-What influenced your decision to choose University of Kent for your studies?

From an early age, I recognized my passion and interest for engaging actively in public affairs and directing my knowledge and enthusiasm towards the improvement of both society and my homeland. This realisation guided my decision to study Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cyprus and throughout my studies, my research focus naturally gravitated towards the international dimension of the Cyprus problem, along with broader issues of International and European law and Human Rights. Consequently, my pursuit of postgraduate studies in International Relations and European Studies represented the extension of my undergraduate studies and marked a significant advancement in my academic specialisation in these subjects. After thoroughly exploring my options, I found the program offered by the University of Kent and its curriculum, to be comprehensive and academically intriguing, within an institution of excellent reputation and highly capable academic staff. Reflecting on my academic path, I remain very satisfied and grateful of my personal choice, and the time I spent at Kent certainly remains one of my best memories.

-What did you enjoy the most from your time at the University of Kent?

My time spent at the University of Kent was unarguably an eye-opening experience that broaden my horizons, both academically and on a personal level, significantly shaping the individual I am today. One of the most interesting aspects was being immersed in an international setting, providing me with the chance to engage in discussions and interactions with individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, whereas I also had my first opportunity to represent my culture and articulate the perspectives of my country abroad. From an academic standpoint, following political analyses from various viewpoints within a rigorous scientific framework has proven extremely useful in my subsequent political career. Ultimately, I could not overlook the historical charm and allure of the city of Canterbury, which added an extra layer of richness to my overall experience.

-How did your university experience shape your political views?

Universities serve as points for knowledge acquisition and interpersonal engagement. In this context, my academic experience has endowed me with a solid academic foundation in international issues and conflicts and also equipped me with the essential skills for conflict resolution by employing diplomatic and legal tools grounded in constructive dialogue. Furthermore, my studies delved into the dynamic and progressive evolution of European Union policies and institutions as they stand today. However, the university setting equally presents a distinctive platform for students to engage in the exchange of diverse perspectives and opinions. In this light, I believe that each student should embody the role of an “ambassador,” representing the values of their country within this diverse environment. The dual emphasis on academic knowledge and cultural exchange has played a considerable role in shaping my political views, especially as it concerns my firm commitment in the promotion of human rights, the eradication of gender stereotypes, the empowerment of active citizenship, the strengthening of parliamentary diplomacy and assuredly the pursue for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

-How did your university network support or influence your political journey?

After completing my studies, I opted to continue working in the university environment as a Public Relations Officer and a lecturer in International Relations. This decision underscores my appreciation for and endorsement of post-academic initiatives and networks within universities. I recognize the value these networks contribute, particularly in terms of enhancing graduates’ employability and fostering connections. It’s important to note, however, that holding an official political position, such as a parliamentarian role, is distinct from traditional employment. In such a capacity, elected officials are duty-bound to serve the state and the electorate to the best of their abilities. Consequently, I have not personally leveraged any university network for the advancement of my political journey. My commitment to public service is grounded in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to me by the people who elected me, separate from university affiliations, which I now support through my institutional capacity as President of the Cyprus Parliament.

-What advice would you give to current students and in particular female students who are interested in pursuing a career in politics?

As previously highlighted, a political career cannot be considered as a conventional occupation or a traditional profession; rather, it should emanate from an intrinsic desire to instigate positive change and devote time and effort to societal betterment. Such a commitment aligns with an individual’s beliefs and vision but it always remains subject to endorsement or rejection by the people’s vote.

In light of this reality, I strongly encourage the younger generation to actively participate in politics and public affairs, urging them to raise their voices and express their opinions. The inclusion of women in decision-making spheres is not an idealistic notion but an essential prerequisite for a democracy, thus gender should never be perceived as a hindrance to progress in any political trajectory. Therefore, I appeal to women to shatter glass ceilings and aspire towards the seemingly unattainable, recognizing that such endeavors ultimately serve democracy and society at large.

 -In your opinion how can universities better support and empower female students who are interested in public service?

The experiences and knowledge gained during university education are indelibly imprinted in the consciousness and memories of students. In my perspective, universities, along with the entire educational sector at all levels, play a pivotal role as catalysts for women’s empowerment and the eradication of various forms of social inequalities. it is therefore essential for academic institutions to serve as exemplars by actively promoting equality through their activities and educational materials. This entails cultivating an inclusive environment that champions gender equality and emphasizes the significance of diverse perspectives and continue taking deliberate steps to promote female role models, ensuring their visibility and recognition in various fields of study, particularly those related to public service.

• Looking back, how do you perceive your growth and development from a student to a public figure?

