Women’s mobilization and their significant agency in conflict situations in Kashmir and Northeast India involves managing community survival, mitigating violence, mediating differences and expanding the middle space for political understanding and peace building. This presentation seeks to critically examine the instrumentalization of women in ‘self-determination’ movements as well as peacebuilding processes in India.

Please note that this event has been cancelled.

Nepal’s post-conflict political transition is expanding because of the failure of the Constituent Assembly (CA) to provide a new constitution. Among the most contentious political issues in contemporary Nepal are the failure of decision-makers to design negotiable federal structures, hijacking of the agenda by leading politicians, and the radicalization of ethnic identity. There are also widespread complaints of lack of sincerity in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), especially regarding reintegration and rehabilitation of Maoist ex-combatants, transitional justice, security sector reform, restructuring of the state, establishment of truth and reconciliation commissions, and sharing of power. Despite that political parties have reached an agreement to constitute a government, the most contentious issues are still not settled and although the election commission may be able to conduct an election in November, there is still a risk of failure of the CA. Even if the election in November is held, there are several issues and challenges confronting the political transition in Nepal, to be discussed in this talk.

 

PRIO invites you to a seminar on the new Basque peace process and recent developments in the Basque country. This marks the launch of a new PRIO project, 'Imagined Sovereignties: Frontiers of Statehood and Globalization', funded by the Research Council of Norway.

Speakers:

• Pedro Ibarra Güell, University of the Basque Country
• Gorka Elejabarrieta, Sortu
• Paul Rios, Lokarri 
• Moderator: Åshild Kolås, PRIO

 

John Monahan, director of The Mosaic Institute, will visit Oslo to share his expertise on diaspora engagement in the Canadian context. What are the opportunities and challenges in Canada, and what lessons can be drawn from these experiences in Norway? His presentation is entitled: 'The Mosaic Model: Engaging Diasporic Canadians in the Promotion of Peace at Home and Abroad'. He will describe his own Institute's particular approach to involving diasporic communities that have connections to entrenched conflicts overseas in initiatives designed to promote peace and social cohesion, both in the region of origin and in Canada. In particular, he draws on work with young adults of Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim Sri Lankan background.

PRIO is hosting a seminar with Professor Lidwien Kapteijns where she will present her recent book Clan Cleansing in Somalia: the ruinous legacy of 1991 published in 2012 at University of Pennsylvania Press.