Dear Friend,

News from the Initiative for Peacebuilding

2024 continues to be a transformative year for the Initiative for Peacebuilding, with several exciting events, publications and significant growth in our research, engagement and learning streams. 

Preparations for the UN Summit of the Future

In preparation for the UN Summit of the Future in September, the Initiative for Peacebuilding has developed a series of briefing papers on the following six issues on the Summit Agenda.

The briefs, listed below, can be accessed on the Initiative's website. 

1. Impunity, Accountability and Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law by Professor Erika Feller AO FAIIA
2. Luck Is Not a Strategy: It’s Time to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons by Gem Romuld, Tilman Ruff AO and Melissa Parke
3. Rising to the Challenge: How Australia can Help Strengthen the UN Peacebuilding Commission by Russell Rollason AM, Adrian Morrice, Simon Richards and Jacob Berah
4. Transform or Die: The Case for Reforming the UN Security Council by John Langmore AM and Ramesh Thakur
5. Strengthening Australian Diplomacy by John Langmore AM, Dr Tania Miletic and Dr David Richardson
6. Autonomous Weapons Must be Controlled Urgently by Matilda Byrne

In collaboration with the UN Association of Australia and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (ACT), the Initiative for Peacebuilding is hosting a roundtable discussion to present and discuss the briefing papers, to advocate recommendations to Government, and to provide an opportunity for all present to discuss Australia's participation in the UN Summit of the Future.

The roundtable will be a hybrid event held between 9am and 4:30pm on 6 August at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Blackall Street, Barton ACT, and streamed online via Zoom.

Upcoming Events

Join us online on Monday 5 August from 1-2pm AEST with Shadi Rouhshahbaz in conversation with Dr Tania Miletic about Iranian women peacebuilders and intergenerational peace leadership. 

When: Monday 5 August from 1-2pm AEST

Bookings: please book your free ticket here. 

Recordings from Peacebuilding Perspectives Conversations from earlier this year are available to watch on our website. 

Conflict Transformation in Myanmar

The Initiative for Peacebuilding and Myanmar Research Network were honoured to co-host a student visit and public seminar on Myanmar’s Future with Union Minister of Foreign Affairs​ H.E. Daw Zin Mar Aung, National Unity Government, on Thursday 27th June 2024.

Her Excellency spoke about her hopes for Myanmar and the challenges it faces in the struggle towards the return of democratic rule. Former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans was in attendance and provided a thoughtful response to Her Excellency. You can watch a recording of the seminar here. 

Staffing

We are delighted to welcome Akuc Deng to the team as a Research Assistant. Akuc has a strong background in academic research and community engagement, having previously worked as a Community Researcher at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and will be working across several of the Initiative's projects until the end of the year. 

We invite you to familiarise yourself with the diverse and rich range of Research Affiliates who are developing research collaborations with the Initiative. Please visit our website to see more, and to stay up to date with more exciting staffing announcements to come. 

Supporting the Initiative

We welcome new subscribers to this newsletter and fostering connections amongst our networks.

We are extremely appreciative of the financial support received by the Initiative to date. 

If you are interested in making a gift, please click below.