between refugees and Kenyan host-communities\, exclusion of women from decision-making\, and arguments for the closure of the Camp. \nIn her presentation on “Understanding conflict and crisis in Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR) Borderlands\,” focused on the role of local “women of peace” in indigenous Mbaya communities in East Central Cameroon and Western CAR. She analyzed the efficacy of indigenous peacebuilding in Cameroon and CAR\, particularly in preventing conflict between CAR refugees and Cameroonian host communities and spoke to her work advocating for the integration of cultural peacebuilding into official peacebuilding policies in Cameroon. \nThe third presentation by Titilope Ajayi\, on “Conflict and Crisis in the Lake Chad Basin\,” focused on how women in IDP camps were being affected by the Boko Haram conflict in North East Nigeria and the neighboring regions. She spoke to the trauma suffered by women in IDP camps\, including poverty\, lack of access to food\, transactional sex and sexual abuse\, and the lack of access to referral centers for victims of sexual violence perpetrated by Boko Haram fighters and the military. The presentation also analyzed issues related to the culture of silence\, high levels of violence\, inconsistencies and problems of coordination among development and humanitarian agencies. Other challenges identified by the presenter included inadequate funding\, lack of economic opportunities for women\, capacity deficits\, corruption\, the diversion of humanitarian aid\, poor governance and lack of political will. She also advocated for: a review of peace and security responses\, non-military approaches to peace and security\, leveraging the influence of mothers in programs for deradicalizing young men and women\, paying greater attention to the radicalization of women\, particularly those being stigmatized for having children born out of rape by Boko Haram fighters. \nThe discussions that followed involved the exchange of views on opportunities for leveraging the role of the military as a positive and developmental force\, increasing the meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding\, strengthening the role of the local media in promoting reconciliation and peace\, and the importance of linking locally-led to national and internationally-supported solutions. Other issues discussed included the need to address the exclusion of women from governance\, identifying opportunities to help build local resilience\, the role of local women in building peace in other parts of Cameroon\, and the implications of the disconnect between the international and local communities in Africa. Of note\, was the recognition of the importance of knowledge to more effective policy and humanitarian responses\, and the need to better address and bridge the gaps between research\, policy and action. \nThe second panel discussion on “Supporting African-Led Solutions\,” was chaired by Elizabeth (Liz) Hume\, with David Young\, Vanita Datta\, and Louis Le Masne as panelists. \nThe presentations that followed focused on the evolving global conflict\, peace and security landscape\, and identified growing challenges in the form of spiraling violence\, conflicts and increasing numbers of internally displaced persons in Africa.  They reviewed ongoing efforts in the US to put together a new framework for addressing global fragility. Of note was the discussion of the US government’s framework for achieving greater effectiveness\, alignment and coherence in addressing global fragility.  The dimensions of global fragility and the principles underpinning integrated military and civilian stabilization operations were explored. Other issues covered by the presentations included the coordinating role of the State Department\, working with partners and local NGOs to build resilience and prevent conflict relapse\, and determining key aspects of burden sharing with fragile states. Some of the problems facing such coordination efforts were identified as including\, the changing nature of conflict\, addressing complex transborder threats and instability through bilateral responses\, operating in highly fluid political areas which adversely affect timelines\, expectations and the ability to monitor and measure results. \nAlso\, of note\, were discussions about the forms of support that could contribute towards promoting broad based economic growth in Africa and end dependence on foreign assistance. The importance of learning from past mistakes\, identifying potential opportunities for support and ensuring that no one is left behind in addressing chronic crises were identified as critical to helping build stability in Africa. The presentations also pointed to the importance of partnering with the private sector\, learning from contextual knowledge\, and the importance of working with partners at the local\, national and sub-regional levels. In relation to addressing fragility\, they emphasized the need to pro-actively tailor objectives to address problems and explore ways of expanding opportunities to address chronic crises in Africa.  