From my student years to the present, where I serve as the President of the House of Representatives, much has changed in my daily life, and perhaps even in my personality. However, one characteristic has remained unchanged: my unwavering commitment to vocalize and defend my beliefs, principles, and universal values. It has been a continuous struggle to succeed and articulate a political stance on everything I stand for, emphasizing the importance of dreaming, advocating and fighting for a better future – for all of us.

Source: Institute of Integrated Transitions

Already in her time as a student, Coronel-Ferrer was involved in civil society and campaigned for human rights and peace, at that time still in an underground movement against the Marcos dictatorship. After the dictatorship was brought down in 1986, in the following years she founded, among other things, the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines and worked as director of the human rights organisation CARHRIHL on the Philippine National Actions Plan (PNAP). The PNAP is an effort by the Philippines to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR) on the inclusion of women in the field of peace and security. The Bangsamoro peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) took place from 2010 to 2016 and addressed the territorial and political rights of the Muslim minority. In 2012 Coronel-Ferrer became the chief negotiator for the government and signed the Bangsamoro peace agreement with the opposing negotiators in 2014.

Bringing two parties who are in a protracted conflict to the negotiating table is no easy task. Coronel-Ferrer describes that one of the biggest challenges in the Bangsamoro negotiations was to create a trustful and confiding environment. Due to failed peace negotiations before, there was a lot of scepticism and frustration and personal relationships and trust had to be rebuilt: “it was very important for the President to make symbolic acts and positive statements to show his commitment to the process. […] For example, we greeted them on their birthdays and brought them chocolates on Valentine’s Day.” At the negotiating table, different methods were used to make it less formal. In addition to casual conversations during the breaks, important topics “had to be discussed in smaller groups and not in the bigger plenary.” In this way, it was possible to address the core interests of both sides.

Whether in the plenary or smaller group meetings, the negotiators are particularly responsible for the success of negotiations. But what does it mean to be a good negotiator?

Coronel-Ferrer elaborates that a negotiator needs to “have a good understanding of the nature of the problem as well as of the nature of grievances and the right kind of sensitivity to the grievances”. Thus, next to analytical, technical and intellectual skills for instance in law-making, negotiators should possess emotional intelligence. “There is a big need for understanding the problem and to have a lot of sensitivity for where they’re coming from. And where they’re coming from also includes their culture, their religion, not just the ideology, not just the revolutionary history, but also their folk culture […]” To be able to understand the grievances of the opposing negotiating team and find common ground, it is essential to know about the origins and nature of the conflict and the past.

Personal qualities such as empathy, persuasiveness, perseverance, and resilience are also important. Coronel-Ferrer reports that during the negotiations, there was a lot of public pressure, criticism and resistance.  Accusations like “Why are you sleeping with the enemy?” and “she’s giving away the country, she is betraying the people” as well as other offending comments and threats accompanied her work through the time of the negotiations. By saying “I suppose men would get something similar like that, but there’s always that kind of a sexist undertone to this kind of feedback”, Coronel-Ferrer emphasises how her gender played a decisive role in the criticism and hatred she received.

However, it is very essential to involve more women in peace processes. “[W]e do need women to be visible in the process so that women’s issues are not taken for granted or simply disregarded “. Especially when talking about gender mainstreaming and issues that directly affect women, only women have the necessary perseverance. In the Bangsamoro peace negotiations, for example, it was possible to convince the MILF to include women in their delegation. Precisely because the government delegation was led by Coronel-Ferrer as a woman, this interest could be convincingly negotiated. Moreover, by including women in the negotiation more female-dominated networks will automatically be connected to the process and the constituency behind grows.

“[T]here are a lot of capable women […] who can lead the process if only they were given the chance. Unfortunately, most of the time the opportunities are given to men because most of the time it’s also men doing the appointing and their own social networks are dominated by men”. In her further argumentation, Coronel-Ferrer refers directly to the field of peace and security: Especially the military, religious institutions, bureaucracy and politics are still dominated by men. She concludes, “[w]e’re still at that stage, where we have to prove that we can”. Of course, “just as it cannot be any woman, it cannot be any man” – having the necessary skills to be a good negotiator does matter.

With her work, Coronel-Ferrer has proven that she personally possesses the necessary skills to work in the field of peace and security. Furthermore, she showed that there are capable women who can lead peace negotiations and mediation. Even though structural changes in terms of women’s participation in peace processes are slow, Coronel-Ferrer encourages further engagement among women: “Many of us come from civil society, we started at the local level, at the university, school, or whatever setting we were in. But we rose through the ranks because of our own work. And I think that those who have achieved that should also push up the women on the ground who are doing all these really wonderful things under very difficult conditions and circumstances”. Coronel-Ferrer is a pioneer and role model for many women. Her experiences and successes show the advantages of inclusive and diverse peace processes and are a motivation for women to further engage in this field.

