Tampere Peace Day opens new perspectives into peace
A video greeting to the Tampere Peace Day event is brought by Member of Parliament and former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
The purpose of the event is to re-examine the concept of peace and mediation and peace building in the changed global situation. The theme encourages participants to critically explore peace and ask how peace research and related practices can adapt to the changed geopolitical situation on one hand and to the diversity of the definition of peace on the other.
The first Tampere Peace Day event was organised a year ago by Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI) at Tampere University and CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.
This year, the organisers are joined by Finn Church Aid and Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission.
TAPRI’S Research Director Marko Lehti says that the event creatively brings together research and action in the field of peace. The discussions bring together researchers and peace practitioners, such as professionals working in peacebuilding, conflict management, and security.
Peace encompasses both everyday experiences and mediation practices globally.
“Defining peace is a complex task with no easy answers. Peace is a powerful and empowering concept that has different meanings in the experiences and practices of individuals, communities, and institutions,” Lehti points out.
The ability of global systems that maintain peace and security to resolve conflicts has weakened. At the same time, conflicts have prolonged, and the parties involved in conflicts have become more diverse, making conflict resolution even more difficult. Hybrid influence and new technologies are also shaping warfare.
The panels of Tampere Peace Day and the diverse backgrounds of the speakers bring out different voices and perspectives on peace and conflict research and conflict resolution, including i.e. Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria.
The keynote speaker is Swati Parashar, Professor in Peace and Development at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Read the keynote speaker's introduction
Tampere Peace Day conference is arranged in the main auditorium of Päätalo on Tampere University’s city centre campus (address: Kalevantie 4) at 10.15-17.00 on 2 December.
