Invitation and Call for Papers for "Environmental Peacebuilding: Prospects for the Asia-Pacific Region"

Jun 30, 2021 | University of Melbourne, CDA Collaborative Learning Project, Environmental Peacebuilding Association, and Murdoch University
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The confluence of drastic environmental change, fragility and conflict in the Asia-Pacific region demands a rethinking of existing approaches to development, security, and peacebuilding.  The region is home to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Myanmar, ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, and rising tensions between China and its neighbours. Eleven countries in the Asia-Pacific are classified as Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations, eight of which are low-lying island states. Climate change-induced sea-level rise, increased intensity and frequency of disasters, and ocean warming present profound challenges for this region. In combination with mining, water scarcity and soil erosion, they can exacerbate fragility and potentially feed into violent conflict. Furthermore, fragility limits adaptive capacities, that is, the abilities of communities to prepare for and cope with environmental stress and disasters.

Climate change and environmental stress are increasingly being described as a ‘threat-multiplier’, causing under-development, violent conflict and migration. Climate-fragility-conflict linkages will also have pervasive effects on inequality. Women, and especially marginalized women, who are already discriminated against in terms of resource ownership and are rendered most vulnerable by conflict, are predicted to be further marginalized as resource competition grows. Climate action, mostly conducted without considerations for conflict dynamics, already contributes to local-level conflict in the Asia-Pacific. This demonstrates the urgent need to incorporate environmental and climate considerations into peacebuilding efforts, and to design climate action measures in a conflict-sensitive way.

Environmental peacebuilding recognises these insights and simultaneously provides a more positive and forward-looking alternative to environmental-conflict narratives. Environmental peacemaking points towards positive feedback effects between sustainable environmental management, the realisation of mutual benefits, increased trust and understanding, better livelihoods, enhanced capacity to manage conflicts for a more peaceful society. As such, environmental peacebuilding offers a framework for systemic and constructive approaches to facilitating peace and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific. Facing fragility and tremendous environmental challenges, but also building on longstanding and rich experiences of conflict transformation, reconciliation and environmental management, the Asia-Pacific has much to contribute and gain from this discussion.

The purpose of this event is to convene researchers, analysts, practitioners, politicians and activists in or on the Asia-Pacific to share, reflect and connect around prospects for environmental peacebuilding. The conference will involve two consecutive half-days including presentations, interactive sessions, discussions and networking. The conference will include brief and dynamic 10-15 minute presentations with time for questions and discussion. The sessions will fall into the three broad themes of:

  • Climate change and security
  • Resources, power and conflict
  • Conflict transformation and environmental peacebuilding

In addition to reflecting and learning through presentations, there will be opportunities for interactive, unconferenced discussions and breakout networking.

Presenting and attending

The organisers welcome proposals for presentations on the above themes. If you are interested in presenting, please submit an abstract for consideration to Nathan Bond by 31 August 2021.

Registration for attendees is essential and free of charge by following the 'Book now' link to the left. Registrations are now open, with the exact times for each half-day to be confirmed closer to the dates.

Registered participants are eligible for a discount on their first year of membership with the Environmental Peacebuilding Association (five months free, for new members only). To take advantage of this offer, please write to the Association's memberships email address.

Recommended background reading for participants is as follows:

About the organisers

The Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with key actors in environmental peacebuilding (CDA Collaborative Learning Projects,  the Environmental Peacebuilding Association and Murdoch University) will convene a diverse set of scholars, practitioners, civil society and government actors to discuss the potential for environmental peacebuilding for the Asia-Pacific region. The Initiative for Peacebuilding conference organisers include Dr Tobias Ide, Dr Siad Darwish, Dr Tania Miletic, Professor John Langmore and Dr Nathan Bond.

The conference on Environmental Peacebuilding in Asia-Pacific that will take place on Wednesday 17th November and Thursday 18th November 2021.