Dear Friend,

News from the Initiative for Peacebuilding

2024 has been a transformative year for the Initiative for Peacebuilding so far, with significant growth in our research, engagement and learning streams. 

Our team is continuing to expand. We welcomed Tess Smurthwaite, Research Development Officer, earlier this year as a coordinator for the Initiative's programs. We also welcomed Laura Raicu, who is Project Officer for the Bougainville Senior Leadership Professional Development Program (BSLPDP) late last year. 

We are thrilled to be now advertising appointments for a Level D Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies (continuing), a Senior Research Fellow (fixed-term), and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (fixed-term). The Level D will join Dr Tania Miletic as Co-Director of the Initiative. A PhD scholarship with the Initiative was also announced to commence in 2025. 

The Initiative is grateful to the University and the philanthropic generosity of Mr Allan Myers and other supporters for enabling this period of growth at a time the world is in dire need of greater peace and justice. 

Dr Tania Miletic and Laura Raicu have been busy with progressing module delivery of the BSLPDP in collaboration with PaCSIA and BWF. The BSLPDP is an Australian Government initiative led by the University of Melbourne with support from the New Zealand Government. The BSLPDP is an 18-month program that seeks to support the professional development needs of senior government officials in the areas of ethical leadership, governance, policy-making, government and public relations, public financial planning and management, and economic development. 

Catch up on events from earlier this year via our website, including a roundtable discussion at Australian Parliament House in February 2024 which was attended by past diplomatic personnel, academics and practitioners from a range of organisations. Please click here to read the report which was developed based on the discussion. 

Please see below to read about our recent and upcoming activities, and visit our website to learn more. 

Conflict Transformation in Myanmar

Since 2021 the Initiative for Peacebuilding has led research and engagement activities concerning conflict transformation in Myanmar. Please see our website for a summary of past activities. We are delighted to be co-hosting a visit from Her Excellency Union Minister for Foreign Affairs from the NUG, Daw Zin Mar Aung on the 27th of June. 

On 2 February 2024, we convened a major symposium in collaboration with the Australia Myanmar Institute, entitled Pursuing conflict transformation and peace in Myanmar. The symposium brought together Myanmar and Australian government leaders, researchers and practitioners to reflect on and further prospects for conflict transformation in Myanmar through presentations, panel discussion and participatory engagement. Please click below to see a recording of the proceedings. 

Preparations for the UN Summit of the Future

In September 2024 Australia will participate in the United Nations Summit of the Future and the people of Australia are invited to contribute ideas and suggestions for what Australia should seek to achieve through the Summit.

In partnership with other collaborators, the Initiative for Peacebuilding is planning a series of briefing papers to stimulate discussion of key issues on the agenda for the Summit with interested Australians and community organisations. Please visit our website for more information about this stream of activity. 

Upcoming Events

Join us online on Monday 17 June from 1-2pm AEST with Dr Yayah Khisbiyah in conversation with Dr Tania Miletic about the revitalisation and institutionalisation of Panacila Education in Muhammadiyah University, Indonesia.

When: Monday 17 June 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. 

Staffing

Professor John Langmore continues his contributions as Chair of the Board, and Dr Tania Miletic will continue as the Initiative's Co-Director. Professor Joseph Lo Bianco (education) and Dr Gillian Howell (music) also bring their expertise to the Initiative. 

 Tess Smurthwaite commenced earlier this year as a Research Development Officer in the Faculty of Arts, and has been working with the IfPB as a Coordinator on an 0.5 FTE basis. Russell Rollason has also joined the Initiative in an advisory capacity and will work on preparations for the UN Summit of the Future as part of the Australian foreign policy stream.

We welcome Fr Dan Madigan to the Advisory Board, and Atikah Nuraini and Dr Michael Main as Research Affiliates. 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.

Work with Us

Three newly created positions are currently open for applications, and we're looking forward to expanding our team. The new roles include:

Senior Research Fellow, Initiative for Peacebuilding

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Initiative for Peacebuilding

Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies and Co-Director, Initiative for Peacebuilding (soon to be advertised, please check the University of Melbourne's career website). 

Please share these exciting opportunities with your networks, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. 

EOIs open for a 2025 PhD Opportunity

We are also delighted to announce that expressions of interest are open for a PhD position with the IfPB to be supported by the Melbourne Research Scholarship in 2025.

Please click below for more information about this opportunity. 

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.