The goal of the session held between April 29 to May 2 this year, the first in-person meeting of the Network since 2019, included collaborative workshopping among partners from the programme’s different regions to explore common themes, and discussing approaches for improved gender and social inclusion in borderland research. The event also kicked off the XCEPT Women Researchers Fellowship, providing opportunities for the fellows to develop their research ideas and make connections with senior researchers working in similar fields.

Day 1: Joint themes development

To facilitate collaboration among researchers, this session was designed to present current clusters of topics which the researchers are working on. Researchers can then share insights and potentially develop joint analysis under these three key research themes.

Theme 1: Governance in border areas
Governance in border areas involves managing the relationship between central authority and local autonomy (the center-periphery relations), ensuring that peripheral regions are integrated yet represented within the national framework. Effective governance in borderlands is crucial for fostering trust and cooperation, which are essential for stability and development. Security is a key concern, as border regions face cross-border activities such as migration, smuggling, and terrorism. Stabilisation strategies must, therefore, combine security measures with socio-economic initiatives, addressing both immediate threats and long-term needs. Regional cooperation with neighboring countries further enhances border security and stability, promoting mutual trust and collaborative development.

Presentations:  

• Pakistan/Afghanistan: Azeema Cheema, Iftikhar Firdous, Waqas Sajjad, Zia ur Rehman (Verso Consulting)
• South Sudan/Sudan and Kenya/Ethiopia/Somalia: Joseph Diing Majok and Hassan Hussein Kochore (Rift Valley Institute)
• Syria/Levant and Algeria/Morocco: Armenak Tokmajyan, Kheder Khaddour, Yasmine Zarhloule (Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center)

Theme 2: Conflict enablers
Enabling environments include systems and activities through which conflict actors gain influence and are able to acquire the resources and instruments necessary to further their interests.  Conflicts connect across borders through flows of weapons, people, resources and money, both licit and illicit. The people and networks engaged in these flows are not necessarily involved in active conflict. They are the supporting cast, but nonetheless are critical to the sustainment of conflict systems. Such enablers may include law enforcement officials who tolerate illicit activities; private sector actors, such as lorry drivers or shipyard workers, who are part of a smuggling supply chain; and ‘professional enablers’ such as accountants and lawyers, who move money and engage in services supporting illicit activities.

In studying cross-border and transnational conflict systems, research within this theme focuses on the actors and activities at the intersection of licit and illicit activities that enable and empower conflict actors. Research can address how these activities are supported by technology, which facilitates communications and allows for the movement of resources more efficiently and often without detection.

Facilitator: Mohanad Hage Ali (Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center)

Presentations:

• Somalia: Abdirahman Edle Ali (Rift Valley Institute)
• Syria/Levant: Armenak Tokmayjan and Yasmine Zarhoule (Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center)
• Myanmar/China: Hkawng Yang and M Seng Mai (Kachinland Research Centre)

Theme 3: Local knowledge
This theme explores the critical need to shift towards equitable partnerships, community-driven and participatory methodologies, ensuring that development initiatives are rooted in the lived experiences and insights of those they aim to serve. While emphasising the role of research in these efforts, it highlights the importance of creating respectable collaborations where local communities are not just beneficiaries but active contributors and decision-makers. Inclusive approaches are important to guarantee that all voices, especially those traditionally marginalised, are heard and respected, fostering more sustainable and impactful outcomes.

Facilitator: Tabea Campbell Pauli (The Asia Foundation)

Presentations:

• South Sudan: Elizabeth Nyibol Malou, Emmanuel Luga Aquila and Jovensia John Romano (Rift Valley Institute)
• Bangladesh: Tasnia Khandaker Prova, Mohammad Azizul Hoque, M Sanjeeb Hossain, Nafisa Tabassum and Al Muktadir Elahi Esmam (Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University)
• Syria/Levant: Kheder Khaddour (Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center)

Day 2: GESI in conflict research

This session gave participants a deep dive on the topic of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), practical tools, and resources available on the topic. The training was led by Barbury Partners and presented in three parts:

Understanding Gender Equality and Social Inclusion defined key concepts around gender inequality and discrimination, examining how these contribute to social exclusion and how social and gender norms perpetuate these inequalities and exclusions.

GESI Principles, Approaches, Tools outlined practical GESI tools, including intersectionality, GESI analysis, GESI strategies, policies, and checklists. These tools are designed to help integrate GESI considerations into various contexts, ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion are actively promoted and implemented.

GESI in Cross-Border Research focused on applying GESI in cross-border research. Researchers discussed barriers and enablers impacting female researchers’ participation and conceptualised cross-border research from a GESI perspective to identify where women are included or excluded. 

“Engaging in collaborative research agenda design workshops with researchers from diverse regions not only generates valuable ideas but also enriches our comprehension of shared challenges and emerging issues. This collective effort serves as a platform for identifying commonalities and paving the way for future research directions. By consolidating our insights and perspectives, we can effectively address urgent concerns and chart a course towards meaningful advancements in our respective fields.”
– Local researcher