The conference will be coordinated through The Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts at the University of Chicago and the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen's University. 

Global Conflict |The Human Impact will address the human cost of violent conflict and identify emerging strategies for conflict resolution.

Coming two decades after the Good Friday Agreement, and timed to coincide with the Papal visit to Ireland, this conference offers a distinctive opportunity to assess the lessons learned from the peace agreement, as well as the daunting challenges and human toll of the world's current refugee crisis; the largest population of displaced people since World War II.

The academic agenda for the conference is being developed by The Pearson Institute and the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, incorporating the academic strength and excellence of two leading institutions while drawing upon the experiences of international leaders such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, former US Senator George J. Mitchell, former US Assistant Secretary of State Anne C. Richard and Dominic MacSorley, CEO of Concern Worldwide.

"Global Conflict | The Human Impact will bring together new insights and empirical findings to better understand the sources of violent conflicts and to explore new approaches to resolve them," said Daniel Diermeier, provost of the University of Chicago. "We look forward to working with Queen's University Belfast to convene scholars, leaders and practitioners in a city that has many lessons to teach about conflict and peacemaking."

Professor Richard English, distinguished professorial fellow in the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen's University Belfast, added, "Queen's University Belfast is delighted to be working with the University of Chicago, and with such a diverse and influential set of experts, to address some of the world's most pressing challenges in this compelling conference in Belfast."

Gathering at Queen's University, leading voices from around the world will engage in robust debate and discuss strategies that focus on reducing the prevalence of violent conflict and its tragic impact on people, especially families. Key content areas include:    

• Northern Ireland: How peace was built
• Colombia: The path to peace
• Policy responses to the current global refugee crisis
• Impact of the refugee crisis on individuals and families

These panels will highlight evidenced-based research on various conflicts as well as first-person narrative accounts. Sessions will also explore conflicts and humanitarian issues through the eyes of global leaders who are working on-the-ground to address these challenges.

Additional speaker announcements will released in due course. 

The conference will be open to the public and free to attend. To register, please visit: www.globalconflict2018.org. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

 

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office on comms.office@qub.ac.uk or (028) 9097 5845