Professor Coronel-Ferrer negotiated on behalf of the government of the Philippines the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. She is the first female chief negotiator in the world to sign a final peace accord with a rebel group and a graduate herself of the University of Kent.

Miriam Mandel

Wednesday 23rd November 14:00, Keynes Lecture Theatre 5

Dr. Tareq Sydiq is a research fellow at the Center for Conflict Studies Marburg. He has worked in German, Iran and Japan and is interested in protests and political interests in authoritarian contexts. His research includes questions of generational dynamics and diasporic/international influence on protest movements. His dissertation on authoritarian interest negotiations in Iran was published this year. Currently, he is coordinating the research network “Postcolonial Hierarchies in Peace and Conflict”

This conference seeks to address this gap by exploring these contested ideas through a gendered lens. The focus will be on ‘bringing gender back in’ to discourses on migration that centre on the theme of citizenship, identity and belonging and how these continue to be re-defined and re-negotiated in the global South and the global North.

The project will have relevance for not only feminist scholars who work on the global South, but policy-makers at regional and international levels as well.

Please register here:

Date and time

09:00hrs- 09:15hrs: Welcome & Introduction

09:15hrs- 10:00hrs: Spotlighting young and emerging scholars- Talk by Dr. Kudakwashe Vanyoro (Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the African Centre for Migration and Society (ACMS), University of the Witwatersrand)

Kudakwashe Vanyoro is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), University of the Witwatersrand, in South Africa interested in migration, temporality, borders, humanitarianism and governance in Africa. His essay Decolonising Migration Research and Practice as Engagement in and with Time won the 2021 Mixed Migration Centre Alternative Voices Competition Prize for writers under 30.

10:00hrs- 11:30hrs: Panel 1- Intersectional Perspectives: Gender, Religion, and Migration

Panellists:

Dr. Rachel Larkin (University of Kent, Canterbury)- ‘Girls navigating girlhood in youth migration’

Dr. Sophia Chirongoma and Professor Ezra Chitando (University of Zimbabwe)- ‘On a wing and a prayer: faith as a resource in Zimbabwean women’s journeys of hope’

Ms. Glory Oluwaseun (University of Kent, Canterbury)- ‘Faith the foundation and the filter: the ambivalent relationship between faith, culture and feminism in the lives of Nigerian women living in Britain’

11:30hrs- 13:00hrs: Panel 2- The Plight of Women: Trafficking, Slavery, and Economic Refugees

Panellists:

Ms. Judith Onwubiko (University of Kent, Canterbury)- ‘Engendered push factors of human trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria’

Dr. Lucy Williams (University of Kent, Brussels)- ‘Challenging the construction of women as victims of trafficking, smuggling and slavery- lessons from African Women in Turkey’

13:00hrs-13:30hrs: LUNCH BREAK

13:30hrs-15:00hrs: Panel 3- The Two-Pronged Role of Migration in Re-Defining Citizenship, Subjecthood and Belonging through A Gendered Lens

Panellists:

Dr. Kuzi Zigomo (University of Kent, Canterbury)- ‘Transnational Pentecostalism, political femininities and citizenship in Zimbabwe’

Dr. Henrietta Nyamnjoh (University of Cape Town, South Africa)- ‘Truncated belonging in times of marital crisis among the Ethiopian female migrants in South Africa’

15:00hrs-16:30hrs: Panel 4- Opportunities for (Re)-Engagement: International Legislation, Policy-Making, and Humanitarian Intervention

Panellists:

Ms. Hazel Ebenezer (University of Kent, Brussels)- ‘Dowry and Dowry-Based Violence in India and Indian Diasporas’

Professor Yutaka Arai-Takahashi (University of Kent, Brussels)- ‘Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against African refugees and migrants in Libyan detention centres- critiques of how the International Criminal Court has been overlooking gendered and intersectional dimensions of crimes against humanity’

16:30hrs-16:45hrs: Concluding Remarks & Next Steps!

