Projects
Pope Francis' 'Culture of Encounter' as a Paradigm for Social Dialogue and Peacebuilding in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria KU Leuven
This dissertation critically studies Pope Francis’ ‘culture of encounter’ as a paradigm for social dialogue and peacebuilding in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Using multiple methodologies (contextual, hermeneutical-critical, interdisciplinary and practical approaches) this research critically investigates the nature, causes and consequences of the violent conflict in the Niger Delta and the theological-ethical understanding of the culture of ...
AFRISURGE: Transformative Heritage: politics, peacebuilding and digital restitution of cultural heritage in contemporary Northeast DRCongo Ghent University
International aid and peacebuilding agencies active in Africa often rely on customary leaders to implement interventions in local communities. Their activities reflect functionalist, compartmentalized and rigid understandings of African leadership reminiscent of the colonial era when local leaders were co-opted for purposes of indirect rule. Western misconceptions often complicate rather than solve conflicts and humanitarian problems, and ...
Transformative Heritage: politics, peacebuilding and digital restitution of cultural heritage in contemporary Northeast DR Congo (AFRISURGE). University of Antwerp
The Relevance of Nonviolent Communication for Peacebuilding. Discussing the Impact of Marshall Rosenberg on the Catholic Social Teaching on Peace and War and Its Implications for Peace in Nigeria KU Leuven
The dissertation studies the nature, causes, and consequences of violent conflicts that have led to insecurity, loss of human life, property, and underdevelopment in Nigeria. Due to inadequate study of the problem, some view it as religious problems. Various models of peace approach such as: interreligious dialogues, and some forms of peace education are being used to respond to the situation, and they have proved insufficient. As a result, ...
Religion in no man’s land: An interdisciplinary research into the role of religious leaders in peacebuilding processes, the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina KU Leuven
This project proposes an analysis of the role played by religion and religious leaders in the processes of conflict transformation, with a special focus on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Religion is frequently criticized as one of the principal sources of violent conflicts. However, recent studies on transitional justice and conflict resolution emphasize the importance of religion for achieving and maintaining peace. This project ...
Conflicting frames of reconciliation: the politics of peacebuilding in the Balkans. KU Leuven
In order to rebuild peace successfully in a society that has been ravaged by (ethnic) conflict, it is commonly understood that the former warring parties should reconcile or engage in practices of reconciliation. However, it is not always clear what reconciliation precisely entails, and definitions of the concept often vary or remain vague. Some authors have tried to remedy this by proposing more concrete definitions or new ideal models of ...
The role of education in peacebuilding: An analysis of the impact of Côte d'Ivoire's educational content and practices. University of Antwerp
Memory, Silence and Reconciliation in Africa’s Great Lakes region: A Comparative Study of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, 1994-2014. Ghent University
In the past two decades, the Great Lakes region in central Africa has experienced violent conflict,
genocide and other forms of violence. The sub-region has also been a space to experiment
different kinds of peacebuilding initiatives by both international and local actors. Although many
scholars like Gerald Prunier, Filip Reyntjens,Kenneth Omeje and others have written on the politics
of ...