ACMES Roundtable: Rethinking peace-building in Yemen: war-induced migration, gender and transnational activism

 

In the context of armed conflict and political repression, the Yemeni diasporas have been growing and their transnational networks expanding. Since the outbreak of the war in 2014/2015, an estimated 4.5 million people have been displaced in Yemen and over 190.000 Yemenis fled the country to seek refugee status abroad. The number of Yemeni refugees and asylum seekers in Europe doubled between 2014 and 2019 to over 11.000. Most of them live in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK and remain deeply connected to Yemen. It is male-dominated migration, but the prominent participation of female leaders in peace-building activities and transnational networks makes women stand out.

 

In this roundtable, we would like to explore how has social mobility through war-induced migration contributed to transnational flows of information, ideas, activism, as well as financial, social and political resources. In particular, how have the situation of violence and the ongoing war in Yemen shaped the Yemeni transnational activists' and refugees’ political participation and contribution to peace-building and conflict management in and outside the country? To what extent are the Yemeni female activists’ demands similar or different to those voiced by men in peacemaking, peacebuilding and peacekeeping? How have they endured growing challenges, articulated demands and engaged in practices for greater justice, equality and human rights? How have transnational activists and refugees influenced politics concerning the Yemeni conflict and peace processes in both their homeland and their host country? To what extent are they able to influence peacebuilding and stability in Yemen through social, economic and political remittances? 

 

Speakers:

Chaired by:

 

When: June 6, 2023, 15.00-17.00.

Where: University of Amsterdam, PC Hoofthuis hall 1.05 (Spuistraat 134, 1012 VB Amsterdam).

 

 

 Find more information here.