PRIO Events

Fractured Order, Rising Influence: Southeast Asia and China’s Digital Ambitions

Wed, 21 May 2025 08:58:40 GMT

As the global balance of power shifts, Southeast Asia finds itself at the crossroads of economic transformation, technological advancement, and strategic realignments. One key element in this evolving landscape is China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR), a crucial component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed at positioning China as the global technological superpower. This initiative promises to reshape the global digital order and could trigger a technological and normative rift with far-reaching geopolitical consequences.

In this episode, recorded live at PRIO, a panel of regional experts and researchers unpack the findings of a three-year project examining China’s digital technology exports to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. How are these countries managing the promises and perils of digital infrastructure tied to Beijing’s ambitions? And what does it mean for sovereignty, governance, and global power?

From infrastructure and internet governance to normative influence and political risk, the conversation offers a comparative look at how Southeast Asia is responding to China’s rising digital influence.

Speakers:

Dr. Ilaria Carrozza, PRIO
Dr. Cheng-Chwee Kuik, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Julio Amador III, Ateneo de Manila University
Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, CSIS Indonesia
Chair: Nic Marsh, PRIO

🎙️ Tune in for a sharp, regionally grounded discussion on China’s Digital Silk Road and the digital futures of Southeast Asia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Limits Should Be Placed on the Use of AI in Warfare?

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:34:49 GMT

There has been a steep increase in the reliance on AI tools for warfighting. This is unsurprising as AI allows for increased speed on the battlefield, better surveillance, tracking, target identification and validation, as well as more data-driven decision support both for identifying capabilities and for target selection. The increased reliance on AI has fueled a push for more weapons’ autonomy on the battlefield.

These changes to the way wars are fought have led to a range of ethical concerns around the use of AI for life-or-death decisions on the battlefield. In this episode, recorded live at PRIO, a panel of experts explores the implications of AI-driven warfare. What does it mean to delegate life-or-death decisions to algorithms? How should states and societies respond to this accelerating trend?

Panelists:

Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Jovana Davidovic, Senior Researcher, PRIO
Mitt Regan, Professor of Law, Georgetown University

Moderator: Greg Reichberg, PRIO

🎙️ Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of AI, ethics, and modern conflict - and what’s at stake as the line between human and machine decision-making continues to blur.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Shock to Strategic Thinking: What Now for the Aid Sector and a Leading Donor Like Norway?

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:23:50 GMT

2025 marks a turning point for the global aid sector. While many donors are pulling back, Norway is charting a different course - reaffirming its commitment to flexible, principled funding and the strategic use of aid as soft power.

In this episode, recorded live at PRIO, a panel of leading scholars and practitioners explore how the current crisis in global aid might serve as an opportunity for transformation. Are we witnessing a reformist recalibration or a call to radically rethink the entire system?

From debates around localization and institutional memory to the role of evidence-based approaches and equitable participation, the conversation tackles the big questions shaping the future of aid.

Speakers:

Erik Abild, NORAD
Øyvind Eggen, Artikulert
Gry Ballestad, Norwegian People’s Aid
Ole Jacob Sending, NUPI & Centre for Geopolitics
Simon Reid-Henry, PRIO
Kristin Bergtora Sandvik, University of Oslo and PRIO

Chair: Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, PRIO

🎙️ Listen now for an unflinching discussion on the ideas, tensions, and actors shaping the future of global aid - and Norway’s place within it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transforming Society Through Community-Engaged Research: A Conversation with Halleh Ghorashi

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Listen to this inspiring seminar with Professor Halleh Ghorashi, a leading scholar in diversity and inclusion at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). She shared how her understanding of engaged scholarship has evolved throughout her academic journey, highlighting its impact on academia, society, and refugee communities.

Drawing from her work with the 'research within expertise' lab: Refugee Academy at VU, Professor Ghorashi showcased how engaged scholarship can drive meaningful change. Critical theory and feminist epistemology have been central for her in approaching engaged scholarship from a transformative angle.

In conversation with PRIO Researcher Cindy Horst, Professor Ghorashi explored her work of co-generating societal change towards increased diversity and inclusion in the Netherlands. Her transformative engaged scholarship conceptually draws on epistemic justice and builds on methods of co-creating various forms of knowledge with communities.

Speakers

Halleh Ghorashi is Professor of Diversity at VU. She proposes a critical approach of diversity and inclusion and shows the importance of the perspectives of migrants and refugees through narrative methodology in creating more inclusive structures.

Cindy Horst is a Research Professor in Migration and Refugee Studies and co-director of the PRIO Centre on Culture, Conflict, and Co-existence. She is the author of Creative Resistance. The social justice practices of Monarch, Halleh and Diana (Lived Places Publishing, 2023), which includes a chapter about Halleh Ghorashi.

The event is co-organized by the PRIO Migration Centre and PRIO Centre on Culture, Conflict and Coexistence.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Law on the Frontlines in Palestine – A Conversation with UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 07:30:00 GMT

PRIO was pleased to invite to a seminar with Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In this seminar, Albanese shared her firsthand experiences and insights from her work, focusing on the significant legal and political challenges facing the UN in Palestine.

The seminar addressed several key issues, including the challenges surrounding the UN’s access to the occupied Palestinian territories, the humanitarian implications of the ban on UNRWA, and the ongoing cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) related to genocide and humanitarian aid access. Albanese also provided an update on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and reflected on the potential of removing Israel’s seat at the UN in response to violations of international human rights law.

The conversation was moderated by Jørgen Jensehaugen, Senior Researcher at PRIO.

This event was a collaboration between the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and Palestinakomiteen Norge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gulf States Thinking on Reconstructing Gaza

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Once the war in Gaza ends, the narrow strip of land will require a massive reconstruction effort of unimaginable proportions. Large questions remain, such as who will pay? What political conditions can the reconstruction happen under?

To help us understand some of these questions, with reflections from the Arab Gulf, PRIO hosted

Ghassan Elkahlout, Palestinian scholar and Director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) in Doha.
Tor Wennesland, PRIO Practitioner in Residence.
Jørgen Jensehaugen, Senior Researcher, PRIO.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Role of Local Humanitarian Actors in a Middle East under Transformation

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 07:30:00 GMT

As war and humanitarian crises unfold in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, a new Middle East is emerging. How can local humanitarian actors rise to the challenge? What role do they play in addressing urgent needs, fostering long-term solutions and promoting reconciliation amidst turmoil? And how can they navigate the complexities introduced by the recent UNRWA ban?

Speakers

Karam Abi Yazbeck, Regional Coordinator for Caritas Middle East and North Africa, sharing first-hand testimony directly from the ground
Jørgen Jensehaugen, Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo, providing a snapshot of the region's shifting geopolitical landscape and the implications of the UNRWA ban
Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of Norwegian People's Aid
Arne Næss-Holm, Director of International Programmes, Norwegian Church Aid
Ingrid Rosendorf Joys, Secretary General, Caritas Norway

The discussion was moderated by Cindy Horst, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

This event was a collaboration between the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Caritas Norway, Norwegian People's Aid and Norwegian Church Aid.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Democratic Peace in a Geopolitically Changing World

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:30:15 GMT

In light of the shifting geopolitical landscape, the long-standing theory of democratic peace - asserting that democracies rarely wage war against each other - is facing critical scrutiny.

This panel will discuss whether this principle still holds true in an era marked by shifting power dynamics, rising authoritarianism, and the erosion of liberal democratic norms.

