Empowering Peace: The role of civil society in peacebuilding and conflict transformation
Tampere 2022 – Programme – MAPS – Travel & Accommodation – Leisure
In the last months, we have faced a global challenge, which has forced all of us to think about the fragility of human lives and our social relationships. The Covid19 pandemic has tested economies and societies and in many cases, exacerbated inequalities and social injustices all around the world.
Unfortunately, we have been witnessing serious cases of violence, although civil society has reacted to this with strong peaceful determination. In such threatening and fragile times, voices raised up worldwide in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has provided an exemplary case of global activism and support for human rights.
Borders in Europe were closed for the first time after many decades of free mobility within its territories. Nationalisms raised their voices once again, trying to create more confusion in such a delicate and vulnerable period. But solidarity resisted and showed up through innovative channels of communication, such as social media and online platforms.
We are resilient, we can adapt to difficult situations and find new solutions to new problems. The development of technologies has been crucial in these challenging times, also as a tool for supporting, promoting and making peace.
What are the lessons we have learnt from this pandemic situation? How can peace research contribute to understanding and transforming the new conflicts we are facing? What are the new power structures which are challenging peace in Europe? What is the role of civil society in relation to them? What are the obstacles to a more inclusive and diverse society, and in which ways can peace research contributes to understanding and removing them? How are new generations of scholars and activists tackling the challenges of our contemporary times
Twitter: @euprapeace – Hashtag: #EuPRA2022