Research group for Peace, Conflict and Development
The threat of covid 19-related extremism
One of the more salient aspects of the current pandemic is the deep distrust in governments and elites it has exposed. In this seminar Teun van Dongen investigates this ‘resistance movement’ that opposes the Covid-19 restrictions.
Toppmøtet mellom Biden og Putin er viktig for Norge
Short comments on the Biden-Putin summit in Geneva presenting the broader background for this meeting.
ONLINE WORKSHOP: Complex Systems Research in Peace and Conflict Studies
This online research workshop will bring together scholars who have been working on complex systems research in peace and conflict studies. The purpose will be to share approaches and insights, identify commonalities and contradictions, and to develop collaborations across disciplinary boundaries.
Russian Repertoires of Power in the MENA region (RUSMENA)
The main objective of the RUSMENA project is to examine Russian power practices in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region between 2011 and 2021....
Long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic resource mobilisation in sub-Saharan Africa
Which impacts may the Covid-19 pandemic have for taxation in sub-Saharan Africa? Professor Odd-Helge Fjeldstad (CMI) will present findings from a new study at this webinar.
Environmental performance of foreign firms: Chinese and Japanese firms in Myanmar
Little is known about how the environmental approaches of foreign investors in developing countries are formed. The objective of this study is to conceptualize and investigate the drivers of the environmental performance of foreign firms. This is done through a comparative analysis of the environmental profiles of Chinese and Japanese firms in Myanmar. Applying institutional and resource-based theories, the study investigates the complex and multifaceted roles that domestic regulations and internal resources of firms play in their environmental performance. The study contributes to the literature on corporate environmental behaviour by constructing a novel set of environmental variables connected with FDI. The research is based on survey data covering 296 Chinese and 125 Japanese companies operating in Myanmar. The data are analysed using a hierarchical multiple linear regression. It is found that Japanese companies tend to adopt all-inclusive and comprehensive strategies driven by both regulatory pressure and firm capacity when addressing environmental issues, while the environmental choices of Chinese companies tend to be driven by intra-firm resources. For Chinese companies, neither ownership type nor operating in a polluting industrial sector necessarily influence the environmental profile, whereas both of these variables had significant effects on the environmental performance of Japanese firms. The findings indicate that both resource-based and institutional theories are useful when assessing the influence of environmental regulations on FDI in developing countries.
Preventing climate-related conflict: A challenge for cross-disciplinary research, policy and practice?
Technologies of Peace
This chapter examines the effects of the digital revolution and new information and communication technologies on peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The chapter is concerned with how digital and web-based information and communication technologies can be used to prevent and manage armed violence, foster inclusive societies, and ensure a durable and high-quality peace. The UN is increasingly adopting new technologies, particularly within the field of peacekeeping. To increase situational awareness, UN peacekeeping staff have crowdsourced information and used drones and satellite imagery. In addition, the analysis of peacekeeping data holds great potential for early warning. New technological tools can help foster collaboration, transform attitudes, and give a stronger voice to local communities. Online platforms have been used to monitor elections, document human rights abuses, and facilitate communication between members of different sides in a conflict. However, since one cannot simply assume that technology will change everything for the better, it is crucial to be aware of the ethical implications of the use of new peace technologies. The UN needs to be careful that early warning is translated into early action. Peacekeepers and peacebuilders should also be vigilant when it comes to mitigating the possible abuse and negative side effects of the use of peace technologies. The chapter concludes that peace technologies significantly influence the prospects for peacekeeping and peacebuilding, particularly when the use of technology helps peacekeepers and peacebuilders be more people-centric.
Cyber Capacity Building in Sub-Saharan Africa: Digital technology and development