To mark the conclusion of the Talk4Peace Project, a public seminar was held at Queen’s University Belfast on 29 April 2024, bringing together researchers and practitioners to explore transformative approaches to peace mediation with a focus on innovative strategies and creative approaches.

The Talk4peace project was led by Institute Fellow: Religion, Arts and Peacebuilding Dr Maria-Adriana Deiana (QUB) and by Dr Heidi Riley (UCD).  The project is funded by the HEA North-South Research programme, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Shared Island Fund.

The seminar began with a welcome address by Dr Maria Adriana Deiana (QUB) and Dr Heidi Riley (UCD) who outlined a summary of the Talk4Peace project and presented findings from the latest project output, Toolkit For Transformative Mediation in Peacebuilding.

You can watch a recording of the welcome address here.

 

The first panel titled Promoting Inclusion: Innovations in Research and Practice was chaired by Liza Wilkinson, Director of Tides Training and Consultancy, a key partner in the project.

Dr Julia Palmiano Federer, ETH Zurich, discussed her latest book NGOs Mediating Peace, Promoting Inclusion in Myanmar’s Nationwide Ceasefire Negotiations.  This is one of the first studies providing an in-depth examination of the role of NGOs as “norm entrepreneurs” in the field of mediation and the complex unintended consequences of the pursuit of inclusivity in peace negotiations.

Sara Cook, independent mediator and conciliation specialist, discussed findings from her latest research on trauma informed approaches to mediation conducted on behalf of the Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth (WMC) network.  Sara outlined findings from the report “Personal Impact, Professional Resilience: The Psychosocial Implications of Peacebuilding for Women Mediators” based on in-depth interviews with 28 experienced women mediators and peacebuilders from the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth.

Enda Young, Managing Director of Mediation Northern Ireland, presented initial findings from an innovative project that explores immersive technology and practices for conflict resolution at the intersection of medical simulations, drama and acting technique, and mediative practice.  The project is a collaboration between Mediation NI, researchers at Queen’s working on drama and medical science.

Dr Nafees Hamid, Kings College London, talked about his interdisciplinary work at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and the study political violence.  As the Research & Policy Director for the XCEPT project, he discussed his latest project on how to navigate sacred values which are often what precludes compromise and makes conflict intractable, outlining policy and practice implications for those interested in mediation and conflict transformation.

You can watch a recording of this panel here

 

The second panel titled The Transformative Potential of the Arts & Creative Methods was chaired by Dr Maria Adriana Deiana (QUB).

Dr Nila Premaratna, Newcastle University, presented fascinating insights on the role of theatre in peacebuilding.  Based on her extensive research in Sri Lanka with the theatre company Jana Karaliya/ Makkal Kalari / Theatre of the People, Dr Premaratna discussed how theatre can generate spaces for building peace at the intersection of the personal, emotional and societal level.

Dr Gail Ritchie, artist and International Relations scholar, presented compelling reflections based on her art practice which explores the themes of memory and memorialisation through drawing, sculpture and installation.  In 2022, Gail completed her practice-based PhD in International Relations at Queen's University Belfast and exhibited the visual research, The im/material monument, at the Naughton Gallery.

Dr Laura Davis, poet and independent expert in people-centred conflict analysis and Ola Salah, independent peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity expert, shared insights from their collaborative work with Syrian women exploring the use of textiles, storytelling and other creative methods to support and generate dialogue.

Stéphanie Heckman talked about her work as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator based on her experience working internationally and in Belfast . Stéphanie reflected on the power of visual communication to enhance opportunities for inclusive dialogue through creativity.  Stéphanie was a collaborator of the Talk4peace project, having visualised the focused groups undertaken as part of the research. Her artwork for Talk4peace was exhibited during the seminar.

You can watch a recording of this panel here