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

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.SpeakersKristin Bergtora Sandvik, University of Oslo and Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)Morten Tønnessen-Krokan, the Norwegian Red CrossOlav Østrem, faktisk.noThe 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.

6 Dec 20241h 14min

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.SpeakersØystein H. Rolandsen, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute OsloSimone Tholens, Part-time professor, European University InstituteHilde Frafjord Johnson, Senior Advisor, European Institute of Peace (EIP)Elisa Tarnaala, Senior Adviser, CMI Martti Ahtisaari Peace FoundationThe 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.

28 Nov 20241h 18min

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.SpeakersJørgen Jensehaugen, Senior Researcher, PRIOMarte Nilsen, Senior Researcher, PRIOAsmaa 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.

27 Nov 202458min

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

2 Sep 20241h 13min

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.

7 Aug 20241h 13min

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.SpeakersIntroduction by PRIO Director Henrik UrdalKeynote by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe LazzariniComments by Vebjørn Dysvik, Director General, Department of Regional Affairs, Norwegian MFAComments by PRIO researcher Jørgen Jensehaugen Panel conversation between Commissioner-General Lazzarini, Vebjørn Dysvik and Jørgen Jensehaugen moderated by Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, Senior Researcher at PRIORead more about this event here: https://www.prio.org/events/9147 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Juni 202456min

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.ProgramPresentation by Therese Petterson, Research Coordinator, Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala UniversityPanel conversation with Brynjar Lia, Professor, University of Oslo and Mauricio Rivera Celestino, Senior Researcher, PRIOSiri Aas Rustad, Research Director at PRIO, moderated the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Juni 20241h 31min

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).SpeakersFredrik Engelstad, Professor Emeritus, University of Oslo and Institute for Social ResearchLars Mjøset, Professor Emeritus, University of OsloAndrew Bennet, Professor, Georgetown UniversityNils Butenschön, Professor, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of OsloRania Maktabi, Associate Professor, Østfold University CollegeThe panel discussion will be moderated by Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor, PRIOThis 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.

30 Maj 20242h 1min