A new dawn for South Africa, but a false start for Northern Ireland

Today the Irish Times a piece I have written about the Presidential shifts in South Africa and the collapse of the Stormont Talks.

The article begins "In a strange way the South Africa and Northern Ireland peace processes have always been linked. In the 1990s both were heralded as examples of how deep divisions could be overcome, and co-operation fostered between former enemies. Other connections were more direct, such as the former ANC lead negotiator and now new South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s role in the decommissioning processes as an inspector on behalf of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. Two decades later, however, both peace processes have lost their shine..."

To read the rest, click here.

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Resilience Focused Workshop in Sierra Leone

Project Participants in Sierra Leone

With partners Fambul Tok (Sierra Leone), Catalyst for Peace (US), Refugee Law Project (Uganda), Green String Network (Kenya), and the Research and Advocacy Unit and African University (Zimbabwe), I am managed to secure a seed grant to develop a Global Challenges Research Fund project to bring together partners to consider: "What are the internal-external framework and relationships that genuinely, in practice, support the creation of resilient communities facing ongoing and dynamic peace and development challenges, and how can communities, local organisations and international donors help to grow these?" A large inter-country meeting took place in Freetown in 22-26 January 2018. A range of new initiatives will now flow from the meeting including joint research and proposals.

Professor Erin Baines Visits Belfast

In December 2017 Professor Erin Baines, Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) at the University of British Columbia, visited Belfast.

The purpose of the trip was to explore ongoing partnerships and also engage with Ulster University MSc, LLM and PhD students. Professor Baines offered two classes on focusing on her work in Uganda entitled "Children & Futurities" and a second research focused workshop entitled "De-colonial approaches to research on violence".

We also got some time to do some writing, and wider than this her and I outlined some future plans for joint co-operation and research. I look forward to continuing to work with her.

Launch of "John Hume: In His Own Words"

Brandon Hamber, Sean Farren, Pat Hume, Colm Eastwood, Malachy O'Neill

Great to be at the launch of  "John Hume: In His Own Words" edited by Seán Farren. The event was hosted by Four Courts Press in association with Ulster University. Pat Hume was the keynote speaker providing many useful and detailed insights into her and John Hume's work. I spoke about the importance of peace and Hume legacy.

Reflecting on Masculinities Through the Eye of the Needle

The Textile Language of Conflicts Exhibition launched today (6 November 2017) at the Magee Campus, Ulster University. The exhibition was curated by Roberta Bacic and organised by Professor Robinson. I gave the keynote address at the opening entitled "Reflecting on Masculinities Through the Eye of the Needle". The talk can be listened to below.

Peace, Economics and Education Discussion

Tom O’Neill, Marty Meehan, Brandon Hamber,  Adrian Johnson (IFI)

Great session this morning focusing on Peace, Economics and Education with Marty Meehan, former Congressman and now President of University of Massachusetts Lowell. Also fantastic to see Tom O’Neill and Adrian Johnson (IFI) supporters of INCORE. The event was part of the Donegal County Council Tip O'Neill Diaspora Awards.