1 st Corridors Young Researchers Workshop, 3 – 9 September 2017, Germany

1 st Corridors Young Researchers Workshop

Obstacles and Opportunities for Dialogue and Cooperation in Protracted Conflicts.

September 3 – 9, 2017, Regenstauf (Germany)

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

The crisis in Ukraine has brought to the forefront the issue of unresolved territorial conflicts in the post-Soviet space. Those protracted conflicts around Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria are complex and run on different levels. All of them have their own local, regional and international dynamics, which change over time and interact with each other. Most of them are influenced by, and are themselves influencing, the international level – either directly or indirectly. However, little is known about the complex interdependencies between the different levels of conflict.

Protracted conflicts continue on different scales and challenge domestic and international actors in multiple ways. They struggle to find adequate answers to the various security, economic and social challenges around those conflicts. So far, the track record of successful mediation has been rather limited and various initiatives have come to a standstill. Protracted conflicts constrain the room for dialogue and cooperation between the societies affected. Strong deterioration of the political environment, competing legal frameworks, mutual zerosum thinking, and great power rivalries limit the social and political acceptance of dialogue initiatives and restrict the room of manoeuvre for actors involved.

The 1 st Corridors Young Researchers Workshop strives to deepen our understanding of the complex conflict structures, dynamics and interdependencies to explore the Obstacles and Opportunities for Dialogue and Cooperation in Protracted Conflicts. The workshop will bring together 18 young academics and graduates from the regions affected from protracted conflicts and international experts in the field of conflict studies and dialogue. In a comparative perspective, the aim isto combine first-hand research with international expertise to enhance knowledge transfer and bring up new ideas. After the workshop a publication will draw together findings of the presentations and discussions for further use.

Objective

Corridorsis an initiative founded 2016 at the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS) Regensburg that aims to foster “Dialogue through Cooperation” between societies affected by protracted conflicts in the post-Soviet space. We develop and implement projects that enhance knowledge transfer and create new opportunities for direct people-topeople contact over the divide. In a cross-regional framework we intent to facilitate cooperation between academic and civil society stakeholders to revitalize dialogue between communities. Corridors aims to enhance knowledge and understanding about the context and dynamics around protracted conflicts in the regions and on international level. Combining the expertise of various academic fields and the knowledge from different conflict affected regions, we strive to bring up new ideas to break away from the perpetuated conflict cycle.

Workshop participants

The workshop is open for up to 18 graduates, PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers from Georgia/Abkhazia, Moldova/Transnistria, Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Germany from the field of peace and conflict studies, international relations, sociology, and neighbouring disciplines. Participants will have the opportunity to present and discuss their research with their peers and receive feedback from senior international scholars. The project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and implemented at the IOS. The organizers cover all workshop related costs including travel, accommodation and full board for the selected participants.

Applications

Abstract of paper proposals of no more than 1.000 words on issues closely related to the theme “Obstacles and Opportunities for Dialogue and Cooperation in Protracted Conflicts”. Topics may include:

- Conflict structures, perceptions and narratives

- Interdependencies between domestic and international conflict dynamics

- Secession, de facto statehood and patronage

- Bilateral and regional cooperation over the divide

- International organisations and conflict management

- Opportunities and limits for track two and three initiatives in conflict mediation

- Dilemmas for domestic and international actors in dialogue

Please send the abstract together with a CV and a short letter of motivation to Sebastian Relitz (relitz@ios-regensburg.de) and Frederik Lange (lange@ios-regensburg.de) no later than June 30, 2017. For further information Sebastian Relitz Research Associate Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies Email: relitz@ios-regensburg.de Program Director Corridors www.opencorridors.de

For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.

1 st Corridors Young Researchers Workshop, 3 – 9 September 2017, Germany

Deadline:

June 30, 2017

Disciplines:

Conflict Studies, Peace Studies, Political Sciences