Raising Silent Voices: Harnessing local knowledge for communities' protection from violence in Myanmar

Staff involved: Dr Berit Bliesemann de Guevara

This project researches ways in which knowledge about peace, conflict and violence is created and understood at the local level and expressed through culture (in its broadest terms) and cultural forms, for example through literature, art, graffiti, textiles, photographs, storytelling, music or dancing. Our approach is to enquire with curiosity, and to listen with time and patience, in order to hear authentic voices of local people. We are interested to know how knowledge and understanding is transmitted through culture and if there is a way in which those voices and insights can be gathered and heard by those, particularly international intervenors, who seek to support and enable peace and security in the country. This interpretation through oral and artistic forms of local data will give us new insights to knowledge about peace, conflict and violence. The research team are using reflective methodologies to challenge the inadvertent replication of structural or predetermined frameworks in order to allow new knowledge to emerge.

 

This project is funded as AHRC-PaCSS project. The research team consists of: Dr Berit Bliesemann de Guevara (AU), Dr Rachel Julian (PI, Leeds Beckett University), Dr Ellen Furnari (Furnari consulting), Nonviolent Peaceforce Myanmar (project partner)

 

Gateway to Research link: http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/projects?ref=AH/N008464/1