Also\, the work of the USAID in relation to Prosper Africa Act\, and the Global Shea Alliance was seen as examples of initiatives that had successfully contributed to economic growth in some West African countries. Also\, issues around migration\, media programming\, and public accountability were discussed in relation to expanding opportunities for collaboration aimed at promoting development\, stability and peace in Africa. \nThe presentations also focused on partnerships with grassroots organizations in West Africa in the areas of providing support for local communities\, training traditional leaders and grassroots organizations\, and facilitating consultations at the local level\, as well as reconciliation and reintegration programs. The role of international partners working with African institutions in giving local people a voice in development programs was seen as a vital contribution towards fostering locally grounded solutions to chronic crises in the continent. \nLastly\, the discussions also focused on the ways the US government and development actors could effectively address chronic crises in Africa\, including strategies for an African approach that could contribute towards reducing foreign assistance. They also explored various approaches for engaging the private sector and working with willing international and local partners in ensuring effective coordination of programs and interventions in conflict-affected regions of Africa. In all\, the conference provided an excellent platform for scholars\, development actors and implementers to have frank exchanges on addressing chronic crises in Africa.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/rethinking-approaches-to-chronic-crises-in-africa-american-and-african-perspectives-2/
LOCATION:SAIS John Hopkins School for Advanced International Affairs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/202653870_d132bc8e53_o.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200305
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200306
DTSTAMP:20210811T161018Z
CREATED:20200821T164652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210811T161018Z
UID:10000585-1583366400-1583452799@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Rethinking Approaches to Chronic Crises in Africa: American and African Perspectives
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in association with Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum (CPRF)\, held a conference on “Rethinking Approaches to Chronic Crises in Africa: American and African Perspectives\,” at the John Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies’ Kenney Auditorium\, on March 5\, 2020. The conference was organized around two panels featuring leading African scholars and American policy makers\, implementers\, and development actors. \nThe conference featured opening remarks by Cyril Obi\, Program Director of the African Peacebuilding Network and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa programs at the Social Science Research Council and Shamil Idriss\, CEO of Search for Common Ground. \nThe first panel discussion on “Understanding the Chronic Crises” was chaired by Mike Jobbins\, Associate Vice President\, Global Affairs and Partnerships at Search for Common Ground. It featured three presenters — Pamela Chepngetich (Kisii University\, Kenya)\, Christelle Amina Djoulde (University of Ngoundere\, Cameroon)\, and Titilope Folarin Ajayi (University of Ghana\, Legon)\, SSRC’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) program’s grant alumni researching chronic crises in three African countries. \nThe first presentation by Pamela Chepngetich on “Conflict and Crises in borderlands of Kenya and Somalia\,” focused on refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Dabaab Refugee Camp\, at one time the largest of its kind in the world. The presentation also examined persisting policy gaps\, self-settlement of some Somali refugees around the camp\, tensions around legal residency and citizenship (of non-Kenyan and Kenyan Somali’s)\, conflicts between refugees and Kenyan host-communities\, exclusion of women from decision-making\, and arguments for the closure of the Camp. \nIn her presentation on “Understanding conflict and crisis in Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR) Borderlands\,” focused on the role of local “women of peace” in indigenous Mbaya communities in East Central Cameroon and Western CAR. She analyzed the efficacy of indigenous peacebuilding in Cameroon and CAR\, particularly in preventing conflict between CAR refugees and Cameroonian host communities and spoke to her work advocating for the integration of cultural peacebuilding into official peacebuilding policies in Cameroon. \nThe third presentation by Titilope Ajayi\, on “Conflict and Crisis in the Lake Chad Basin\,” focused on how women in IDP camps were being affected by the Boko Haram conflict in North East Nigeria and the neighboring regions. She spoke to the trauma suffered by women in IDP camps\, including poverty\, lack of access to food\, transactional sex and sexual abuse\, and the lack of access to referral centers for victims of sexual violence perpetrated by Boko Haram fighters and the military. The presentation also analyzed issues related to the culture of silence\, high levels of violence\, inconsistencies and problems of coordination among development and humanitarian agencies. Other challenges identified by the presenter included inadequate funding\, lack of economic opportunities for women\, capacity deficits\, corruption\, the diversion of humanitarian aid\, poor governance and lack of political will. She also advocated for: a review of peace and security responses\, non-military approaches to peace and security\, leveraging the