Transition from Violence: Lessons from the MENA Region

Violence and the widespread public desire to transition from violence has been a major concern in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region for many Years. More recently, the pandemic has increased the level of misery and dislocation in the MENA region amid fears that desperate current circumstances may trigger more violence. At the same time, the pandemic crisis may also present new opportunities for a more peaceful future in the MENA region and even a more hopeful model for the rest of the world.

To discuss these risks and opportunities, the Fondation Maison de Sciences de l’Homme is launching #IPEVLIVE, a series of eight live conversations as part of IPEV - International Panel on Exiting Violence.

Distinguished scholars and representatives of international organisations and civil society will share their findings, research goals and recommendations designed to enable a transition from violence, during one-hour conversations revolving around 3 main themes:

1. The long tail of the Arab Spring and its unresolved root causes

May 18 | Navigating the Transition from Violent Radicalization in the Context of Autocracy
May 25 | Listening to Women in the MENA Region Before and After the Arab Spring
June 1^st | Arab Uprisings: The Evolution of Arab Society

2. The MENA region post Covid-19

June 8 | The Pandemic as a Magnifying Glass: What Conditions that Prevent Ending Violence Can We Now See More Clearly?
June 15 | Seizing the Opportunities Created by the Pandemic Crisis: Exploring the Emergence in the MENA Region of New Models of Governance and Leadership

3. Perspectives from the MENA region on future opportunities to exit violence

June 22 | Extending the Reach of Institutions and Influences that Reduce Violence in the MENA Region: Capacity Building at Scale ?
June 29 | The Uses and Abuses of Memory: Case Study Palestine and Israel // Closing discussions

This series of online conversations will be moderated by Hal Plotkin, an American journalist and broadcaster and a former Senior Policy Advisor in the administration of the U.S. President Barack Obama. Attendees will be encouraged to participate by asking questions.

Join us for #IPEVLive!

• "Young Palestinians in Lebanon face discrimination from all sides" (ENG), The Conversation, 18 juillet 2021
• "Quel avenir pour les États du Moyen-Orient ?" (FR), The Conversation, 5 août 2021