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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210908
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210910
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SUMMARY:Climate Change\, Peace\, and Security in the MENA Region (VTC)
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nOn 8-9 September 2021\, at the request of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs\, CPPF convened an expert brainstorming on climate change\, peace\, and security in the MENA region. The two-day workshop aimed to supplement an ongoing UN initiative to create an interagency task force on climate change\, peace\, and security in the region.\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/climate-change-peace-and-security-in-the-mena-region-vtc/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210914T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210914T170000
DTSTAMP:20210924T165138Z
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SUMMARY:2020 SSRC Fellow Lecture
DESCRIPTION:Aihwa Ong\nProfessor of Anthropology\, University of California\, Berkeley\nSpeaks on: \nNear-Humans\, Cloned Monkeys\, & CRISPR Babies: Productive Uncertainty in China’s Quest for Biosecurity\n  \n \nWith responses by: \nDuana Fullwiley\nAssociate Professor of Anthropology\, Stanford University \nGuobin Yang\nGrace Lee Boggs Professor of Communications & Sociology\, University of Pennsylvania \nWednesday\, September 23\, 2020 – 4:00 PM (ET) \nWatch the Lecture \n  \nAbout the Lecture\nAnthropological inquiry enhances STS (Science\, Technology\, and Society Studies) by analyzing the diversity of contexts and perspectives that participate in contemporary knowledge-making processes. The focal point for the discipline concerns how values and beliefs about being human mutate and what modes of living and forms of life modernity subsequently puts at stake. Reflexive ethnographic research illuminates how specific cases and contingent circumstances connect to big questions and situated practices contribute to globalized change. Ong’s approach has always been poised at the intersections of particularity and globality\, difference and interconnectivity\, human and non-human\, and stability and uncertainty. \nSuch a vantage point analyzes how Asia’s emerging biomedical sites productively engage and transform contemporary science through a process of de- and re-contextualization\, thus making it cosmopolitan. \nAbout Aihwa Ong\nAihwa Ong is professor of anthropology at the University of California\, Berkeley. She is a member of the Science Council of the International Panel on Social Progress. \nOng has published on a range of topics including the anthropology of labor\, governance\, sovereignty\, cities\, citizenship\, life sciences\, and experimental art in the Asia-Pacific. She has lectured internationally and been invited to the World Economic Forum. Her awards include grants from the MacArthur Foundation and the National Science Foundation\, and some book prizes. \nOng is the author of five works: Fungible Life: Experiment in the Asian City of Life (2016); Neoliberalism as Exception: Mutations in Citizenship and Sovereignty (2006); Buddha Is Hiding: Refugees\, Citizenship\, the New America (2003); Flexible Citizenship: The Cultural Logics of Transnationality (1999); and Spirits of Resistance and Capitalist Discipline: Factory Women in Malaysia (1986). She is also the coeditor of Global Assemblages: Technology\, Politics and Ethics as Anthropological Problems (2005\, with Stephen J. Collier). Other coedited works include Worlding Cities: Asian Experiments and the Art of Being Global (2011); Asian Biotech: Ethics and Communities of Fate (2010); Privatizing China: Socialism from Afar (2008); and Ungrounded Empires: The Cultural Politics of Modern Chinese Transnationalism (1997). Her writings are translated into European and Asian languages.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2020-ssrc-fellow-lecture/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210921T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210922T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152858Z
CREATED:20211028T133729Z
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SUMMARY:Webinar on Conflict and Peacebuilding in Mozambique
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN)\, in collaboration with the African Leadership Center (ALC) of Kings College London\, and Wilton Park held a virtual two-day webinar on “Conflict and Peacebuilding in Mozambique\,” from September 21 to 22\, 2021. The webinar was the latest in a “Peacebuilding in Africa series” launched in 2015 aimed towards ‘moving peacebuilding beyond state and elite-centered approaches to encompass the wider communities involved in conflict\, including youth and women’s networks on the continent.’ Participants included high-level practitioners\, scholars\, activists\, and staff and fellows of the African Leadership Centre (ALC)\, African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Science in Africa (NextGen) programs of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). \nThe webinar commenced with an introduction and welcome remarks by Robert Grant\, program director at Wilton Park\, followed by a Town Hall discussion on “The future of Mozambique.” The panel of speakers included Adriano Nuvunga and Constancio Machanguana\, both of Eduardo Mondlane University\, Maputo\, Mozambique and Ambassador Welile Nhlapo of African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)\, South Africa. The panel was moderated by Funmi Olonisakin\, the Vice President (International) of Kings College\, London. The presenters spoke to the fragile peace in Mozambique\, noting the ways in which elite-centric extractivism and global trade in natural resources are undermining governance\, peace and development in the country. Other identified challenges included  the unfinished business of Security Sector Reforms (SSR)\, disputed election outcomes\, marginalization of certain regions of the country to the point of the near absence of state authority and development\, aid dependency and the effects of climate change. During the discussions that followed\, participants noted the issue of a lost historical opportunity to rebuild the country after the Rome Agreement of 1992\, the lost connection between the ruling FRELIMO ruling party and its social base after independence\, corruption and the need for more transparent and accountable governance. Of note were discussions around the activities of extremist groups in Cabo Delgado province and the terms of engagement of international peacekeepers from the South African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda. \nThe second day was a closed session that afforded presenters a greater opportunity to delve deeper into some of the issues discussed the previous day. The webinar commenced with opening remarks by Robert Grant\, program director at Wilton Park\, Cyril Obi\, program director of SSRC’s APN and Shuvai Nyoni\, executive director of the ALC. Their remarks were followed by a session on “Identity and Statehood\,” followed by breakout sessions on\, “Strengthening the role of next generation peacebuilding actors.” The breakout sessions were divided along the lines of the following sub-themes: Mozambique corridors: regional dynamics; Gender and reconciliation; Future Governance; and Intergenerational contestations. The speakers at the session on identity and statehood were Joao Honwana\, a retired UN official and consultant and Brian Kagoro\, director of the  Africa Regional Office of the Open Society Foundation (OSF). They described how the Mozambican state exists in conjunction with multiple identities that did not exist in harmony. It was noted that the ruling FRELIMO party and the ruling elite have yet to build national unity and some hope was expressed that a new elite would emerge to bridge the division between the haves and have-nots and embark on a new national conversation that would move the country towards social transformation. It was argued that the local context “should be read transnationally” and solutions must be approached from the local\, regional and global levels. \nDiscussions focused on the local challenges: regional disparities\, widespread poverty\, youth unemployment\, marginalization of women\, fragile peace agreements\, and regional challenges — including the relatively poor response of the SADC — particularly its penchant for state-centric elitist responses and weak peace and security architecture. At the global level\, the extractive nature of big business was noted alongside aid dependency and the activities of transnational criminal networks and extremist groups. Emphasis was placed on paying attention to the role of non-state approaches to peacebuilding\, including the role of civil society in engaging the state and big business\, the need for psychological support to marginalized and traumatized groups. The need for additional research\, education\, youth and women’s empowerment and devolution of power to local communities\, including a role for traditional leaders\, were also emphasized. \nIn the closing and wrap up session\, Monde Muyangwa of the Wilton Center\, provided a succinct summary of the discussions over the two days\, pointing to the shortcomings of the Mozambican state as well as a global power structure that had fallen short of protecting African people. She also underscored the centrality of inclusive governance as a key ingredient for transforming peacebuilding in Africa\, noting that the “people are the owners of peace.” She then explored the possibilities for building networks of solidarity and emphasized the need to “re-envision the state in Africa” in ways that would make the state serve the ordinary people—and help build inclusive and sustainable peace and development.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/webinar-on-conflict-and-peacebuilding-in-mozambique/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20210928T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20210930T170000
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SUMMARY:APN and Next Gen 2021 Virtual Fellows Research Methods Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) programs held their joint virtual fellows Research Methods Workshop from September 28-30\, 2021. The workshop featured activities ranging from keynote lectures by leading scholars\, cohort/thematic workshop and one-on-one mentoring sessions\, and a joint fellows discussion panel. The opening address at the workshop was given by Cyril Obi\, the program director of the APN and Next Gen programs\, followed by welcome remarks by Ron Kassimir\, the SSRC’s Vice President of Programs\, and an introduction of fellows and facilitators by Duncan Omanga\, the program officer of the APN and Next Gen. \nThis was followed by a keynote presentation by Prof. Sabelo Ndlovu-Gasheni\, on “The Contemporary Politics of Knowledge and Agenda of Decolonization in the 21st Century.” The presentation pointed to the need to theorize methodology in relation to how knowledge frames reality\, particularly how it can be instrumentalized to control the mind of the colonized. To overcome such control and the ‘coloniality of power\,’ would require unpacking knowledge production in ‘an age of epistemological turbulence\,’ ‘rethinking\, rethinking itself\,’ and decolonizing methodologies of knowledge production in an era characterized by four methods of subjecting the human mind to the cognitive empire These were identified as at the structural\, epistemic\, relational and personal levels. In conclusion\, Prof. Ndlovu-Gasheni explored options for addressing cognitive injustices and decolonizing knowledge production\, ranging from epistemic disobedience and learning to take ourselves seriously as knowers\, by being strategic and clever. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session\, which offered further clarifications and advice to fellows. The keynote session was followed by the cohort and thematic sessions during which fellows engaged with each other and their facilitators on various aspects of their research projects and dissertations. \n  \nThe second day of the workshop commenced with another keynote presentation by Prof. Ismail Rashid  on\, “Navigating Elements of Complexity\, Reflexivity\, and Flexibility: Reflections on Research Ethics During Global Pandemics.” The presentation explored the disruptive impact of pandemics on everyday life\, zeroing in on field research methods\, particularly in relation to travels\, social interactions\, and transnational research collaborations. Using Ebola and Covid-19 as examples\, Prof Ismail explained how the pandemics exposed social inequities\, forced us to reflect on hierarchies and prejudices\, and to be critically reflective of what it means to be African and how to be an ethical researcher. Prof. Ismail urged researchers to stop and think about the ethical issues related to the pandemic\, including the feasibility of starting new research projects. Some of the proposed options to address challenges emerging from conducting research during pandemics included project cancellation or postponement modifying or changing topics\, and  tweaking the duration of such projects. Other topics covered included educating field assistants and respondents on relevant national health protocols and guidelines\, increasing the level of attentiveness\, and exploring the feasibility and accessibility of using digital tools and platforms. He cautioned against taking shortcuts and advised participants to take research ethics seriously\, particularly in terms of doing no harm: having sensitivity\, solidarity and compassion. The question and answer session explored issues related to research ethics\, epistemology\, knowledge production and the costs and benefits of digital research tools and methodologies. The keynote session was followed by the cohort and thematic sessions during which fellows engaged with each other and their facilitators on various aspects of their research projects and dissertations. \nCohort\, thematic and one-on-one sessions of  fellows and mentors continued on the third day of the workshop. These were followed by the joint APN and Next Gen fellows’ discussion panel on “Doing Research in the Context of a Pandemic: Planning\, Reducing Risk and Ensuring Validity.” The panelists spoke to the ways the Covid-19 pandemic affected their research plans\, and how they addressed the challenges posed by travel restrictions  research budget cuts and data collection. Some spoke to specific types of research that did not lend themselves to the use of digital research methods\, and how this impacted timelines\, research completion rates and decisions to cut down of the scope of their research. In her discussion of the various presentations\, Prof. Eunice Camara emphasized the importance of research principles based on adaptability\, sensitivity to contexts\, safety\, as well as the significance of using technologies in overcoming challenges related to data shaped by the context of the pandemic. She also spoke to options for navigating issues of validity and the ethical considerations surrounding these. Her presentation was followed by robust discussions by fellows\, who  drew  from their personal experiences in the field\, detailing the  challenges they faced and how these were resolved. \nIn the closing session\, APN and Next Gen fellows presented feedback on the various sessions of the workshops\, sharing their key takeaways as well as experiences working with peers and experienced mentors. They all agreed that the workshop had been a life-changing experience\, helping them to refine their project proposals and research designs\, and inspiring them to expand the frontiers of their research. This was followed by closing remarks by Duncan Omanga and Cyril Obi who expressed their profound thanks to the fellows and facilitators for contributing to the overall success of the workshop.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/apn-and-next-gen-2021-virtual-fellows-research-methods-workshop/
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