The thematic panel titled Geographies of Peace, held within the framework of the EUPRA2024 Conference organized by the European Peace Research Association in Pisa, provided a critical and multidimensional platform to explore the diversity of approaches and practices for peace in global contexts. This panel underscored both local peacebuilding initiatives and the contributions of academic research in territories and situations characterized by significant geopolitical complexity.
With a broad and interdisciplinary perspective, the panel facilitated discussions on how peace emerges as a global imperative that requires diverse approaches, particularly in regions shaped by historical conflicts, structural inequalities, and forced displacements. The presentations highlighted the need to build bridges between distant but interconnected experiences in the pursuit of justice and reconciliation.
The first presentation, Dismantling the MONUSCO: Decolonial Praxis in North Kivu, addressed the challenges faced by the peace mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from a decolonial perspective. The analysis focused on how local communities have questioned the power dynamics imposed by international actors and proposed alternative peacebuilding approaches rooted in their worldviews and lived experiences. This study emphasized the importance of recognizing and empowering local voices in the face of global systems that often perpetuate dependency and inequality.
The second presentation, The Slow Erasure of Identity, Agency, and Episteme through Forced Displacement, explored the profound implications of forced displacement on the identity and agency of affected populations, with a particular focus on the Palestinian people. This analysis offered a critical perspective on how the structural violence perpetrated by Israel not only displaces individuals physically but also erodes their capacity to act and preserve their cultural heritage. The presentation underscored the urgency of developing peace strategies that address these intangible but critical losses, fostering resilience and collective memory.
The final presentation, "Studying Peace": The Origin and Development of Pacifism in Academic and Scientific Spaces in Spain (1975-2020), provided a historical perspective on the emergence and consolidation of peace studies in Spain. The research documented the development of this field, from its inception during the Democratic Transition to its establishment as an academic discipline in recent decades. This trajectory demonstrated how the institutionalization of peace studies has enabled not only the analysis of conflicts but also the development of concrete proposals for their peaceful resolution.
Within the framework of a congress titled Towards Utopias of Peace: Theories and Practices of Peace, Hope, and Resistance in Troubled Times, academic spaces like this panel acquire special significance. In times marked by profound global crises—armed conflicts, mass displacements, and the climate crisis—such gatherings connect experiences and research, fostering interdisciplinary dialogues that transcend borders. Beyond generating knowledge, conferences of this nature cultivate collaborative networks that amplify the impact of local initiatives, highlight inspiring cases, and reinforce hope as a driver of transformation. Their celebration reaffirms the academic community’s commitment to building a more just and peaceful world.
Taken as a whole, the Geographies of Peace panel demonstrated the importance of sharing and understanding diverse peacebuilding experiences, even when developed in distant or seemingly disconnected contexts. This exchange expands the understanding of global peace challenges, identifies shared patterns, and draws inspiration from innovative approaches. In an increasingly interconnected world, mutual knowledge and interdisciplinary collaboration emerge as essential tools for addressing contemporary conflicts and fostering sustainable peace.
Geographies of Peace Chair: Angel Iglesias Ortiz
- Judith Jordà Frias - Dismantling the MONUSCO: Decolonial Praxis in North Kivu
- Bram J. De Smet - Evicted Bodies: the Slow Erasure of Identity, Agency and Episteme through Forced Displacement
- Andrés López-Estapé - "Studying Peace". Origin and development of pacifism from academic and scientific spaces in Spain (1975-2020)