As various peace activists and scholars, we discussed various visions and practice of bringing change to contested spaces of Belfast, Jerusalem, Nicosia and Sarajevo.
I would like to thank the Davis Institute for International Relations of the Hebrew University and the Center for Regional Initiatives (IPCRI), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Ireland Palestine Representatives for this amazing conference. Equal representation is always challenging in the contested cities; but a unified future can only be shaped with such initiatives.
OVERVIEW
Since 2017, the Davis Institute for International Relations from the Hebrew University and the Center for Regional Initiatives (IPCRI) have been engaged in a project aimed at building shared visions for Jerusalem. In this project and with the support of the EU Peacebuilding Initiative, local residents from diverse communities from across Jerusalem engaged in mapping local needs and designing their visions for the future of the city.
As complementary to this work, IPCRI organized in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Irish Aid delegations of experts and civil society leaders from Jerusalem to other contested cities such as Belfast, Nicosia and Sarajevo. These delegations focused on the reality of cities in conflict and highlighted the lessons that can be learned from other conflicts.
This conference aims to present the outcomes of both projects. In the first part of this conference, scholars will present policy recommendations designed by local residents and will receive input from experts from other contested cities. Following this part, we will host panels and workshops focusing on the practice of bringing change to contested spaces. From urban planning through shared education and equal representation, we aim to present a comprehensive vision towards the future of those cities in conflict.
This was made possible in partnership and with the support of :
C E R E N B O G A C 