Ugli orange simulation

Trainers: Professor Betül Çelik (Sabanci University) and Professor Neophytos Loizides (University of Kent)

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Meeting ID: 698 003 0236

Thursday  25^th November

9:10-9:15  Neophytos Loizides  Welcome and Introductions

9:15- 9:45 Bizuneh Yimenu ‘Implementing Federalism in a Developing Country: The Case of Ethiopia, 1995-2020’

9:45- 10:15 Alex Ntung, ‘The Hamitic hypothesis and the ‘Bantu race’ myth: drivers of the Rwandan genocide ideology and constructions of ethnic hatred in Africa’s Great Lakes region

10:15- 10:45 Kuziwakwashe Zigomo ‘Pentecostalism, Political Femininities, and Citizenship/Democratisation in Zimbabwe’

Coffee Break 10:45-11:00

11:00- 12:00  Josephine Sanny, Using Afrobarometer for Research and Teaching (Masterclass)

12:00 1:00 Lunch Break

1:00-1:30  Joshua Akintayo  Sex Trafficking and Sex-for-Money: Terrorism and Conflict-related Sexual Violence against Men in North-eastern Nigeria. 

1:30 – 2: 00 Nadine Ansorg ‘What determines Trust in Post-Conflict Police? Evidence from Latin American and African countries’

2:00:3:00 Annual John Burton Lecture by E. Gyimah-Boadi, Afrobarometer co-founder and current board chair; co-founder and former executive director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana); retired professor, political science department, University of Ghana, Legon

Democracy backsliding in West Africa: why it represents a threat to the region’s stability and prosperity; and what to do about it.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, many West African nations embarked on democratization projects. They promulgated new constitutions and or amended existing ones to provide for some degree of independence for the judiciary and election management bodies; imposed constitutional limits on presidential tenure; relaxed restrictions on speech, associational and media freedoms; and allowed multi-party competition. The lecture explores the linkage between democratic governance progress across the ECOWAS region in the first decade and a half of the new century and the region’s relative political stability and economic prosperity within the same period. It also reflects on implications of the democratic governance backsliding taking place in countries of the region in recent years for the region’s overall peace, stability and socio-economic development in the 2020s. And makes recommendations for arresting the growing problem of democratic recession and related political turmoil and decelerating economic growth.

3:00-3:30 Break

3:30- 4:30 Roundtable on current projects and future funding possibilities

Anastasia Shesterinina, Civil War Paths Project (funded by UKRI FLF)

Edward Morgan-Jones, “Citizen Preferences in the Design of Effective Peace Settlement” (funded by US Institute of Peace)

Special thanks to the US Institute of Peace funded  Project Citizen Preferences in the Design of Effective Peace Settlements for supporting this event

September 29th, 15:00- 16:00 BST

Location: Online via teams, please click for link here

Further information

T: 01227 827457
Email: n.loizides@kent.ac.uk

Organized by the Conflict Analysis Research Centre (CARC), the Global Europe Centre (GEC) at the University of Kent and the Center for Conflict Studies at the University of Marburg

Professor Neophytos Loizides will introduce Professor Cochrane and his book, welcoming attendees to the virtual event and overseeing the discussion and later Q&A. The event is free and open to all.

The virtual book launch can be accessed at:

Topic: Northern Ireland: The Fragile Peace
Time: May 11, 2021 02:00 PM London

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Meeting ID: 845 5515 9368
Passcode: 507407

Feargal Cochrane is Emeritus Professor of International Conflict Analysis in Kent’s School of Politics and International Relations. He is the author of several books including ‘Breaking Peace’ (Manchester University Press, 2020) and ‘Migration and Security in the Global Age’ (Routledge, 2015), in addition to this updated version of a book previously published as ‘The Reluctant Peace’ (Yale Scholarship Online, 2013). ‘The Fragile Peace’ contains the complete history of Northern Ireland from the Irish Civil War to Brexit and has now been updated to coincide with the nation’s centenary.

In his book, Professor Cochrane considers the region’s troubled history from the struggle for Irish independence in the nineteenth century to the present. Fully revised and updated, new chapters cover the reasons for the suspension of devolved government at Stormont in 2017 and its restoration in 2020, and the consequences for Northern Ireland of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Professor Cochrane argues that Brexit represents the biggest threat to the continued existence of Northern Ireland since Ireland was partitioned in 1921. As a complete account of the region’s 100-year history, this book is essential reading to understand the present dimensions of the Northern Irish conflict.

The Conflict Analysis Research Centre (CARC) is a multi-disciplinary Faculty Research Centre based in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent. CARC looks to be at the centre of developing original theory and conflict analysis, undertaking international research in the broad areas of peace, conflict, security and human rights and building partnerships with policy and practitioner communities.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the premier forum for political dialogue in the region and has played an essential role in peace building and conflict resolution in its member States. For our annual John Burton Lecture, Magdalena Talamas, OAS Director for the Department for the Promotion of Peace, will share unique insights into a successful peace process that was facilitated under OAS auspices. Prior to her current position, Ms. Talamas served as the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the OAS for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, the first of few females to receive this distinction at the OAS. She also oversaw for more than a decade the Belize-Guatemala Civilian Peace-Keeping Mission on the ground and managed the OAS Peace Fund, the latter still under her purview.

