On September 20 and 21, 2023, the TraCe Stakeholder Workshop “Memory as a Resource in Conflict Transformation: The Role of Media and Journalists in Peacebuilding” took place in Bogotá, Colombia, at the Universidad de los Andes. The two-day event brought together international scholars and media practitioners to discuss the role of various types of media and journalists in peace consolidation processes following violent conflicts and crimes against humanity. The full program can be downloaded here.
On the evening prior to the workshop, there was a film screening of “Strangers to Peace”. Following the official welcome on the next day, Prof. Dr Anika Oettler gave a keynote speech on “Peacebuilding, transnational justice, and global mediascapes”.
The participants then discussed in three thematic panels. First, Dr Sabine Mannitz led the discussion on “Memory Work”, followed by a panel entitled “Storytelling”, moderated by Prof. Dr Jonas Wolff. Towards the end of the event, Rousbeh Legatis organized a World Café after which Prof. Dr Stefan Peters moderated the roundtable discussion “The Role of Media and Journalists in Peacebuilding” and provided closing remarks.
The aim of the stakeholder workshop was to provide a platform for the exchange of contemporary knowledge and critical reflections on the role of the media. Together, the participants reflected on journalistic practices and developed solutions for addressing the legacies of political violence.
The conference was co-funded by TraCe and the Leibniz Research Alliance “Value of the Past”. It was organized by Sonja Hegasy (Leibniz Center Modern Orient ZMO), Rousbeh Legatis (SOAS, University of London), Dr Sabine Mannitz, Prof. Dr Jonas Wolff (Peace Research Institute Frankfurt PRIF) and Prof. Dr Stefan Peters (German-Colombian Peace Institute CAPAZ).
The conference report by Rousbeh Legatis and Claudia Maya can be found here.
