This page will keep you updated on events organized by, or affiliated with Aarcon. Read below for information on our biannual conferences and other events.
Stay tuned for future events—we always have something in the works!
Peace in a Changing World
On the 2nd of May, for the first time in collaboration with the Council for International Conflict Resolution (RIKO), the Aarhus Centre for Conflict Management (Aarcon) hosted our biannual conference, which this spring was centered on peace in a changing world.
Rasmus Nørlem Sørensen, director at RIKO, led us through his talk on ‘The EU and Peace in Ukraine’ where we discussed the dilemmas of the EU's role in Ukraine in relation to RIKO's 10 principles for International Conflict Resolution. Louise Wiuff Moe, Associate Professor at Roskilde University, presented some of her latest work from Somalia and Somaliland in the talk ‘Climate, Peace and the UN in Africa’ and on the securitization dilemma of climate change. To this, the audience debated the climate-security nexus and actions of climate justice. Finally, Sara Dybris McQuaid, Assoc. Prof. at Aarhus University and Visiting Researcher at DIIS, gave an introduction to her forthcoming book on Memory and Peacebuilding with interesting points to the role of commemoration and (lack of) peace agreements, and how the past is used to negotiate peace processes in the case of Northern Ireland.
The day ended with an interesting panel discussion on peacebuilding, security dilemmas of the Global North and South, and the role of civil society movements in peacebuilding. Thank you to the 41 participants from Aarhus University, the Danish Armed Forces, the Danish UN Association, conflict mediators, the Danish Centre For Conflict Resolution, etc., for your questions, perspectives, and insightful contributions!
See the program for the conference here.
On December 16, 2024, Aarcon organized the workshop "Practical Conflict Management", which offered methodological framework and practical approach to manage conflict thorough non-voilent communication. We invited an experienced mediator from the Danish Centre for Conflict Resolution (Center for Konfliktløsning), Anne Rebsdorf, as a facilitator. She provided us with mediation training as a part of the workshop. The workshop were fully booked and participants from the police, various municipalities, universities, and organizations discussed, communicated, and got inspiration from the activities. You can find the program here.
On October 21, 2024, Aarcon organised a screening for the award-winning documentary, 'Strangers to Peace'. The film follows three ex-guerrilla fighters from Colombia trying to reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives. Colleen Alena O'Brien, the documentary's producer, attended the event as a special guest and hosted a Q&A session after the screening. Stay tuned for an interview with Colleen in the upcoming issue of Aarcon Report! See the film's official website and trailer.
On June 21, 2024, Aarcon hosted the conference "Developing Restorative Justice — Innovative Practice Developments and New Ideas for the Future," which offered interesting new perspectives on restorative research and practice. More than 60 participants from the police, the Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalforsorgen), various municipalities, universities, and organizations took part in the conference. You can find the program here. The following presentation slides are available online: introduction to the conference; Thom Book's presentation; Sarah van Mastrigt's presentation; and Christian Gade's presentation.
On December 11, 2023, Aarcon hosted its first conference. The conference offered interesting perspectives from practitioners, students, and academics on transformative mediation and the Danish UN Association. Presenters Kurt Mosgaard and Anton Baaré from the Danish UN Association facilitated engaging discussions about the meaning and future of the UN in Denmark. Afterwards, Ann Fagerdal, mediator and leadership consultant, introduced the method of transformative mediation, followed by small exercises to practice the method. Thank you to the 62 participants for your active engagement and insightful contributions! You can find the program here.
On May 23, 2023, Aarcon invited researchers, students, and conflict management practitioners to be affiliated with the new Aarhus Centre for Conflict Management (Aarcon). We had an interesting day discussing the future of Aarcon, including which activities would be meaningful for the centre to engage in. You will find a PowerPoint from the event here.
