| Kommentar |
Mismanagement and degradation of natural resources can be an important driver of conflict, while resource scarcity and climate change are threatening stability in many regions of the world. Against this background, environmental peacebuilding is a new approach that is on the rise to shaping environmental and peacebuilding agendas in international cooperation and research. The concept and practices integrate natural resource management in conflict prevention and management to build resilience in communities affected by conflict. How to foster multi-stakeholder cooperation and trust building in the context of environmental peacebuilding is still understudied; however crucial in post-conflict (post-accord) scenarios.
During the seminar we study how natural resource management can contribute to peacebuilding. The aim is to better understand stakeholder interactions in the context of environmental peacebuilding. Leading questions are: How can natural resource management impact peacebuilding? How should stakeholder interaction processes be set up in post-conflict environments? What barriers to communication and cooperation exist? Which tools can facilitate stakeholder interaction? What experience do practitioners have?
As a group we will design and implement a study to explore current practices of environmental peacebuilding. We will develop joined research questions, develop a research plan, carry out the research, analyze the data and decide on a format of results presentation. The idea is to incorporate direct exchange with practitioners active in environmental peacebuilding by visiting Berlin offices, inviting them to the seminar or arranging skype talks. The seminar will consist of blocks of theory, practice, and reflection in order to help us conducting the research. Participatory methods will be used throughout to facilitate joint learning processes.
The Seminar addresses students interested in natural resource management and peacebuilding. Theoretical knowledge on topics such as natural resource management, peacebuilding, participatory approaches, or communication is helpful. The seminar is open to students from various disciplines and fields, for example agricultural and environmental sciences, political science, social sciences, and psychology, but also law or philosophy (with an interest in questions on ethics or equity). The seminar is primarily aimed at Master’s students, but also open to Bachelor’s students starting from the 4th semester. Prior knowledge on social science research methods is an advantage, though a selection of methods will also be introduced in class. English will be the working language. However, if only German speakers participate, it is possible that German will be used.
In case of questions, feel free to contact: Dr. Katharina Löhr: Katharina.loehr@zalf.de |