With conflicts increasingly shaped by hybrid warfare, economic rivalries, and regional instability, the traditional correlation between democracy and peace may be weakening.

This discussion will explore whether contemporary democracies are more prone to conflict, or if the theory needs to be redefined for a multipolar world. The panel will also revisit Francis Fukuyama's "End of History" argument, which predicted the triumph of liberal democracy as the final form of human governance.

As new global players and political ideologies emerge, panelists will assess whether this notion is still relevant, or if we are witnessing the rise of new patterns of conflict that challenge the foundations of democratic peace.

Speakers

Ms. Hilde F. Johnson, European Institute of Peace
Prof. Carl Henrik Knutsen, University of Oslo
Dr. Marianne Dahl, Peace Research Institute Oslo

The discussion will be moderated by Dan Banik, Academic Director of Circle U's democracy hub.

This event is part of Oslo Peace Days 2024. Follow this link for full programme.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI in War & Peace: The Politics of Truths and Fakes

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 07:30:05 GMT

AI shapes war, humanitarian emergencies and the roads to peace. Ongoing conflicts are also experimental laboratories, creating a boom in AI weapons systems.

Before and during the Gaza war, AI-generated imagery and text has contributed to diametrically opposed versions of a ‘truth’ about violence, the plight of civilians and the intentions of humanitarian actors. While responding to hurricanes Helene and Milton, US authorities also struggled against AI generated imagery manipulating understandings about the danger and impact of the disaster and government assistance.

In 2024, there are 120 armed conflicts around the world. Peace processes require finding shared grounds of knowledge. AI may be a double spoiler – heightening tension and eroding trust. This panel looks into the relationship between military technology and humanitarian law, how we understand claims about civilian suffering and societal devastation to be true – or not – and the impact of dis and misinformation on efforts to create pathways towards peaceful solutions.

Speakers

Kristin Bergtora Sandvik, University of Oslo and Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Morten Tønnessen-Krokan, the Norwegian Red Cross
Olav Østrem, faktisk.no

The discussion was moderated by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher, PRIO.

This event was collaboration between PRIO and the University of Oslo, and a part of Oslo Peace Days 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peace NGOs in Uncertain Times: Navigating Transparency and Inclusivity During Trump’s Second Term

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:30:00 GMT

The recent U.S. election has dominated the political discourse for months, but now the world’s attention is shifting to the potential implications of next year’s leadership transition. A diminished U.S. presence at the global scene could elevate China and various regional powers as primary initiators and guarantors in the mediation processes in the Global South. The ideals of inclusive, transparent and democratic transitions to peace might be especially threatened. Could the European Union assume the U.S.’s role as a "liberal peace guarantor" at the global level?

Norway has long been a key player in conflict mediation and peacebuilding, supporting a range of European non-state organizations dedicated to peace process mediation and facilitation. These peace facilitation organizations (PFOs) have evolved into a specialized field, offering essential services at various stages of peace processes. However, in this changing world order, the continued existence of these PFOs depends on the ambitions and priorities of their Western donors, casting uncertainty over their future.

This seminar will present and discuss findings from a research project investigating inclusivity and transparency in peace negotiations, focusing on the strategies PFOs use to promote these principles. The project is a collaboration between PRIO and the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The program will include brief presentations from the co-PIs, Øystein H. Rolandsen (PRIO) and Simone Tholens (EUI), followed by a roundtable discussion. A light lunch will be served afterwards.

Speakers

Øystein H. Rolandsen, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo
Simone Tholens, Part-time professor, European University Institute
Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Senior Advisor, European Institute of Peace (EIP)
Elisa Tarnaala, Senior Adviser, CMI Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation

The conversation will be moderated by Øystein H. Rolandsen.

See all PRIO Events here: https://www.prio.org/events

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Education Under Siege: Protecting Learning in Palestine, Myanmar and Beyond

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:00:00 GMT

As conflicts and crises escalate worldwide, higher education is often caught in a crossfire, depriving many of their fundamental right to learn and freely express, in a safe environment. In Palestine, we are witnessing the systematic and intentional obliteration of the wider education system by Israel, also referred to as ‘scholasticide’. In Myanmar, students and scholars remain severely at risk under the military junta, who continues to brutally crack down on their human rights and learning opportunities. As international calls for protecting academic freedom grow, how can we safeguard higher education against the pressures of conflict?

Join us for the launch of the Scholars at Risk ‘Free to Think 2024’, a comprehensive annual report of the global state of academic freedom.

This panel will particularly focus on Palestine and Myanmar, where scholars, students and universities are under siege. From military raids and campus closures to surveillance and detentions, the panellists will highlight how academic institutions and individuals are targeted in these regions and beyond, effectively turning learning spaces into battlegrounds.

Speakers

Jørgen Jensehaugen, Senior Researcher, PRIO
Marte Nilsen, Senior Researcher, PRIO
Asmaa Abu Samra, Academic from Gaza, Temporarily in Norway on a Scholars at Risk stay.

The conversation was moderated by Selma Bratberg, President of SAIH.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refugee Rights are Human Rights! Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 14:30:42 GMT

What is the state of refugee rights in Pakistan? What role do civil society groups play to support refugees and advocate for their rights? What are the key challenges? On the 2nd of September PRIO hosted a discussion co-organised by DEGLOBAL and supported by the BEYOND project.

This discussion forum brought together human rights activists and academics from Pakistan and the academics at the University of Oslo, PRIO, and University of Tromsø to exchange views on the state of refugee rights in Pakistan and the role of civil society groups in advocating and supporting refugees. The focus was on Afghan refugees.

Speakers

Harris Khalique, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Dr. Arshi Saleem-Hashmi, Professor Peace and Conflict Studies, National Defence University of Pakistan
Dr. Farhat Taj, Associate Professor, University of Tromsø

The discussion was moderated by Professor Marta Bivand Erdal at PRIO. Dr. Arjumand Bano Kazmi at UiO offered introductory remarks (not included in the recording).

Read more here: https://www.prio.org/events/9135

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living and Thinking in a Divided Korea

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:30:21 GMT

What insights can a life dedicated to international relations and diplomacy in the Korean Peninsula offer?

On 7 August 2024 , Dr. Stein Tønnesson (PRIO) delved into this question as he interviewed Dr. Moon Chung-in (Yonsei University, Seoul), a prominent expert who has served as an advisor to several South Korean presidents.

The conversation explored Dr. Moon's personal journey, from his upbringing and education in an authoritarian South Korea to his role in the country's democratization and his burgeoning interest in North Korea. He shared his perspectives on the personalities and policies of both South and North Korean leaders and provide insights into the geopolitical strategies of China, the US, Russia, and Japan regarding the divided Korea. Dr. Moon also reflected on his pivotal role in intra-Korean diplomacy, offering a unique window into the complexities of the region.

Read more here: https://www.prio.org/events/9154

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UNRWA Under Attack – Saving the UN’s Palestine Refugee Agency

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:30:28 GMT

On 18 June 2024, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini joined PRIO to share his insights on what he has experienced in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the main humanitarian aid provider in the Gaza Strip. It is also responsible for running schools and healthcare for millions of Palestinian refugees in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The UN organization is facing a funding crisis worsened by Israel’s war in Gaza and the unproven Israeli accusations against the agency. Lazzarini informed us about the dire situation for Palestine refugees in the Middle East and the crisis facing the agency.