influence of mothers in programs for deradicalizing young men and women\, paying greater attention to the radicalization of women\, particularly those being stigmatized for having children born out of rape by Boko Haram fighters. \nThe discussions that followed involved the exchange of views on opportunities for leveraging the role of the military as a positive and developmental force\, increasing the meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding\, strengthening the role of the local media in promoting reconciliation and peace\, and the importance of linking locally-led to national and internationally-supported solutions. Other issues discussed included the need to address the exclusion of women from governance\, identifying opportunities to help build local resilience\, the role of local women in building peace in other parts of Cameroon\, and the implications of the disconnect between the international and local communities in Africa. Of note\, was the recognition of the importance of knowledge to more effective policy and humanitarian responses\, and the need to better address and bridge the gaps between research\, policy and action. \nThe second panel discussion on “Supporting African-Led Solutions\,” was chaired by Elizabeth (Liz) Hume\, with David Young\, Vanita Datta\, and Louis Le Masne as panelists. \nThe presentations that followed focused on the evolving global conflict\, peace and security landscape\, and identified growing challenges in the form of spiraling violence\, conflicts and increasing numbers of internally displaced persons in Africa.  They reviewed ongoing efforts in the US to put together a new framework for addressing global fragility. Of note was the discussion of the US government’s framework for achieving greater effectiveness\, alignment and coherence in addressing global fragility.  The dimensions of global fragility and the principles underpinning integrated military and civilian stabilization operations were explored. Other issues covered by the presentations included the coordinating role of the State Department\, working with partners and local NGOs to build resilience and prevent conflict relapse\, and determining key aspects of burden sharing with fragile states. Some of the problems facing such coordination efforts were identified as including\, the changing nature of conflict\, addressing complex transborder threats and instability through bilateral responses\, operating in highly fluid political areas which adversely affect timelines\, expectations and the ability to monitor and measure results. \nAlso\, of note\, were discussions about the forms of support that could contribute towards promoting broad based economic growth in Africa and end dependence on foreign assistance. The importance of learning from past mistakes\, identifying potential opportunities for support and ensuring that no one is left behind in addressing chronic crises were identified as critical to helping build stability in Africa. The presentations also pointed to the importance of partnering with the private sector\, learning from contextual knowledge\, and the importance of working with partners at the local\, national and sub-regional levels. In relation to addressing fragility\, they emphasized the need to pro-actively tailor objectives to address problems and explore ways of expanding opportunities to address chronic crises in Africa.  Also\, the work of the USAID in relation to Prosper Africa Act\, and the Global Shea Alliance was seen as examples of initiatives that had successfully contributed to economic growth in some West African countries. Also\, issues around migration\, media programming\, and public accountability were discussed in relation to expanding opportunities for collaboration aimed at promoting development\, stability and peace in Africa. \nThe presentations also focused on partnerships with grassroots organizations in West Africa in the areas of providing support for local communities\, training traditional leaders and grassroots organizations\, and facilitating consultations at the local level\, as well as reconciliation and reintegration programs. The role of international partners working with African institutions in giving local people a voice in development programs was seen as a vital contribution towards fostering locally grounded solutions to chronic crises in the continent. \nLastly\, the discussions also focused on the ways the US government and development actors could effectively address chronic crises in Africa\, including strategies for an African approach that could contribute towards reducing foreign assistance. They also explored various approaches for engaging the private sector and working with willing international and local partners in ensuring effective coordination of programs and interventions in conflict-affected regions of Africa. In all\, the conference provided an excellent platform for scholars\, development actors and implementers to have frank exchanges on addressing chronic crises in Africa.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/rethinking-approaches-to-chronic-crises-in-africa-american-and-african-perspectives/
LOCATION:SAIS John Hopkins School for Advanced International Affairs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ssrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/49677482298_932e508cae_o-scaled-e1628698196562.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR