r4d forum 2016 social conflicts and public event “cutting ... · r4d forum 2016 social conflicts...

January 2017 – zin

Notes on the

r4d Forum 2016 Social Conflicts and public event “Cutting edges in conflict transformation research”

1. The r4d Forum 2016 Social Conflicts

The r4d Forum 2016 Social Conflicts took place on the occasion of the mid-term evaluation of the

three funded r4d projects. It provided opportunities for critical exchange between the full research

consortia and the complete Review Panel for mid-term evaluation and recommendations for the

research phase 2 (years four to six), for presenting research results and fostering exchange within

the scientific community as well as with interested representatives from the wider public, policy

and practice, and for identifying cross-cutting issues between the three r4d projects to establish

ground for collectively working towards joint synthesis processes and products.

The agenda of the r4d Forum 2016 Social Conflicts was as follows:

Day 1: 26 September 2016

• 09.00-10.00 Welcome, Agenda, r4d Forum spirit

• 10.00-15.30 REVIEW PANEL: Mid-term evaluation (completed at 15.30h)

• 10.00-15.30 CONSORTIA: Preparation of public event contributions

• 16.00-19.00 Public event “Cutting Edges in Conflict Transformation Research”

• 19.00-21.00 Dinner

Day 2: 27 September 2016

• 09.00-09.30 Debriefing Day 1, agenda Day 2

• 09.30-11.00 Consortia meetings/Review Panel drafting synthesis proposal

• 11.00-16.00 Pre-synthesis workshop

• 16.00-17.00 Outlook, wrap-up and closing

On the occasion of the r4d Forum 2016 Social Conflicts 22 researchers, 8 review panel members,

27 representatives from policy and practice and 6 r4d programme staff and consultants came

together.

www.r4d.ch Wildhainweg 3, P.O. Box, CH-3001 Berne

Swiss National Science FoundationProgrammes division

r4d [email protected]

Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development | 2

2. Mid-term evaluation

All three projects in the thematic module Social Conflicts of the r4d programme successfully passed

the mid-term evaluation and were prolonged for three years. Congratulations!

3. Public event

The objectives of the window to the public were:

To present to a broader public of informed researchers, policy makers and practitioners the

preliminary results of the research projects and confront them to the views of other researchers

and specialists

To consider implications and proposals for policy changes and discuss them with policy makers

and practitioners

To make proposals for new ways of addressing issues relevant in the field of peacebuilding and

conflict resolution strategies and discuss them with policy makers and practitioners

The event started by two opening speeches by the Review Panel president Dirk Messner, Director

of the German Institute of Development, and ambassador Thomas Greminger, Vice director of SDC

and Head of the Regional Programmes (see speech by Thomas Greminger in annex 1). The greater

part of the public event was mainly articulated around a world café, that means group exchange

organised in 3 steps, each participant having the possibility to change the group after each step.

The three projects provided insights and discussions on nine findings.

The three presented findings of the “Fostering pluralistic memories and collective resilience in

fragile transitional justice processes” project (PMP) were on the following topics (see posters in

Annex):

Complex memories: hidden resources for conflict transformation?

Classic, mainstream for public truth telling leave out complex experiences and nuances from

the local level. How can the future be open, if narratives and understandings about who was

right and wrong in conflict are fixed?


The role of local communication structures in fostering support for transitional justice

mechanisms

Mass media tends to promote generalised versions of the ‘truth’ about conflict and resilience.

Hence, it tends to marginalise nuances and alternative narratives that may be crucial for

productive pathways of peace.

Preserving Pluralism: Sharing Memories in Safe Spaces

How can we create safe social spaces that enable to emergence and co-existence of different

narratives and histories of conflict? The PMP project has been experimenting with various

methodologies and conditionalities. In this case, they show what has been done in Sri-Lanka.

The three presented findings of the “Gender Dimensions on Social Conflict, Armed Violence and

Peace-building” project (GDC) were on the following topics (see posters in Annex):

Community-Driven Early Warning as Conflict De-escalation

Case study work from Nigeria show how communities organise and create information

networks for rumour-control and early warning mechanisms to mitigate conflicts.

Female Combatants Are Peacebuilders, too!

A case from Indonesia – where young female combatants played an important role in escalating

violence AND, at a later stage as peace-builders. For some this improved their socio-economic

status. Yet poorer women were left behind.

A Norm without the Name?

A case from Aceh where women's groups use the norms of UN resolution 1325 in a locally

‘translated’ form.

The three presented findings of the “Ethnic power relations and conflicts in fragile states” project

(EPR) focused on the following topics (no posters provided):

Mobilisation and natural resource conflicts

Example from Guatemala, Zambia and India: Different ethnic groups coming together to defy

(international) initiatives to extract resources. Why did it work, while it so often fails? The

ingredients: urgency, gravity, but also institutions for a) pluriform, traditional governance and

b) effective judicial action.

An analysis of (a)symmetric peace agreements

Data-analysis of over 40 peace agreements dating back to the 1980s suggest that in most

cases, peace deals fail. Primary reasons seem to be power asymmetries, disadvantaging parties

challenging the state. These in turn are due to flawed design and misunderstanding of

dynamics around power asymmetries.

The EPR database

The body of knowledge on conflict transformation suffers from two inadequacies. 1. Majority of

research is case-study based, which makes comparison and synthesis difficult; 2. There is a

bias towards inter-group dynamics, at the cost of intra-group analysis. The EPR database

addresses both gaps by looking at group-level inequality and by offering statistics that enable

to building of bridges between conflict studies and researchers across countries and


continents. As such it is a ‘bridge building’ tool for enhancing the knowledge base and improve

its application.

4. Debriefing day 1 and pre-synthesis workshop

4.1 Three main takeaways from day 1

From keynote: In times of resource scarcity and crises of various sorts, unprecedented levels

of collaboration and reconciliation are demanded to address global challenges. This

emphasises the need to:

o Develop a better understanding of conflict dynamics

o Translate that understanding into policies, skills and tools for institutions and citizens

o Develop innovative forms of knowledge generation and application in ways that speeds

up the above

From the public event: There is a natural ‘audience’ for the findings of this research in

Switzerland, that includes bigger NGOs, activists, other academics and policy makers. The

public event was one of the first steps in Switzerland to reach out beyond the immediate

networks of the partners. We can and need to do more, including drawing on experiences and

knowledge from outside actors, e.g. Swisspeace.

To date, the three consortia have primarily concentrated on their own projects, which has been

complex enough. But the first explorations for synergy and collaboration have generated an

appetite to work together and learn more from each other in the second research phase.

Conflict transformation ‘naturally’ associates with peace-building strategies and activities.

While this is useful, there is also a risk to lose the perspectives of poverty alleviation and

development that are at the heart of SDCs rationale to invest in the r4d-programme.

The project teams discussed some thematic issues in mini-workshops on the following topics: Co-

authorship and archiving; Gender and natural resources; Methodologies for dialogue and

construction of safe spaces; Research uptake and communication; Indicators of resilience; Power

dynamics and local level.


4.2 Pre-synthesis workshop

The Review Panel presented a sketch of possible synthesis processes that could emerge across all

three projects. Based on the draft synthesis concept of the r4d programme, synthesis processes in

the Social Conflicts module works towards the following goals: 1) Adding value to a) sustainability

at the local level; b) national policy level, c) understanding of sustainable development across

countries; 2) Enhancing understanding of controversial questions; 3) Formulating lessons learnt

for Agenda 2030; 4) Contributing lessons learned from mixed methods and co-creation of

knowledge (multi- and transdisciplinary and international) for research for development and

science innovation. The Review Panel made a proposition to the research consortia members

according to which the participants subsequently emerged into first discussions.

Synergies

1. Natural synergies from projects (content, methodology, regional)

Synthesis “hooks”

2. Contributions/lessons learnt for Agenda 2030, SDG Goal 16 “Promote peaceful and inclusive

societies for SD, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive

institutions at all levels”

3. Institution-building

4. Contributions to discourses in conflict transformation and peacebuilding

4.2.1 Synergies

The synergy between the projects seem to be in the triangle between ‘violence, identity and

inequality’ with a view on hidden responses to peacebuilding, fine and nuanced new perspectives,

based on stakeholder approaches. Specifically, the following was identified between the three

projects:

GDC-PMP: looking beyond stereotypes (gender, “truth”), big questions (political use of femininity

and history) and take them to the local, create dialogue and spaces

EPR-GDC: Intersectionality (gender, ethnicity), micro-perceptions, links between narrative of

ethno-nationalism and gender stereotypes

PMP-EPR: legacies of conflicts and conflict traps (why do conflicts repeat?); mobilisation patterns,

myths and history, perceived and objective truths

Possible ways to make use of the synergies and to take them further were identified as:

Look into specific bilateral synergies between consortia, such as:

Gender dimensions of natural resources

Construction of local indicators for resilience


Exploring the relation between inequality and mobilisation strategies

The creation of safe spaces, both for research and for conflict transformation

Practically: work with common panels in upcoming conferences, link to doctoral students event,

look more into media.

4.2.2 Contributions/lessons learnt for Agenda 2030, SDG Goal 16

The projects identify as key Sustainable Development Goals not only the Goal 16 on Peace, Justice

and Strong Institutions but also their contributions to the Goal 5 on Gender Equality, the Goal 10

on Reduced Inequality. With respect to the specific targets of Goal 16 the following contributions

from the projects were identified:

16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

GDC and PMP: early warning, building resilient communities

16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels, and ensure equal access

to justice for all

PMP, EPR and GDC: impact of transformational justice processes; policies/rules of

redistributions, law enforcement agencies

16.4 By 2030 significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen recovery and

return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime

EPR and GDC: ethnic inequality and defense spending, small arms controls in communities

16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

EPR and GDC: participatory institutions at local levels, communities and resources

management

16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all

levels

The discussions on this synthesis hook revealed as particularly relevant for all projects the

following concepts, issues and products:

inclusive institutions

responsive government on impartial representation

consider research and results from the projects in the context of 2030 Agenda, goals and

targets

Workshops and regional cooperations

Policy briefs

4.2.3 Institutions-building

In the discussion on the synthesis hook on institution-building, the participants identified the

following as possible ways to go about this thematic strand:

meaning of institutions in the 21st century

clarify institutional perspectives within and between consortia

look at institutions in the various TOCs of the project

look for synergy between the micro and meso perspectives of GDC and PMO and the

macro/meta perspectives of EPR.

move from institution building to institutional transformation

change institutions by changing underlying power relations (incentives, level playing field,

enforcements


How this perspective can lead to more impact? Intensifying evidence based lobby, equip local actors

with more knowledge about institutional landscapes and spaces for interventions, specifically look

at media as an institution

4.2.4 Contributions to discourses in conflict transformation and peacebuilding

The discussion in this synthesis hook resulted in the following:

In this discourses and semantics around conflicts matter

look for synergy between the micro and meso perspectives of GDC and PMP and the

macro/meta perspectives of EPR.

locate current lines and results of research within and beyond main school of thought around

conflict (the liberal democratic school, the ‘solutions’ school and the critical school, that also

look as hybrid)

5. Next steps

October 2016: Decisions by National Research Council and Presiding Board taken

November 2016: Formal clearance and budgetary planning of phase 2

December 2016/January 2017: Detailed publication plans of all three consortia

January 2017: Submission of session proposals for International Conference on Research for

Development ICRD 2017 “Evidence. Engagement. Policies.” (see www.icrd.ch)

April/May 2017: Draft Proposal by Review Panel for Synthesis Work in the Module Social

Conflicts

September 2017: ICRD 2017, joint sessions and refinement of synthesis processes

From September 2017: Collaborations for synthesis products


Annex 1: Speech by Ambassador Thomas Greminger

Welcome Note Public Event “Cutting Edges in Conflict Transformation”

By Ambassador Thomas Greminger

Monday, 26 September 2016, 16.00

Dear Colleagues representing research institutions

Colleagues representing the Swiss National Science Foundation

Distinguished Participants of the Review Panel

Dear Colleagues of multilateral and intergovernmental organizations

Colleagues and friends of non-governmental organizations

• I wish you a warm welcome on behalf of SDC. Thanks to all of you for having taken the

journey to the Swiss Capital. And welcome to this wonderful museum, a true landmark of Berne.

• Paul Klee once said that things get complicated when science starts to deal with art. One

could now be tempted to say with Klee’s words that problems start when science begins to intervene

into development policy.

• I would not dare to - the contrary is true: We need science and its evidence-based results

to develop good policy, particularly in fragile contexts. And we can only benefit from the good

partnership between Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Swiss Agency for

Development and Cooperation (SDC).

• There are still some open questions concerning the relationship between scientific research

and development policy for poverty reduction. The most important one is the following: Is our

development work really based on scientific underpinnings? Or are our activities merely based on

rules, administrative processes and political decisions? We know very well, that our development

work is subject to scientific research – but to we reversely make good use of scientific research to

design our interventions?

• This leads us to a second question: Is our institution a “learning institution” that promotes

a culture of learning from failures and successes? We at SDC proudly reiterate that we are. But

are we really?

• One precondition for a culture of learning is the sound methodological and social

competence of our staff. After more than one year in in my function in SDC, I can assure you that

our national and international staff has remarkable profiles in this regard. This makes SDC and

its staff fit for competition on the labor market, in Switzerland and abroad. SDC is the Swiss core

agency to deliver humanitarian assistance to the most marginalized and discriminated poor and

to contribute to poverty reduction, peace and statebuilding in more than 47 countries. Our

mandate, values and our staff are SDC’s competitive advantage.

• A second precondition for our learning culture is innovation. We must not only be open to

innovation – we need to be part of it. In order to make this point, I will elaborate a bit further on

SDC’s focus on fragile and conflict affected countries.

• In fragile contexts, success of our interventions is harder to achieve than in other ODA

recipient countries. Barley one Millennium Development Goal (MDG) has been achieved in fragile

contexts. Considering that half of the world’s poor live in fragile and conflict affected countries,

this poses an enormous challenge to development cooperation.


• Working in fragile contexts for a bilateral donor agency like SDC means working with

instable governmental systems, facing insecurity and fiduciary risks, namely, corruption, delay in

project implementation, etc.

• Switzerland addresses fragility in its multidimensional forms and engages within the donor

community as Co-Chair of the International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCF) and the

OECD-DAC New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. Switzerland translated its operational

experience in peace and state-building into its strong contribution to the Agenda 2030 for

Sustainable Development. Especially Goal 16 on peaceful societies and rule of law provides a new

and strong framework for our contribution to positive change.

• Let me talk now about how the research partnerships addressing social conflict are feeding

substantially into our policy and operational work. I would like to give you three examples which

are linked into the three research consortia on ethnic power relations, gender and pluralistic

memory:

1) First, on power relations: In fragile contexts, SDCs starting point is a thorough assessment

of the context which includes the analysis of economic, social and political actors. Political

economy and power-based poverty analysis are at the core of our strategic and operational

planning. Within this, we identify actors for positive change for inclusion and gender equality.

2) Secondly, with regard to gender equality, we go beyond the creation of an enabling

environment for change and we put gender issues in the core of our work in fragile and conflict

affected contexts. This will differ from one context to the other. For example in Honduras, we focus

on the reduction of violence and work on gender-stereotypes and “Machism”. In the Great Lakes

Region, we focus on Gender-Based Violence.

3) Collective healing, transitional justice and pluralistic memory of the past are subjects for

SDCs work in post conflict settings. Here, SDC has a focus on strengthening accountability and

rule of law, as well as on psycho-social aspects and reconciliation.

• I am convinced that the Swiss Programme for Research on Global issues for Development

– r4d – is a good investment. The aim of this 10 year research programme is to provide scientific

knowledge and practical solutions to tackle global problems. Together, SDC and SNSF invested

97.6 Mio CHF – 75% of this amount is considered to be ODA – to support inter and trans-

disciplinary research conducted in partnership between Switzerland and Africa, Asian and Latin

American countries.

• With the “Social Conflict Call” this research programme provides insight from different

angles on factors that create social cohesion, reduce violent conflict and fragility and foster better

governance.

• There are three features that make the r4d programme unique, innovative and relevant for

development cooperation:

1) It aligns Switzerland’s strategic priorities in development cooperation to the international agenda

2) It includes communication and application as an integral part of all research activities

3) And integrates reflection on possible pathways to societal impact, from the outset, in each

research project.

• Let us elaborate further on these features (alignment of priorities, communication and

application, societal impact). Today’s meeting is an excellent platform to exchange on the various

facets and linkages of social conflict in the context of sustainable development. Let us explore


together how we can pave a joint way forward and toward significant and sustainable impact on

the ground.

• I am very happy to welcome you to this public event for mutual exchange and learning. I

am looking forward to a stimulating discussion between research networks and development

practitioners. We share the same motivations: curiosity, creativity, scientific interest and

independence. Thus, researchers and scientists are key partners in investigating the complexity of

conflict and fragility, poverty and inequalities – and they will surely propose innovative approaches

to address those.

• Let me close with special thanks to SNSF for the organization of today’s event, to

researchers for their important work and to the members of the review panel for their personal

investment and contribution to the r4d programme.

Annex 2: Contact details of r4d Forum Social Conflicts participants, 26-27 September 2016

Name First Name Institution Email Project/Role

Achakpa Mimidoo Women's Rights to Education Programme (WREP) [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Ali Hamid American University Cairo [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Bandaranayake Harini University of Lausanne, ICES Colombo [email protected] Pluralistic Memories

Berkhout Remko Freelance Consultant [email protected] Consultant to SNSF

Cascao Ana University of Lisbon [email protected] Review Panel

Cavin Anne-Claude Intermediations.ch [email protected] Consultant to SNSF

Cederman Lars-Erik ETH Zurich [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

de Theije Marjo Free University Amsterdam [email protected] Review Panel

Ebell Jacqueline Swiss National Science Foundation [email protected] SNSF r4d Programme assistant

Elcheroth Guy University of Lausanne [email protected] Pluralistic Memories

Gutierrez Sanin Francisco Universidad de Colombia [email protected] Review Panel

Hug Simon University of Geneva [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Kunz Rahel University of Lausanne [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Maffi Irene University of Lausanne [email protected] Pluralistic Memories

Messner Dirk German Development Institute [email protected] Review Panel

Michaelowa Katharina University of Zurich [email protected] Review Panel

Myrttinen Henri International Alert [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Ndayisaba Leonidas University of Burundi [email protected] Pluralistic Memories

ONYESOH JOY Women's International League for Peace and Freedom ([email protected] Gender Dimensions

Penic Sandra University of Lausanne [email protected] Pluralistic Memories

Prügl Elisabeth Graduate Institute [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Rahmawati Arifah Gadjah Mada University [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Righetti Aurélie Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation [email protected] SDC Research Desk

Rigual Christelle Graduate Institute [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Ropers Norbert Berghof Foundation [email protected] Review Panel

Rosemann Nils Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation [email protected] Review Panel

Saenz de Tejada Ricardo Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Schneider Gerald University of Konstanz [email protected] Review Panel

Sekher Madhushree Tata Institute of Social Sciences [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Sichone Owen Ben Copperbelt University [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Sudan Dimitri Swiss National Science Foundation [email protected] SNSF Programmes division

Udasmoro Wening Gadjah Mada University [email protected] Gender Dimensions

Usoof-Thowfeek Ramila International Centre for Ethnic Studies [email protected] Pluralistic Memories

Vogt Manuel ETH Zurich [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Yao Gnabeli Roch Université Félix Houphouet Boigny [email protected] Ethnic Power Relations

Zingerli Claudia Swiss National Science Foundation [email protected] SNSF r4d Programme coordinator

r4d Forum 2016 Social Conflicts: Registered Participants Public Event, 26 September 2016Name Institution Email

Aeby Andrea DFAE - Mission suisse Genève [email protected]

Bhavnani, Ravinder Graduate Institute Geneva [email protected]

Bloesch Urs Adansonia-Consulting [email protected]

Contesse Geneviève Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Droz, Simone Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Frei Joel Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (ICP) [email protected]

Gemperli Pascal ae-Centre [email protected]

Greminger Thomas Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Heiniger, Markus Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Hombrecher Una HEKS [email protected]

Huber Glünz Marianne Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Ionascu Georgia Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding [email protected]

Jambers Anaël Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Human Security Division) [email protected]

Jütersonke Oliver Graduate Institute Geneva [email protected]

Laham Antoine Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Human Security Division) [email protected] ([email protected])

Lanz David swisspeace [email protected]

Lippuner, Martin Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Lühe, Ulrike swisspeace [email protected]

Lys Jon-Andri KFPE [email protected]

Mirabile Tanja Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (ICP) [email protected]

Moulin, Anne Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Müller Derek Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Sticher, Valerie Center for Security Studies [email protected]

Stoessel Marcel Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) [email protected]

Troller Simone Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Human Security Division) [email protected]

Walser, Mirjam independent researcher [email protected]

Wennmann Achim Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies [email protected]

Pluralistic Memories Project

Presented by Guy [email protected]://wp.unil.ch/pmp/

Step 3: Facilitating community dialogues

Workshops Local communities

Step 2: Surveying social reactions to personal stories

Vignette surveys Population sample

Step 1: Collecting personal testimonies

In‐depth interviews Selected witnesses

Example - Sticking together to survive

“When the curfew was lifted for two hours, we used to go and distribute such necessity to people”

But at that time, and during the first intifada, it was important tohave an organized work since we had a series of events andactivities, such as visiting prisoners' and injured' families, struggleactivity, and working in land activities and such things. The issue ofworking in the land, by the way, that my mother worked on, was ofgreat importance to us during the first intifada and, with the first daysof curfews, we were among the first to achieve self-sufficiency of eggsfrom chickens and vegetables and so. When the curfew was lifted fortwo hours, we used to go and distribute such necessity to people, andwe in return got some milk from others who had cows and sheep, notknowing the exact source of goods. This case of self-sufficiencyhappened suddenly like instinctively with no written instructions; itwas a sudden move and everybody wanted to help and check onothers especially in cases of women urgently in labor. And how did weuse to help? We helped by staying with the kids without even beingasked to do so.

Palestinian woman, Fateh sympathiser

Example ‐ Support across frontlines

“The Hutu and the Tutsi of my native commune agreed to watch for their security together”

There is one thing that I witnessed in my commune, which reallyfilled me with joy. It’s the fact that the Hutu and the Tutsi of mynative commune agreed to watch for their security, Hutu andTutsi together. What happened was that both ethnic groups feltattacked as one family. In addition, they did it so well. Theyconducted together night watching rounds, and their missionsucceeded. I can give the example of what occurred at my nativehill, which really permeated my mind as the most outstandingmodel.

Our hill is situated at the boarders of others communes andthere were Hutu people who lived there, at the very frontier. Ata short distance behind those Hutu people, there were Tutsifamilies. Therefore, they concluded agreements, whereby theHutu said, “Whoever will harm or attack you passing by herefrom the opposite camp, if any foes pass in our midst andreaches out to harm you, you will be in the right position ofdefending yourself, because we will intervene If we are attackedwe will inform you, so that in case they overcome us and we findourselves in a situation of disadvantage, you will intervene torescue us.”

Burundian exile in Rwanda, Tutsi man

Example ‐ Our leaders ?

“At least they should have interviewed us”

They took the 1983 riots very lightly, you know…

(Int: ) The politicians?

Yes. They took it very lightly. Anyway, only the people who wereaffected spoke among themselves (…)

We were not sympathized, you know. At least they should haveinterviewed us (…) We made an entry in the police station; thenat least they should have (…) inquired about us, helped us. Theydidn’t do anything, no.

So we went on our own to a town in the East, because that wasour home town, my relations were there. But none of therelations helped us. We were in a camp. So it was on our ownthat we came up. On our own we struggled and came up.

Sri Lankan Tamil woman

Summary – Complexity as a hidden resource

• When credibly granted confidentiality and interviewed in an emphatic manner, people tend to express conflict narratives that are more multi‐layered and complex than those available in public spaces.

• In conflict‐affected communities people tend to under‐estimate the frequency of more sensitive memories and to recognise as ‘common experience’ only those stories that penetrate public discourse more easily.

• These findings invite policy‐makers and development actors to differentiate between complex collective experiences and their simplified public expressions, when analysing local needs that inform their policies.

Background ‐ Beyond public truth‐telling

• Classic fora for public truth‐telling typically rely a single scene and sequence for eliciting and publicizing testimonies, focus on specific events of gross human rights violations and rely strongly on mass media communication.

• Beware of the risk that such settings leave out complex experiences that do not fit into polarised conflict narratives, the Pluralistic Memories Projects seeks to develop and study alternative approaches for the sharing of conflict‐related memories.

• Current pioneering work in Sri Lanka, Burundi and Palestine breaks down the process of sharing testimonies into distinct steps, in order to open a space for the narration of the daily‐life impact of violence and for the preservation of resources developed by communities to face the disruptive consequences of violence.

01020304050607080

Directly witnessed Witnessed by acquaintance

Social reactions ‐ Do you know about similar events?

01020304050607080

Isolated events Common experiences

Social reactions ‐ How would you call these events ?

Cross‐cutting themes from personal testimonies

Complex memories : hidden resources for conflict transformation ?


The role of local communication structures in fostering support for transitional justice mechanisms

Surveyvigne+e–Supportacrossfrontlines

“During the war we supported villagers who belonged to the other ethnic group in many ways. There were times when our soldiers would come to search for them. During those times we would dress them as our own people, pretend they were one of us, and include them in our cultural practices. Soldiers would search our village but would not be able to identify them so they would leave.”

Do you know about similar events?

Presented by Sandra Penic [email protected] http://wp.unil.ch/pmp/

0

20

40

60

80

100

Personal witnessing Indirect witnessing Mass-mediatized knowledge

War region No war region

Ampara

Anuradhapura

Badulla

Batticaloa

Colombo

Galle

Gampaha

Hambantota

Jaffna

Kalutara

Kandy

Kegalle

Kilinochchi

Kurunegala

Mannar

Matale

Matara

Moneragala

Mullaitivu

NuwaraEliya

PolonnaruwaPuttalam

Ratnapura

Trincomalee

Vavuniya

Summary •  Persons who know about conflict-related events from personal acquaintances are more supportive of transitional

justice mechanisms than those who learned about them from the media. •  Local communication structures play a pivotal role in the formation of beliefs and expectations about conflict-

relevant policies. •  These findings suggest that for the success of policies of advocacy or support to a transitional justice process, it

is critical not to over-rely on mass media communication, but to recognise the critical role of localised inter-personal channels.

Background •  Mass-mediatized conflict representations can be strongly polarized, as a

result of a directed process of silencing or marginalizing narratives about conflict events that challenge dominant representations.

•  People for whom the politicized mass-mediatized narratives are the main source of conflict knowledge are more likely to internalize these narratives and to oppose transitional justice mechanisms.

•  The Pluralistic Memories Project studies the role of localized and interpersonal channels of communication in shaping understanding of conflict and support for TJ mechanisms

Sri Lankan Pilot Survey

Tes/mony-Supportacrossfrontlines

“We gave them our sarongs and caps, so that they look like us”

“We have joined in helping them. For example, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eealam would come and Muslim brothers would give them food. We helped them indirectly. If the army was suddenly coming, for example, we would bring the LTTE members to the mosque and quickly give them a sarong and cap and they would look like our people. If the army came and searched for them, they would think that they’re Muslim and leave.”

SriLankanman,50-55years,NorthernMuslim

Mixed methods approach: From testimony to survey vignette

400 respondents from 2 regions:

Heavily exposed to warfare (Ampara) and less exposed to warfare (Matale)

Does knowing and talking about similar events make a difference?


Preserving Pluralism: Sharing Memories in Safe Spaces

Community workshops are opportunities for the creation of safe spaces for communities to share

diverse conflict narratives and participate in empowered exchange.

Empoweredcommuni.es=Resilientcommuni.esü  Non-threateningenvironmenttosharememories

ü Memoryasafemedium/vehicleofexpressingconten:ous/diversenarra:vesofconflict

ü  Learningacrossgenera:onsandsharingacrossgeographicboundaries

ü  Freedomandspacetoagreeordisagreewithnarra:ves;helpconstructSriLanka’sdocumentedhistory

ü  Communitygroupsfeedbackchosenmessagestoalargercommunity

ü  Communica:onsinterven:onsplanned,coordinated,andimplementedbylocalgroups

ü  Strengthenedcommunityinterac:onsandrela:onship

ü  Researcherslearnfromcommuni:esateverystep

Project Communication Matrix

Presented by Dr. Ramila Usoof-Thowfeek and Harini Dias Bandaranayake Email:[email protected] Web: http://wp.unil.ch/pmp/

Ini.alcommunitygroupdiscussions

Crea.vemessaging:Kids’artcompe..on

Broadcas.ngthemessage

Scoop 1 Community-Driven Early Warning as Conflict De-escalation

Communities draw on gendered and locally embedded ‘early warning’ systems, such as the circulation of information on violence and rumour- controlling information or the fostering of dialogue across divides, that contribute to prevent the escalation of conflicts.

Knowing the Local Context Communities have played an active role in implementing among themselves gendered early warning systems aimed at circulating information on the occurrence of violence, deterring escalation by encouraging rumour control through the systematic checking of information, and supporting long-term peace building through inter-community dialogue.

Policy Relevance These cases can inspire policy-making as they illustrate that conflict can be avoided in profoundly diverse communities when dense communication networks are in place across gender, religions, age, and social status, and through the installation of early warning systems which defuse sparks of conflict.

Relevance for Practitioners Practitioners need grounded gender and conflict analysis, in consultation with the communities, to appreciate existing strengths and resources for the management of violence. Such analysis enables an identification of practices that deserve support and the implementation of targeted initiatives that recognize local dynamics and existing social networks. Supporting early warning and inter-community initiatives requires a thorough understanding of gendered local dynamics.

Gendered Local Early Warnings Conflict escalation can be prevented through the circulation of impartial information and the encouragement of rumour-controlling checks in formal and informal gendered networks, as seen in Dadin Kowa and in the city of Ambon. Encouragements of direct inter-community dialogues also facilitate exchange among communities and contributed to mediate religious tensions by facilitating the creation of inter-community bonds.

Scoop 2 Female Combatants Are Peacebuilders, too!

Former female combatants in Aceh, the Inong Balee, have turned away from political violence to support peacebuilding, but have largely been ignored in official efforts.

Knowing the Local Context In Aceh, Indonesia, where the insurrectional Free Aceh Movement (GAM) led a violent struggle for independence for decades, it was not just men who perpetrated violence. A group of women, known as the Inong Balee, joined the GAM as fighters and contributed significantly to the escalation of violence. Totaling 2,000 to 2,500 in number, most of them were young village women, aged 13 to 15, who came from farming families and had received little education.

From Combatants to Peacebuilders After the conflict, the Inong Balee transformed themselves into peacemakers. Their initiatives have included establishing an organization for former combatants, conducting joint cultural and religious activities, promoting communal trauma healing, and strengthening bonds of friendship and networking through economic and social activities. Yet, due to their marginalized social positions, the Inong Balee were left out of the Helsinki peace negotiations and have largely been ignored in official peacebuilding activities.

Policy Relevance The exclusion of former female combatants from processes of reconciliation and reintegration is a missed opportunity to transform the meaning of female heroism and recognize powerful women’s agency for post-conflict reconstruction. To valorize the experiences of former female combatants and support gender-equal participation in peacebuilding, it is necessary to create public spaces in which combatants from different levels of hierarchy can participate.

Relevance for Practitioners The case underlines the importance of inclusiveness for peacebuilding processes and programmes committed to gender-equitable outcomes. Importantly, inclusiveness is not achieved by involving primarily women from academic and urban spheres, as has been the case in Aceh. Narratives of women’s heroism constitute a potential resource for advancing the status of women in an otherwise conservative society.

Scoop 3 A Norm without the Name?

Local activists play a crucial role in implementing the UN’s Women, Peace, and Security agenda around the world. Yet, the process of implementation may lead them to adapt and negotiate the norm.

Knowing the Local Context Local authorities in the Indonesian province of Aceh have perceived the UN’s Women, Peace, and Security agenda as ‘foreign’, and as a threat to regional (and Islamic) identities.

Norm Alternatives Local advocates have negotiated the norm and proposed alternative approaches to adapt the norm to the local level. Rather than pushing for the explicit implementation of national or regional UN Security Council Resolution 1325 action plans, they have relied on local and regional evidence-based advocacy to demonstrate the crucial role of women in conflict management and peacebuilding efforts and argued for their inclusion in local decision-making.

Policy Relevance International policy-making needs to be attentive not only to norm creation but to the way norms change throughout their circulation. Carrying out analysis of the context-specific issues and taking seriously contestations creates space for including local actors and locally-derived understandings of gender-sensitive peacebuilding, contributing to the establishment of more inclusive processes of international norm creation and circulation.

Relevance for Practitioners The case of Aceh can provide concrete suggestions on how to move the WPS agenda forward while preserving local ownership and local identity This may require compromise on the name, content, and scope of the policies, but local actions to promote women’s participation in peacebuilding processes and to support women’s empowerment also contribute to channeling UNSCR 1325 values and objectives.

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