Noman Sajjad was asked to reflect on his recent experience presenting a paper at an international peace conference.

As a Peace and Conflict Studies graduate student at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, I had the opportunity to present a paper at the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) Peace Conference, the world's largest network of peace associations, including researchers, academics, practitioners, and students for its 29th biennial conference. Held in Trinidad and Tobago in May 2023, the conference gathered around 200 participants from across the world.

Student who presented at a peacebuilding conference

Presenting at a conference provided me with the platform to showcase my expertise and work to a wider audience while receiving valuable feedback from peers and experts. The title of my presentation was “Approaches for Peace building, Social Cohesion and Reconciliation.” As a peace activist hailing from Pakistan and working in the peacebuilding sector for more than nine years, I reflected upon my learnings and experiences while being part of a larger team executing community-based action research projects. I highlighted the intersectionality and positionality of marginalized communities in the conflict-ridden society with a focus on peace interventions, theories of change, and approaches to establishing a peace narrative among communities for social cohesion.

The conference provided me with an avenue to learn directly from seasoned experts, researchers, practitioners, and peacebuilding leaders via keynote speeches, workshops, and panel discussions. The experience allowed me to gain new insights, expand my knowledge base, and stay up-to-date on advancements in the peacebuilding field.

By Noman Sajjad, Master of Peace and Conflict Studies student