Speakers

Introduction by PRIO Director Henrik Urdal
Keynote by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini
Comments by Vebjørn Dysvik, Director General, Department of Regional Affairs, Norwegian MFA
Comments by PRIO researcher Jørgen Jensehaugen
Panel conversation between Commissioner-General Lazzarini, Vebjørn Dysvik and Jørgen Jensehaugen moderated by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher at PRIO

Read more about this event here: https://www.prio.org/events/9147

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023 Conflict Data Unveiled: Is The World Becoming More Violent?

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:30:34 GMT

Over the past few years we have seen a number of violent conflicts erupt: The Russian invasion in Ukraine, the civil war in Ethiopia, the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The past three years have been the most violent period since the end of the Cold War. Is the world becoming a more violent place, or is this an unfortunate coincidence of several violent wars occurring at the same time?

The seminar speakers delved into the new UCDP conflict data to explore what the data and the trends can tell us about these questions.

Program

Presentation by Therese Petterson, Research Coordinator, Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University
Panel conversation with Brynjar Lia, Professor, University of Oslo and Mauricio Rivera Celestino, Senior Researcher, PRIO

Siri Aas Rustad, Research Director at PRIO, moderated the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intractable State Formation Projects: Israel and Palestine in a Comparative Regional Perspective

Thu, 30 May 2024 14:00:48 GMT

Developments in Palestine between 1905 and 1948 can be analysed with reference to increasing tensions between two different colonial pacts emerging in the same territory. One was between Britain and the Palestinians, the other was between Britain and the Zionist movement.

In this seminar, the dual process of state formation in the Levant is compared with other processes of state formation in the region at the same time, in particular with settler colonialism in Algeria and with the kinds of colonial pacts that evolved in other states formed in the former Ottoman Arab area (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq).

Speakers

Fredrik Engelstad, Professor Emeritus, University of Oslo and Institute for Social Research
Lars Mjøset, Professor Emeritus, University of Oslo
Andrew Bennet, Professor, Georgetown University
Nils Butenschön, Professor, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo
Rania Maktabi, Associate Professor, Østfold University College

The panel discussion will be moderated by Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor, PRIO

This event was co-hosted by the PRIO Middle East Centre and Institute for Social Research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum: Unpacking the EU’s Search for Coherence, Efficiency and Solidarity

Thu, 30 May 2024 06:30:27 GMT

The long awaited New Pact on Migration and Asylum was recently approved. It was promoted as a milestone achievement in the EUs long search for a common and more coherent migration policy, and as striking a balance between efficiency and solidarity. But, what is behind these buzzwords: policy coherence, efficiency and solidarity and what do they mean in practice?

In this breakfast seminar, findings from the MIGNEX project on the EU’s approach to achieving policy coherence in the field of migration were presented. It was shed light on how the push for more efficient policies, including measures for return and readmission, have shaped this policy making over the years.

Speakers

Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher at PRIO
Niels Ike, Researcher at UNU-MERIT & Leiden University
Ayse Bala Akal, Research Assistant at PRIO
Jon Ole Martinsen, Senior Adviser at NOAS

The conversation will be moderated by Jørgen Carling, Research Professor at PRIO and MIGNEX Project Leader.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becoming Middle Class in Metro Manila: Does Migration Matter?

Tue, 21 May 2024 14:30:25 GMT

Asian cities, like Metro Manila, are witnessing a rise in middle class populations amid rapid urbanization. But what do residents think about being and becoming middle class in Metro Manila, and does migration matter?

In this seminar, participants heard about the findings of PRIO’s Migration Rhythms in Trajectories of Upward Social Mobility in Asia project, from research among Filipino urban middle classes in Metro Manila. After a presentation of the MigrationRhythms Project by Karen Liao, Senior Researcher at PRIO, and Marta Bivand Erdal, Research Professor at PRIO, Hon. Enrico Fos, the Ambassador of the Philippines in Oslo, offered his comments.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Locally-led Aid and Accountability: What Have We Learned? (AidAccount Conference)

Wed, 15 May 2024 10:00:32 GMT

In prolonged humanitarian crises, individuals, groups, organizations, and diaspora communities play pivotal roles as humanitarian actors. They are often the first responders in emergencies and remain actively involved throughout the ensuing complex crises.

The AidAccount project has delved into how accountability is conceptualized and practiced at the intersection of civic and professional humanitarianism in protracted crises within Uganda, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.

In this lunch seminar, AidAccount researchers, together with Marangu Njogu (Windle International), Sever Dzigurski (KPSRL) and Hilde Salvesen (MFA) explored what we now know about understandings and practices of accountability in humanitarian assistance. The speakers draw on findings from the AidAccount project as well as eye-openers from the final conference. Moderator of the event was Cindy Horst, Research Professor, PRIO.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visualizing Memories of Protracted Displacement (AidAccount Conference)

Mon, 13 May 2024 15:30:34 GMT

On 13 May, we had hosted a conversation between Dr. Danesh Jayatilaka, Chairman of the Centre for Migration Research and Development and Dr. Mohideen Mohamed Alikhan, Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Tamina Sheriffdeen Rauf, Oslo City Council, and Cathrine Brun, Professor and Deputy Director of the Center for Lebanese Studies (CLS). The conversation was moderated by Marta Bivand Erdal, Research Professor at PRIO.

The event was part of the AidAccount conference.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Myanmar Roundtable: Artistic Practices after the Coup

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:45:56 GMT

On 22 April, as part of the final conference of the INSPIRE project, academics and artists discussed art and activism in Myanmar.

Speakers:

Chuu Wai, Visual Artist

Zun May Oo, Visual Artist

Ida Fagervold, Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Oslo

Sara Wong, PhD Candidate, London School of Economics

Marte Nilsen, Senior Researcher, PRIO

Please visit https://www.prio.org/events/9133 for more information about the event.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book launch: Humanitarian Extractivism - The Digital Transformation of Aid

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:08 GMT

On Thursday 29 February senior researcher Kristin Bergtora Sandvik launched her new book "Humanitarian Extractivism - The Digital Transformation of Aid". In this book Sandvik focuses on how practices of data extraction shift power towards states, the private sector and humanitarians.

Morten Tønnessen-Krokan from the Norwegian Red Cross and Anand Nair from the Norwegian Refugee Council joined Sandvik for a panel discussion, giving practitioners' perspectives on the digital transformation of aid. The conversation was moderated by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher at PRIO. Welcomes and introduction was given by Kristoffer Lidén, Research Director at PRIO.

Civilians Living with Organized Violence: Protective Strategies and Agency

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:00:32 GMT

On 22 January we brought together scholars and practitioners to discuss how we can better understand civilian agency and identify new ways of protecting civilians in conflict settings. The discussion was based on the newly published book "Civilian Protective Agency in Violent Settings" (Oxford University Press, 2023) edited by Jana Krause et. al.

Speakers:

Jana Krause, Professor, University of Oslo
Isak Svensson, Professor, Uppsala University
Eirin Mobekk, Policy Director on Fragility, Department for Partnerships and Shared prosperity, NORAD
Frederik Siem, Head of Unit, Protection and Restoring Family Links, Norwegian Red Cross

The conversation was moderated by Louise Olsson, Research Director at PRIO. Welcoming remarks by Henrik Urdal, the Director at PRIO.

