More than half of the world's population lives in violent settings, such as civil wars, communal conflicts, cities plagued by gang violence, and areas governed by criminal organizations. Living exposed to diverse forms of violence, individuals and communities have found innovative and sometimes counterintuitive ways to protect themselves and others.
This seminar is based on the recently published book "Civilian Protective Agency in Violent Settings" (Oxford University Press, 2023) and brings together scholars and practitioners in a discussion on how we can better understand civilian agency and identify new ways of protecting civilians in conflict settings. The book describes what civilian agency and its protective strategies can mean in practice and provide rich examples from a range of countries, from Syria to Mozambique, Sri Lanka to Mexico, Iraq to Colombia and Western Europe. This broad span of insights thereby provide us with vital knowledge and recommendations for policymakers, international organizations and donor countries seeking to support local individuals and communities through peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities.
This event is supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme through the project ‘ResilienceBuilding: Social Resilience, Gendered Dynamics, and Local Peace in Protracted Conflicts’, hosted at the University of Oslo.
A reception will follow the seminar.
From left: Isak Svensson, Frederik Siem, Jana Krause, and Louise Olsson. Photo: PRIO / Mieke Löhrer
Speakers
- Jana Krause, Professor, University of Oslo
- Juan Masullo, Assistant Professor, Leiden University
- 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 will be moderated by Louise Olsson, Research Director at PRIO. Welcoming remarks by Henrik Urdal, the Director at PRIO.