Our annual Conflict Analysis Research Centre lecture commemorates the late John Burton, a former member of CARC who played a pivotal role in the development of peace and conflict studies .The purpose of the lecture series is to invite leading global figures in the field including academics, practitioners, journalists and leading voices from across civil society to engage a wide audience with a major theme in conflict analysis. Ms Talamas will be presenting the JB lecture followed by commentaries from Nadine Ansorg (University of Kent) and Maria Hadjipavlou (University of Cyprus).

THE 2021 JOHN BURTON ANNUAL LECTURE
Date and time: March 18th , 16:00 London time
Join Zoom Meeting: 897 3151 3008
Passcode: 154562

For more info please contact Professor Neophytos Loizides at n.loizides@kent.ac.uk

Kent has a long tradition on comparative research on mediation practice and conflict regulation. The Conflict Analysis Research Centre (CARC)  was established over 35 years ago and is today world leading in its sub-discipline bringing together more than 20 permanent staff. CARC has grown significantly in size and scope in the past few years deepening its long-standing expertise in conflict analysis and resolution, and applying conflict research to real-world situation as well as setting new standards in professional training and mediation practices of NGOs, development agencies and intergovernmental bodies. The 2021 annual  John Burton Lecture is part of High Level Mediation Training of diplomatic missions in the  Americas in partnership with OAS and the Forum of Federations.

March 18-19 (9:15 EST to  4:45 EST)

Welcome:

Karen Cox, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the University of Kent

Luis Almagro OAS Secretary General

Rupak Chattopadhyay President and CEO of the Forum of Federations

Chair: Neophytos Loizides, Director of the Conflict Analysis Research Centre (CARC), University of Kent

Day 1 (morning) Intro & main principles of negotiation:

What mediation can do for you? (Heineken Apart Ad)

Gender and negotiations

Thinking outside the box (nine dots and other mini-exercises)

Cafe Diplomatico simulation

Fair trade regime (multi-phase/ reiterated prisoner’s dilemma)

12:00-1:00 EST (4:00-5.00 pm Canterbury)

Annual John Burton Lecture by Magdalena Talamas (OAS, Department for the Promotion of Peace)

(the keynote is open to the students and the public please see login info here) 

Lunch Break: 1:00-2:00 EST

Day 1 (afternoon) Becoming a skilled negotiator/ interactive simulations:

BATNA (negotiating a new house purchase simulation)

Negotiating a federal constitution/gender quotas  (multi-issue, multi-party, multi-universe simulation)

Auction of 10 pound note

Becoming a Good Listener & Let’s Vote video (discussion)

Ugli orange simulation

Discussion of ‘What is a good mediator?’ (Martti Ahtisaari video)

Day 2 (morning) Concepts and Methods:

Inclusive Mediation

Linkages and trade-offs (what drives public support in peace settlements?)

Federalism and Decentralization

Beyond western concepts of mediation

What do large cross-national data tell us about conflict management

Lunch Break: 12:15-1:15 EST

Day 2 (afternoon) Case studies:

Sri Lanka (When power-sharing mediations fail)

Mali (a multiparty conflict caught in the War against terror)

Northern Ireland  (d’Hondt formula)

Cyprus (UN’s meditration vs. mediation-lite)

Conclusions & Next Steps

Workshop coordinators:

Diana Chebenova (Forum of Federations)

Neophytos Loizides (University of Kent)

Magdalena Talamas (Organization of American States)

Liam Whittington (Forum of Federations)

Participating presenters/trainers :

Nadine Ansorg (University of Kent)

Theresa Bachmann (University of Kent)

Rupak Chattopadhyay (Forum of Federations)

Esra Cuhadar (United States institute of Peace)

Yvan Guichaoua (BSIS/University of Kent)

Clayton Govinda (ETH Zürich)

Andrea Hartmann-Piraudeau (Consensus Group)

Neophytos Loizides (University of Kent)

John McGarry (Queen’s University Kingston)

Edward Morgan-Jones (University of Kent)

Christina Murray (UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs)

Duygu Ozaltin (SOAS/University of Kent)

Raluca Popp (University of Kent)

Magdalena Talamas (OAS)

Harmonie Toros (University of Kent)