Can universities make a difference in post-conflict areas?
THE PANEL, from the left: Assoc. Prof. Trygve Berg (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), Dr. Endre Stiansen, Senior Adviser (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Dr. Ragnhild Dybdahl, Director, Education and Research Dept.( Norad), Sigvald Hauge, Assistant Director General (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Assistant Prof. Suad Badri (Ahfad University for Women) and Prof. Sitralega Maunaguru (Eastern University).
Coordinators from the five projects presented new research on recovery and democracy issues in post-conflict situations and shared their perspectives on the role of higher education within this context. The participants at the seminar, entitled ”Universities as agents for recovery, democracy and good governance in post-conflict areas” were representatives from Norad, The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian NGOs, universities and research institutes.
Professor Sitralega Maunaguru from Sri Lankan Eastern University speaking to the seminar participants.
Caguor Adong from the University of Bahr el Ghazal presented the project Capacity building in the field of mental health in South Sudan. In cooperation with University of Oslo, SINTEF Health, Stellenbosch University and Ahfad University for Women he’s working on strengthening the mental health sector in his home country. The Sudanese civil war that ended five years ago lasted for over twenty years and led to the death of about two million people.
“This has left the people of Sudan mentally scarred. We need to train our health workers and teach them how to deal with mental illness”, Mr. Adong said.
The project presentations were followed by a panel leading the fruitful discussion. Professor Sitralega Maunaguru from Sri Lanka’s Eastern University noted that higher education in post conflict countries, because of their socio-economic context, may be linked with social and political power because of the prestige associated with employment at the universities.
“One important question to ask is how to deal with this issue and use it in the peace building and recovery process,” Maunaguru said.
Professor Trygve Berg of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), made an observation on post conflict situations, based on this twenty years experience working in Ethiopia.
Professor Baard Maeland of the Norwegian School of Mission and Theology presented some of the research from the project he coordinates in Uganda, dealing with religious, ethical and practical perspectives of the reintegration of female ex-child soldiers in Eastern Africa.
”There is often a difference between a formal democracy and the realities on the ground - this problem can be recognised in many countries. University students learn what democracy is and what the rule of law is. They know their rights, and it generates a dream of change in hearts of the people. The whole educational system, from primary school to university level, has a significant role in making this dream come true,” he said.
Dr. Ragnhild Dybdahl from Norad concluded with making some points about policy, research ethics and quality.
”I think it’s important to look at the NUFU- projects presented, but also in general, and ask: how does research inform policy, and how does policy and action translate back to informed research?”
On the issue of ethics and quality of research, Dybdahl emphasised that a complex conflict situation is no excuse for compromise.
“On the contrary: when involving people in research, we need to ensure that their effort in taking part is not in vain and that they will not be harmed. Flexibility and alternative methodologies might be needed to deal with this, but quality or ethics cannot be compromised. Research on sensitive topics or with vulnerable populations requires permission from appropriate ethics boards in Norway, as well as the country where the research is being done. Measures must be taken on a national, regional, local and individual level to make sure that taking part in research is voluntary and based on informed consent”, Dybdahl said.
Text and photos: Kjersti Brown/SIU