Please visit https://www.prio.org/events/9103 to learn more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is There an End to the War in Ukraine?

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:00:59 GMT

Both Russia and Ukraine appear set for continuing with war even if the prospects for a full military victory seem increasingly unlikely. In this seminar, experts on the topic examined what would be required for a credible peace process to gain traction.

Speakers:

Tetiana Kyselova, Professor and Senior Fellow at Swisspeace
Pavel Baev, Research Professor, PRIO
Laurie Nathan, Professor of the Practice of Mediation, Kroc Institute
Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor, PRIO

The conversation will be moderated by Pinar Tank, Senior Researcher at PRIO.

This seminar was part of Oslo Peace Days 2023.

For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9094.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of Voice in Arts-based Dialogues for Justice, Peace, and Intergenerational Healing

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 14:00:27 GMT

On 11 December PRIO had the pleasure of hosting Dr Gillian Howell from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Dr Howell is a musician and researcher whose work investigates the social contributions of music-making in contexts affected by war, displacement, and colonial violence. She engaged in conversation with Chiara Ayad, Member of Masahat, to explore the ways that creative arts can bring voices into dialogue in the aftermath of conflict and how can this support peace, justice, self-determination and intergenerational healing. The conversation was moderated by Cindy Horst, Research Professor at PRIO.

2 minutes of Dr Gillian Howell's presentation was not recorded due to technical difficulties. Gillian began her presentation with an Acknowledgment of Country. This cultural protocol acknowledged that her work takes place on lands traditionally owned by the Wurundjeri people in what is today known as Melbourne, and on Bunuba country in far north-west Australia. She paid her respects to the Elders of these communities and acknowledged their ongoing care for and custodianship of the lands and waterways. She extended this respect to the traditional owners of the lands on which PRIO is located. In Australia, an Acknowledgment of Country is given at the start of a formal meeting or presentation, to show awareness of the traditional ownership of lands, and respect for the First Peoples of a particular location and their Elders.

For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9100.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Best and Worst Places for Women in the World - A panel on the Women, Peace and Security Index 2023

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:00:02 GMT

On 8 December PRIO hosted a panel discussion on the fourth edition of the Women, Peace and Security Index (Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and PRIO). The latest edition of the index features new country rankings, deep-dive analysis into political violence targeting women, a spotlight on conflict trends in 2022 and sub-national data for Colombia and Ethiopia. (First few minutes of the seminar was not recorded).

Speakers:

Elena Ortiz, Research Manager for the Women, Peace and Security Index, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and Lead Author of the Women, Peace and Security Index
Siri Aas Rustad, Research Director and Project Leader, PRIO
Signe Gilen, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Kjersti Fløgstad, Director, Nobel Peace Centre

Torunn L. Tryggestad, Deputy Director of PRIO, and Director of PRIO’s Gender, Peace and Security Centre, moderated the discussion.

This event was part of the Oslo Peace Days 2023.

For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9095

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Shapes Refugee Journeys?

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 07:30:34 GMT

On November 21, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing refugees' journeys within their countries of origin and to neighboring countries. As part of the CONMIG project on conflict induced migration, PRIO researchers shared insights from a survey conducted with South Sudanese refugees living in settlements in Northern Uganda.

Speakers:

Andreas Forø Tollefsen, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo and University of Oslo
Cathrine Talleraas, Senior Researcher, Chr. Michelsen Institute and Peace Research Institute Oslo
Marianne Friisberg Larssen, Research Assistant, Peace Research Institute Oslo
Sarah Khasalamwa-Mwandha, Associate Professor, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Emmanuel Viga, PhD Candidate, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Tale Hungnes, International Director Caritas
Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo

The panel is monitored by Research Professor Marta Bivand Erdal.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9075

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rethinking Development Through Global Urban Middle Classes

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 07:30:43 GMT

On November 10, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing how global urban middle classes are growing in the shadow of crises and inequality. Speakers were drawing on examples from cities in Africa and Asia to discuss how these emerging realities challenge current notions of 'development'.

Speakers:

Markus Roos Breines, Fafo. Author of Becoming Middle Class: Young People's Migration between Urban Centers in Ethiopia
Arve Hansen, University of Oslo and PRIO. Author of Consumption and Vietnam's New Middle Classes: Societal Transformations and Everyday Life.
Anu Abraham, PRIO
Karen Liao, PRIO

PRIO Director Henrik Urdal opened the event and PRIO Researcher Marta Bivand Erdal moderated the conversation.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9076.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial Intelligence and the Return of Great Power Competition

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:30:29 GMT

On October 26, PRIO hosted a public seminar to discuss how history shows that technology can change the global balance of power. In the context of growing US and China tensions, Jared Cohen discuss together with experts whether we are seeing the rise of geopolitical swing states and a new era of multi-alignment.

Speakers:

Jared Cohen, Co-Head of the Office of Applied Innovation and President of Global Affairs at Goldman Sachs and former CEO of Jigsaw (formerly Google Ideas)
Greg Reichberg, PRIO Research Professor
Katarzyna Zysk, Professor of International Relations and Contemporary History at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies
Silvija Seres, Mathematician and Technology Investor

PRIO Director Henrik Urdal moderated the conversation.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9078

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Competing Perspectives on Global AI Governance

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:00:43 GMT

On October 26, PRIO hosted a public seminar in which researchers with complementary expertise were brought together to discuss different perspectives on global AI governance. These include an analysis of the Chinese and EU approaches to AI governance, as well as of the challenges of regulating military AI. This seminar was part of the PRIO AI days 2023.

Speakers:

Ilaria Carrozza, Senior Researcher, PRIO
Bruno Oliveira Martins, Senior Researcher, PRIO
Nicholas Marsh, Senior Researcher, PRIO

Giacomo Bruni, Doctoral Researcher, PRIO, moderated the conversation.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9081

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How is AI Changing the Face of War?

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:30:24 GMT

On Oct 26, PRIO hosted a public seminar on the ethical and legal reflection on AI technologies' increasing integration into warfare. What restrictions or prohibitions should be put in place so that harmful weapon technologies are not fielded? What steps can be taken to ensure an ethical culture within organizations that develop and use new AI-based weapon technologies?

Speakers:

Greg Reichberg, PRIO Research Professor
Samar Abbas Nawaz, PRIO Doctoral Researcher
Cecilie Hellestveit, Fellow, Norwegian Academy of International Law

Henrik Syse, PRIO Research Professor, moderated the conversation.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9079.

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AI on Conflict and Early Warning

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:52:15 GMT

On October 25, PRIO hosted a public seminar to discuss the opportunities and challenges brought about by language-learning models that are used for conflict early-warning systems. The panel reviewed state-of-the-art methods to extract information on political events from large text corpora, such as vast collections of news sources or parliamentary debates, using various artificial intelligence technologies designed to analyze text data.

Speakers:

Simon Polichinel von der Maase, PRIO Senior Researcher
Haakon Gjerløw, PRIO Senior Researcher
Mihai Croicu, Doctoral Researcher
Sonja Häffner, Research Associate, Center for Crisis Early Warning, University of the Bundeswehr Munich

PRIO Research Professor Håvard Hegre moderated the discussion.

For more information about this event, please visit https://www.prio.org/events/9080.

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Pasts That Persist: Perspectives from Iraq and Palestine

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:00:40 GMT

On October 6, PRIO hosted a seminar bringing together expert voices from Iraq and Palestine to explore the multifaceted dimensions of collective memory, creating historical narratives and the shaping of political struggles.

Aida Al-Kaisy
Nadim Khoury

PRIO Researcher Jørgen Jensehaugen moderated the discussion.

For more information visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9067

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Lebanon in Crisis: Empowering Political Reform

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 11:00:31 GMT

On September 7, PRIO hosted a seminar with an aim illuminate the trajectory of Lebanon's future by convening voices that offer profound insights into the journey towards sustainable change. With a specific focus on grassroots initiatives, civil society engagement, and emerging political dynamics, the seminar aspired to delve into strategies that can reshape Lebanon's governance, foster active citizen involvement, and envision a future founded on social justice.

Speakers

Ibrahim Mneimneh, elected Member of Lebanese Parliament and a Leader of the Majmou'at 'amal (Collective Action) movement, whose election in 2022 marked a departure from traditional sectarian politics.
Mohamad Farida, a Lebanese Economist, who will discuss the needed economic reforms.
Dima El-Ayache, Activist with the Mada Network, a youth-driven initiative uniting secular clubs across Lebanese universities.

PRIO Research Associate Khaled Zaza moderated the discussion.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9065

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Mexico and Norway in the UN Security Council: Achievements and Legacies

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 12:00:04 GMT

On August 28, PRIO hosted a seminar exploring the experiences of Mexico and Norway in the UN Security Council, while also considering the historical legacies of the countries. The discussion focused on the ability of small states to influence the UN Security Council and identify challenges and opportunities Mexico and Norway faced when advancing various initiatives.

Speakers

Amb. Mona Juul, former Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN
Amb. Ulises Canchola, Ambassador of Mexico to Norway
Louise Olsson, PRIO Research Director
Cedric de Coning, NUPI Research Professor

The seminar was chaired by PRIO Deputy Director and Director of the PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and Security, Torunn L. Tryggestad.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9064

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Visual Storytelling: At the Interface Between Research and Art

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:00:11 GMT

On June 15, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing the potentials and challenges of using visual storytelling in academic research. How can human lives be explored through comics, animations and paintings of research? How can visual storytelling be used as a fieldwork method, or as a tool of knowledge production? How do researchers best partner with artists and research participants to share knowledge?

Speakers

Cindy Horst, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Maja Janmyr, Professor of International Migration Law, University of Oslo
Omar Khouri, Interdisciplinary Artist and co-founder of Samandal Comics
Diala Brusly, Visual artist

The seminar was chaired by Jacob Høigilt, Professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Oslo.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9047

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Global Conflict Trends: In the Shadow of Ukraine

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 08:00:50 GMT

On June 13, PRIO hosted a seminar on the newly released 2022 global conflict data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program. The seminar looked at the rise in battle-related deaths, the impact of non-state group involvement in foreign conflicts, and how recent events are changing the conflict landscape.

Speakers

Shawn Davies, Senior Analyst at the Uppsala Conflict Data Programme. Shawn will present the 2022 conflict data.
Håvard Strand, Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Håvard will look at the changing conflict trends.
Lovise Aalen, Research Professor, Chr. Michelsen Institute. Lovise will talk about the conflict in Ethiopia.

The seminar was chaired by PRIO Research Professor Siri Was Rustad.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9054

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Addressing Human Rights in North Korea: A Path to Global Security and Peace

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 11:00:12 GMT

On June 12, PRIO invited professor Shin-wha Lee, Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights, to discuss the interconnectedness between North Korean human rights and global/regional security concerns, emphasizing how mainstreaming human rights can serve as a foundation for achieving peace. 

Speakers

Shin-wha Lee, Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights, Republic of Korea and Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations
Stein Tønnesson, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Ed Brown, Secretary General, Stefanus Alliance International

The seminar was chaired by PRIO Senior Researcher Ilaria Carrozza and PRIO Director Henrik Urdal welcomed.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9056

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Planetary Citizens: How Imaginary Ways of Thinking and Acting Alter the Concept of Duty in Citizenship

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:59:44 GMT

On June 8, PRIO hosted a seminar with Professor Isin from the Queen Mary University of London, who outlined the development of planetary movements in the 21st century and the possibilities of planetary citizenship.

Speakers

Engin Isin, Professor Emeritus in International Politics, School of Politics and International Relations, Queen Mary University of London
Cindy Horst, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and Co-Director of the PRIO Centre on Culture and Violence
David Jordhus-Lier, Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Geography, University of Oslo

The seminar was chaired by PRIO Research Professor Simon Reid-Henry.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9048

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Justifying Military Power in Myanmar and Thailand

Mon, 22 May 2023 12:20:18 GMT

On May 22, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing why militaries believe that they are the right institutions to govern a country, what symbols and arguments they use and how democratic forces navigate in this political landscape.

Speakers

Amara Thiha, Doctoral Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Titipol Phakdeewanich, Dean at the Department of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University (Thailand).

The seminar was chaired by PRIO Senior Researcher Marte Nilsen.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9045

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China's Growing Role in the Middle East

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:30:00 GMT

On April 20, PRIO hosted a seminar examining the consequences of China's engagement in the ongoing conflicts and fragile geopolitical balance in the Middle East.

Speakers

Guy Burton, Adjunct Professor, Brussels School of Governance
Jonathan Fulton, Assistant Professor, Zayed University

The seminar was chaired by PRIO Senior Researcher Ilaria Carrozza, and PRIO Senior Researcher Júlia Palik offered comments.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9039

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The Challenges of Inclusive Peace Processes: The Case of Colombia

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 10:28:00 GMT

On April 18, PRIO hosted a seminar with three experts that examined the ways through which inclusive peace processes can be developed, maintained, and implemented.

Speakers

Dag Nylander, Director, Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF)
Wenche Iren Hauge, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Júlia Palik, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

PRIO's Deputy Director, Torunn Tryggestad will moderate the discussion and give opening remarks.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9036

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Climate Change, Conflict and Russia's War on Ukraine: Consequences for Global Food Security

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:54:00 GMT

On March 30, PRIO hosted a seminar taking stock of the global food insecurity situation and discussed how it relates to climate change and armed conflict, also in light of the war in Ukraine.

Speakers

Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
Rein Paulsen, Head of Office for Emergency and Resilience, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Siri Eriksen, Professor, Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Noragric
Ida Rudolfsen, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Halvard Buhaug, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) led the seminar
Henrik Urdal, Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) welcomed and introduced the speakers.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9033

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Resisting Occupation through Art - A Conversation with Ahmed Tobasi

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:48:00 GMT

On March 13, PRIO invited Ahmed Tobasi, the Director of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin, Palestine, and PRIO Researcher Sara Christophersen to sit down and share their experiences and discuss the role of art as activism, cultural resistance, assertions of identity, and ongoing shifts in Palestinian narratives.

The conversation was hosted by PRIO's Middle East Centre and PRIO's Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict.

The director of PRIO's Middle East Centre, Kristian Berg Harpviken, moderated the conversation and offered opening remarks.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9025

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What Do Good Solutions to Internal Displacement Look Like?

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 09:44:00 GMT

On March 8, PRIO invited UN Special Adviser on Solutions to Displacement, Robert Piper, to join a discussion on internal displacement and the gendered impacts of displacement.

What do data and research have to say about what causes displacement and how? How do various causes of internal displacement affect men and women differently, in the short and long term? What are the short and longer-term consequences of displacement? And what are the gendered impacts of displacement?

Speakers

Introduction by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Research Director at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Robert Piper, UN Special Adviser on Solutions to internal displacement, presented "Solutions to situations of internal displacement - a gender perspective"
Marta Bivand Erdal, Research Professor in Migration Studies at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), presented "Can protracted displacement end?"
Halvard Buhaug, Research Director at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), presented "We tried to predict flood displacements and failed. This is why"
Gunn Jorid Roset, Multilateral Department, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Laila Matar, Advocacy and Media Director, Norwegian Refugee Council

The event was chaired by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Research Director at PRIO.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9032

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One Year after Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – Geopolitical Impacts for Europe, the Middle East and Sahel

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 09:34:00 GMT

On February 28, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, PRIO invited four PRIO researchers to discuss the international implications of the war so far and prospects for the future. The discussion gave special focus to the implications of the conflict for Europe, the Middle East, and the Sahel.

Speakers

Pavel Baev, PRIO Research Professor
Nicholas Marsh, PRIO Senior Researcher
Marie Sandnes, PRIO Doctoral Researcher
Pinar Tank, PRIO Senior Researcher

The discussion was moderated by PRIO Director Henrik Urdal.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9018

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Terrorism Ill-Defined? Data, Health Services and the Law

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:25:00 GMT

On February 16, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing terrorism, mental health, and security.

Recent acts of terrorism in Norway - the 22 July attack, the 2019 Bærum mosque attack, the 2021 Kongberg killings and the 2022 Oslo Pride Parade attacks - illustrate a phenomenon observed in other countries: that perpetrators and would-be perpetrators of terrorist attacks often suffer from mental illness.

Mental health issues may affect the motivation for an attack and how the attack was planned and executed, in addition to issues of criminal competence and sanity. In response, police and intelligence services increasingly involve health authorities and access health data to prevent and counter violent extremism.

Drawing on ongoing research in Norway and the United Kingdom, this seminar reflected on the political, ethical, and legal dimensions of such efforts, and what the shift in mental health thinking means for security research.

Speakers

Charlotte Heath-Kelly, Professor in Counterterrorism and Public Policy, University of Warwick
Charlotte was the keynote speaker addressing the topic of multiagency counterterrorism in Norway and the UK, focusing on intelligence agencies in the care and welfare space.
Kristin Bergtora Sandvik, Research Professor, University of Oslo and Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Kristin reflected on the legal accountability concerning the 22 July, Kongsberg, and Pride terror attacks.
Rita Augestad Knudsen, Senior Research Fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Rita addressed the topic of mental health and terrorism, focusing on emerging research and new policy dilemmas.
Kristoffer Lidén, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Kristoffer chaired the event.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9019

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Uncertain Future for Millions of Palestinian Refugees: A Conversation about UNRWA

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:52:00 GMT

On February 15, PRIO hosted a conversation about the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

For the past 70 years, UNRWA has provided humanitarian support to Palestinian refugees (currently numbering 5.9 million), as they wait for a political solution. After decades of conflict, such a solution has failed to materialize and UNRWA continues to need to exist. Despite this, it has struggled with persistent underfunding even though humanitarian needs are immense.

In the wake of multiple regional crises, the situation for Palestinian refugees is becoming increasingly precarious, while at the same time, there has been an increasingly politicized debate concerning UNRWA funding in a number of donor countries.

Speakers

Leni Stenseth, Deputy Commissioner General for UNRWA
Jørgen Jensehaugen, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Kjersti Berg, Associated Researcher, Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI)

The seminar was moderated by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Research Director at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9017

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Marek Thee: My Story - A Journey through the 20th Century

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 15:45:00 GMT

On January 19, PRIO hosted a discussion based on Marek Thee's autobiography. Marek Thee (1918-99) was a fighter with a typewriter. He lived a dramatic life amidst some of the 20th century's most tragic conflicts.

In his just-published autobiography, written in the 1990s, we meet him as a young leftist student in the Free City of Danzig (Gdańsk) before the Nazi takeover; an advocate of the Jewish Zionist cause in Palestine during and after the Second World War; a diplomat, foreign service official, and scholar in the post-war Polish Republic; a Polish representative on the Commission for Supervision and Control of the Geneva agreements on Indochina and Laos; a foreign affairs analyst specializing on Asian affairs in Warsaw of the 1960s; and eventually, for the last 30 years of his life, as a peace researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the Norwegian Human Rights Institute, once again in exile from his native Poland.

Speakers

Halina Thee, Marek Thee's daughter and a certified translator
Mats Tangestuen, Historian and Academic Director, Oslo Jewish Museum
Stein Tønnesson, former student and colleague of Marek Thee and expert on the Indochina Wars

The panel was chaired by Marta Bivand Erdal, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/9005

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Humanitarian Borders & the Governance of Mobility in Europe: from 2015 to 2022

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:37:00 GMT

On December 1, PRIO hosted a session where we provided an overview of the humanitarian borders of Europe, from what the concept entails to how politics and practices of reception are negotiated and reshaped by different actors interacting.

Topics and speakers

'Introduction: Humanitarian borders – pertinence and key issues' by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, PRIO
'Researchers’ & practitioners’ insights into different humanitarian borders in Europe: Camps in Greece' by Heidi Mogstad, Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI)
'Detentions in the UK' by Maisie Fitzmaurice, PRIO
'Poland’s Eastern borders' by Anna Ratecka, Jagiellonian University
'Search and rescue in the Mediterranean' by Trygve Thorson, MSF Norway
'EU research into new border technologies' by Lise Endregard Hemat, PRIO
Comments & insights from respective research' by Polly Pallister-Wilkins, University of Amsterdam and Elisa Pascucci, University of Helsinki

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8981

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Drones over Norway: Opportunities, Threats and Vulnerabilities

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 15:30:00 GMT

On November 25, PRIO hosted a seminar gathering some of the key stakeholders of the Norwegian drone landscape to discuss the state of the drone industry in Norway, the regulatory efforts to integrate drones in the airspace, and the security and safety issues that persist today.

Over the last weeks, numerous incidents involving drones have made headlines in Norway. These incidents include multiple drone sightings outside oil platforms and energy installations, drone incursions in the vicinity of airports leading to the temporary closure of some of them, and Russian citizens being arrested at Norwegian border crossing sites and airports in possession of drones and drone-collected data on their way back to Russia. These incidents have brought the presence of drones in civilian airspace to the covers of newspapers in the country.

Speakers

Jacob Bjelland, State Secretary, Ministry of Transport
Mats Gjertsen Avinor
Anders Martinsen, UAS Norway
Eivind Raknes, Civil Aviation Authority Norway
Christian Brunsvig, Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI)
Introduction by Torunn Tryggestad, Deputy Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

The event was chaired by Bruno Oliveira Martins, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8982

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Drones in Civilian Airspaces: Security, Regulation, and Imagination

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 15:26:00 GMT

On November 24 and 25, PRIO hosted an international conference that gathered international experts from around the world as well as key stakeholders in the Norwegian landscape.

Over the last few years, the use of drones in civilian airspace has increased dramatically, opening up some opportunities and leading to a wide range of new security challenges, as illustrated by the numerous incidents observed in Norway in recent weeks. In response to this proliferation, significant international, regional, and national efforts have been undertaken to develop regulations to integrate drones safely into civilian airspace.

What security problems arise from drone proliferation in the airspace, and how will this problem-set change as automation and artificial intelligence become more widespread?

What are the frames, scope, and boundaries of the discourse regarding the promises and risks of civil-drone integration?

How can Norwegian and EU authorities adapt regulatory frameworks to integrate drones into civilian airspace while maintaining high safety, security, and privacy standards?

For the full programme and more information about the event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8990

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Afghanerne: En samtale med forfatter Åsne Seierstad

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:18:00 GMT

Liv Kjølseth i samtale med forfatter Åsne Seierstad om hennes nye bok Afghanerne.

Da Kabul falt og Taliban overtok makten i Afghanistan i august 2021, fikk Jamila plass på det første flyet til Norge. Samtidig inntok krigsherren Bashir hjembyen hennes. En kvinnelig student, med ett semester igjen på universitetet, ble sendt hjem. Der får hun beskjed om å gifte seg med en ukjent mann.

I denne boka reiser Åsne Seierstad tilbake til Afghanistan, tjue år etter at hun skrev Bokhandleren i Kabul. Hun forteller historiene til dem som flyktet fra Taliban og dem som ble igjen. Det er historien om hvordan en jente som selv ble nektet utdanning bruker islam for å kjempe for kvinners rettigheter. Om en ung gutt som rømmer hjemmefra for å bli talibaner og kjempe i hellig krig. Og en jente som blir født når vestlige styrker inntar landet, og som tror at hun etter jusstudiene skal få jobbe og være en del av samfunnet.

Afghanerne er et nært portrett av tre mennesker som går hver sin vei og et land i krig.

For mer informasjon om dette arrangementet: https://www.prio.org/events/8986

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Responding to Needs in Afghanistan: From Humanitarian Relief to Development

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:14:00 GMT

On November 17, PRIO hosted a panel that took us back to the early autumn of 2021 and examined how the international donor community responded to the Taliban takeover. Humanitarian assistance was rapidly scaled up to prevent the worst-case scenarios.

The panel also looked at the experiences of national and international NGOs who continued working in the rural communities, supporting basic services in health, education, and food security at a time when the international funding of the public sector in Afghanistan was cut off. How has the aid architecture developed over this last year? What opportunities, hurdles, and gaps can be identified in moving from a humanitarian response to sustainable development?

Speakers

Zarqa Yaftali
Roxanne Sharpour
Liv Kjølseth
Arne Strand

The event was chaired by Karim Merchant.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8987

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Norwegian Intelligence in Afghanistan: How Much Did They Know?

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:09:00 GMT

On November 16, PRIO hosted a panel that discussed this statement from The Norwegian Godal Committee from 2017: "The support the Intelligence Service provided to the Special Forces through the National Intelligence Support Team (NIST) was the most comprehensive and resource-intensive part of the service’s involvement in Afghanistan". The data feed into the targeted killings that were an integral part of the Western military operations.

Frank Bakke Jensen stated that Norway is not responsible for whether data collected by us is used for the killing of civilians. But several critics have contested this, arguing that some of the intelligence proved weak and that Norway has a legal responsibility under the Geneva Convention for how its intelligence was used for.

What lessons can we draw from this experience and apply to future intelligence operations? To what extent can we be sure that Norwegian armed forces and Western forces, in general, operate based on correct information in other conflict situations today?

Speakers

Cecilie Hellestvedt
Frode Kristoffersen
Kjetil Hatlebrekke
Kristian Berg Harpviken

The event was chaired by Laila Bokhari.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8993

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Trouble in Afghanistan, Trouble in the Neighbourhood?

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:59:00 GMT

On November 15, PRIO hosted a seminar on Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries as part of Afghanistan Week 2022.

The Taliban have now controlled Afghanistan for over a year, and the relationships between the new rulers and its neighbours are taking shape. The level of continuity in the relations between Afghanistan and its neighbours has been striking, as seen in the mounting tensions between the Taliban and its long-time supporter, Pakistan. Furthermore, global shifts – including Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and China’s steady rise – impacts both Afghanistan and the dynamics within its surrounding regions.

How did the tense neighbourly relations play into the 2021 endgame and the Taliban’s military victory? How do Afghanistan’s neighbours relate to Afghanistan’s new rulers? Can distant powers contribute to aiding Afghans by working with the country’s neighbours?

Speakers

Ilaria Carrozza, Senior Researcher, PRIO
Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor and Director of the Middle East Centre, PRIO
Andrew Watkins, Senior Expert on Afghanistan, U.S. Institute of Peace
Masood Karokhail

The event was chaired by Arne Strand.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8983

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It Depends: Unpicking the Development Impacts of Migration in Asia

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 14:54:00 GMT

On November 11, PRIO hosted a seminar on the development impacts of migration in Asia, and how we can make sense of them, with professor Jonathan Rigg from the University of Bristol.

Jonathan explored why migration 'optimists' and 'pessimists' find such rich empirical pickings in the mobility landscape of Asia. Drawing on work across rural areas of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam) and South Asia (Sri Lanka and Nepal), he sought to shed light on the mixed developmental origins, effects, and impacts of migration on people, communities, and environments.

The seminar highlighted the simple but important point that migration is a process with no natural propensity for enabling and generating good or bad change; context is everything.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8972

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Lebanon’s Current Crisis and Prospects for Renewal

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:46:00 GMT

On November 10, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing the contours of the present crisis in Lebanon, prospects for renewal, and how PRIO's dialogue forum fits into this landscape. Over the last year, PRIO's Middle East Centre has initiated a dialogue forum in Lebanon that has brought together a diverse range of actors from across the national spectrum. These participants, reflecting these new political formations, have engaged in panel discussions around key topics essential to creating a renewed vision for Lebanon.

The seminar will ask the following questions:
What are the contours of this crisis and what does this post-election landscape look like for Lebanese civil society?
How significant has this period been for a better future for Lebanon?
And finally, how can dialogue forums impact processes of renewal?

Speakers

Maja Janmyr, Professor in International Migration Law, University of Oslo
Gregory M. Reichberg, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Reichberg moderated this seminar.
Kjetil Selvik, Research Professor, NUPI
Khaled Zaza, Research Associate in PRIO's Middle East Centre

Opening remarks from Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor and Director of the PRIO Middle East Centre.

The seminar is part of the series MidEast Breakfast organized by PRIO's Middle East Centre.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8977

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The Challenge of Just Environmental Transitions in the Middle East and North Africa

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:24:00 GMT

On September 22, PRIO hosted a seminar discussing how the environmental and climate crises intersect with social inequality in the Middle East and North Africa, and how we root environmental and climate debates within the region in social justice ad equity concerns.

Speaker

Sarine Karajerjian, Program Director of the Environmental Politics program at the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)

Commentator

Aïda Delpuech, Independent Journalist based in Tunis.

The event was moderated by Pinar Tank, Senior Researcher at PRIO.

The seminar was part of the series MidEast Breakfast organized by PRIO's Middle East Centre.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8968

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food as a Catalyst for Change

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 13:56:00 GMT

On September 15, PRIO hosted a talk by Sean Sherman, "the Sioux Chief", followed by a discussion about how food can be a catalyst for change.

Sherman is an award-winning American chef, author, and foundation co-founder, who is committed to revitalizing Native American cuisine and in the process re-identifying North American cuisine and reclaiming an important culinary culture long buried and often inaccessible. Sherman presented his work, after which he engaged in a conversation with animator, painter, illustrator, conceptual artist, and muralist Diala Brisly.

The conversation was moderated by Cindy Horst, Research Professor at PRIO and Co-Director of PRIO's Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8964

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2022 Global Food Security Crisis: Risks of Social Conflict and Effects on Development

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 13:48:00 GMT

On June 16, PRIO hosted a public seminar to launch new research and discuss the implications of global food insecurity in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This seminar was held in Norwegian.

Speakers

Ida Rudolfsen, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Nicholas Marsh, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Roman Vakulchuk, Senior Research Fellow, The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)
Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development
Ingvild Langhus, Senior Advisor, Norad's Section for Food

Introduction by PRIO Director Henrik Urdal.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8951

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Global Competition for AI Technology Dominance

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 13:38:00 GMT

On June 16, PRIO hosted a seminar on the strategic implications of global competition over dual-use technology. The seminar discussed topics including global technological competition; AI developments in the US, China, and Russia; the convergence of AI and life sciences; and the security implications of next-generation biotech.

Speakers

Margarita Konaev, Deputy Director of Analysis and Research Fellow at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET)
Filippa Lentzos, Senior Lecturer in Science & International Security, King's College London

Comments by Nicholas Marsh, Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), and Greg Reichberg, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

The event was moderated by Ilaria Carrozza, Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8947

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Lebanon After the Collapse?

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:29:00 GMT

On June 7, PRIO hosted a seminar on how Lebanon seems to always be at a crossroads. Two overlapping crises have made the preset moment unlike any other in Lebanon's recent history.

In this seminar, Bassel F. Salloukh from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies will share his analysis. Rania Maktabi, Associate Professor at Østfold University College, will offer comments, and Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor and Director of the PRIO Middle East Centre will offer opening remarks.

The seminar is part of the series MidEast Breakfast organized by PRIO's Middle East Centre.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8937

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeking Refuge in Greece: Local and EU Responses, Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:21:00 GMT

On June 2, PRIO invited a panel of speakers to discuss local and EU responses to migrants seeking refuge in Greece. Has the EU, however, stepped up its reaction to the overall needs of people seeking international protection, often stuck in limbo in different areas along the external borders, whether in Greece, Italy, or Northern France? How are these responses (or non-responses) seen from the local perspective in Greece seven years after the start of the increased arrivals in 2015? Furthermore, against the background of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, and ongoing discussions about how different categories of migrants are received at EU borders, what can we learn from ongoing rapid responses and mobilization, and what are the lessons that can be learned from the Greek experience?

Speakers

Welcome and introduction by Marta Bivand Erdal, Research Professor, Migration Studies at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Presentation by Manos Logothetis, Secretary General of Reception and Asylum, Greece
Presentation by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher and Research Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

Panel discussion with Manos Logothetis, Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Trude Jacobsen, Secretary General, Dråpen i Havet, and Anna Ratecka, Research Fellow and Doctoral Candidate, Institute of Sociology, Jagiellonian University of Krakow.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8944

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refugee Education Reimagined: A Pedagogy of Hope

Fri, 20 May 2022 13:07:00 GMT

On May 20, PRIO hosted a seminar on how education can enable refugees and communities to build durable futures when there is great uncertainty about where these futures will be. Recognizing the protracted nature of refugee situations, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) prioritizes the integration of refugees into the national education systems of host countries. How does this strategy work in practice for refugee children, when education systems focus on creating national citizens of the future? What aspirations do pupils, their communities, teachers, national authorities and donors have for refugee education? Drawing on findings from the REBuilD project, this conference explored these questions with the aim to reimagine what education can offer refugees and nation-states.

Speakers

Cindy Horst, Research Professor, PRIO
Hassan Aden, Doctoral Candidate/ Doctoral Researcher, University of Gothenburg / PRIO
Abdirahman Edle (Ali), Doctoral Candidate, Institute for Development Studies (IDS), Nairobi and University of Copenhagen
Anne Marie Eiby, Teacher, Kuben Secondary School in Oslo
Ronit Cohen, Senior Education Advisor, Save the Children
Marte Nilsen, Senior Researcher, PRIO

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8935

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helping Refugees from Ukraine and Preventing Exploitation

Thu, 12 May 2022 13:00:00 GMT

On May 12, PRIO hosted a panel discussing measures to prevent human trafficking in the context of the war in Ukraine, between volunteers' crucial assistance and governments' measures to control and gain oversight. The discussion focused on raising awareness around the power dynamics at play between the refugees, citizen-led volunteer networks and organizations, and governments' tools both for facilitating these forms of assistance and for preventing human trafficking, against the background of ongoing reception efforts of people fleeing Ukraine.

Speakers

Edi Mujaj, Senior Adviser, Task Force Against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB), Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat
Guri Tyldum, Researcher at FAFO
Jan Austad, Norwegian Ministry of Justice
Despina F. Johansen, Director of Operations, Dråpen i Havet
Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission, IOM Norway

The panel was chaired by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Research Director at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8941

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

War in Ukraine and the Fight for Democracy in Belarus

Fri, 06 May 2022 12:51:00 GMT

On May 6, PRIO hosted an open lecture with the leader of democratic Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who spoke on how the war in Ukraine is affecting the situation in Belarus, and how the pro-democracy movement in the country reacts to the war. What are the possible implications for the Lukashenko regime and for the pro-democracy forces in Belarus?

The lecture was followed by a comment by PRIO Research Professor Pavel Beav on the impact of the developments in Belarus in the anti-war sentiments and activities in Russia.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8939

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Origins of Islamist Civil Wars

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 12:42:00 GMT

On April 26, PRIO hosted a discussion reflecting on the questions of what explains the rise in Islamist rebel groups, and how Islamist insurgencies develop. In this discussion, we critically engaged with the account that incomplete modernization prepares the ground for Islamist groups, looked at its applicability to other cases, and examined its possible implications for policy-makers and practitioners.

Speakers

Mikael Hiberg Naghizadeh, Doctoral Researcher, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford
Stig Jarle Hansen, Professor, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Marianne Dahl, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

Opening remarks from Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor and Director of the PRIO Middle East Centre.

The seminar is part of the series MidEast Breakfast organized by PRIO's Middle East Centre.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8933

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The War in Ukraine and Its Impact on Energy in the Middle East

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:30:00 GMT

On April 19, PRIO hosted on how the worldwide energy crisis, triggered by the war in Ukraine, has major repercussions in the Middle East. The energy shock poses challenges to those wealthy countries that are pursuing a shift away from their dependence on oil and gas resources, as well as to those struggling economies that rely on energy imports. For the region's energy exporters, the crisis - at least temporarily - brings large economic gains and political leverage.

Speakers

Pavel Baev, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Harry Tzimitras, Research Professor and Director of the PRIO Cyprus Centre
Mathilde Becker Aarseth, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages, University of Oslo

Opening remarks from Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor and Director of the PRIO Middle East Centre.

The seminar is part of the series MidEast Breakfast organized by PRIO's Middle East Center.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8932

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Do We Best Respond to Global Displacement?

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 08:39:00 GMT

On March 8, PRIO hosted a panel discussion with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on how the international community can work together to protect and assist refugees and to find durable solutions to increasingly complex displacement situations. The panelists also discussed the space and place for refugee participation in shaping these processes and outcomes.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.prio.org/events/8921

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.