Citizenship transformations in a global world

The working groups represented the main bulk of academic debates during the conference. They were organized thematically and chaired by senior development researchers and practitioners. Please find below the key issues and findings emerging from each of the working group sessions, with the proceedings summarized by the coordinator of each working group.

Working Group 1: Aid, Fragile States and Conflict

Chair: Prof. Juhani Koponen (juhani.m.koponen[at]helsinki.fi)
Coordinator: Dr Lauri Siitonen (lauri.siitonen[at]jyu.fi) 

The working group had three sessions, each with a loose theme. The first session included three papers which looked into the role of aid in fragile’ or ‘failing’ states, with Nepal and Somalia as the case countries. In particular, the role of [...]

Working Group 2: Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Risks

Chair: Dr Irmeli Mustalahti (irmeli.mustalahti[at]helsinki.fi)
Coordinator: Ms. Lisa Marika Jokivirta (lisa.m.jokivirta[at]jyu.fi)

This working group convened over a two-day period to discuss themes of environmentally induced conflict, where climate change, livelihood and human security are directly linked. The first day was devoted to examining multi-faceted issues in climate change, including natural disasters, [...]

Working Group 3: Financial Crisis and Development

Chair: Prof. Wim Naudé (naude[at]wider.unu.edu)
Coordinator: Mr Joni Valkila (joni.valkila[at]helsinki.fi)

CANCELED

Joint Working Groups 4 on Gender Equality, Development and Peacebuilding and Working Group 5 on Integrated and Comprehensive Crisis Management

Chairs: Dr Pirjo Jukarainen (pirjo.jukarainen[at]uta.fi) and Kirsi Henriksson (kirsi.henriksson[at]cmcfinland.fi)
Coordinators: Ville-Veikko Pitkänen (ville-veikko.pitkanen[at]cmcfinland.fi) and Jari Mustonen (jari.mustonen[at]cmcfinland.fi)

The working group discussed the implementation of UNSCR 1325, particularly regarding the training of peacekeeping and peacebuilding personnel. Another major point of discussion was [...]

Working Group 6: Legal Pluralism and Human Rights

Chair: Prof. ad int Jarna Petman (jarna.petman[at]helsinki.fi)
Coordinator: Henri Onodera (henri.onodera[at]helsinki.fi)

The working group examined the various ways in which legal systems and norms, particularly the international law, are constituted and, at times, contested in Southern development contexts. The participants discussed especially the cases of Liberia and Zambia. It was contended [...]

Working Group 7: Peace Research and Development

Chair: Prof. Tuomo Melasuo (tuomo.melasuo[at]uta.fi)
Coordinator: Mr Gibril Massaquoi (gibmass[at]yahoo.com)

This working group discussed and analyzed the challenges of achieving sustainable peace and development in democratic and authoritarian regimes as well as in post-conflict environments. It was generally found that human security needs are as challenging to address in post-conflict settings as in [...]

Working Group 8: Post-conflict Management of Natural Resources

Chair: Prof. Olavi Luukkanen (olavi.luukkanen[at]helsinki.fi)
Coordinator: Dr. Mohamed Elfadl (mohamed.elfadl[at]helsinki.fi)

This working group brought together researchers and students who are interested in the sustainable use and conservation of agricultural and tree-based production systems in regions of previous or ongoing serious political conflicts, with Sudan as one special case. The participants discussed the [...]

Working Group 9: Poverty, Inequality and Human Security

Chair: Prof. Marja Järvelä (marja.jarvela[at]jyu.fi)
Coordinator: Mr Mikko Perkiö (mikko.perkio[at]uta.fi)

This working group discussed how diverse issues such as tourism, income grants, as well as informal and formal groups can improve livelihoods in various parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. A debate was held on the multiple levels of governance, for example at the [...]

Working Group 10: Renewing Peace Education

Chair: Prof. Reijo E. Heinonen (reijo.e.heinonen[at]jippii.fi)
Coordinator: Jani Lassila (jani.lassila[at]helsinki.fi)

This working group noted that national cohesion, a condition of stability, is not assimilation. Cohesion is the complementarity of diverse elements of society in mutual trust and an ethically sound sense of community, where diverse cultures and languages can thrive and prosper. In [...]

Working Group 11:  Security – Diaspora Nexus

Chair: Prof. Liisa Laakso (liisa.laakso[at]yfi.jyu.fi)
Coordinator: Ms. Päivi Pirkkalainen (paivi.pirkkalainen[at]jyu.fi)

This working group discussed a phenomenon of diaspora engagement with the countries of origin with a view of prospects and challenges. As most of the papers presented in the working group were on the empirical case of Somali diaspora engagement, the discussion was [...]

Working Group 12:  Social Movements, Civil Society and Conflicts

Chair: Dr Tomi Järvinen (tomi.jarvinen[at]worldvision.fi)
Coordinator: Mr David Korpela (david.korpela[at]jyu.fi)

This diverse working group focused on grassroots initiatives and mass movements within the context of crises and conflicts. Presentations highlighted the resilience of individual people acting collectively to bring about change, emphasizing the fact that civil society is both [...]