Reflections from the OGIP Research Event

Oftentimes young people are sidelined from decision-making and knowledge production in important areas of peace and security. At the end of 2023, OGIP hosted a virtual event to discuss the theme: “Whose Voice Counts? Young people in peace and security research”. The event celebrated the vital role young people play in peace and security research, as well as highlighting the barriers to young people’s contributions. OGIP’s platform is a place for critically engaged research from young people aimed at disrupting 'traditional' methods and voices of research; creating a space for young people to catalyse change and progress in the field of peace and security through artwork, poetry, interviews, podcasts, writing, photography or storytelling.

OGIP research contributor Katrina Leclerc from the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) chaired the panel discussion. Katrina was joined by some excellent panellists and performers, including OGIP partners, Dr. Amjad Saleem from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Briana Mawby from the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, and Dr. Manal Benani from Sustainable Cooperation for Youth Peace and Security. OGIP research contributors, Marie-Jeanne Kenji Maghoma from LAGO and Nikita Yasmin Shah from Hyphen Poetry spoke and performed at the event showcasing some of the incredible research published in partnership with OGIP.

This blog is a reflection of some of the key themes discussed at the event, including the importance of diversity in youth research, co-creation and intergenerational research solutions and the challenges young people face in peace and security research

Reflections from panellist and performer, Nikita Shah

The event asked us to reflect on the important question of ‘Whose Voice Counts?’ in the context of young people in peace and security research. I found the event insightful and inspiring; hearing from peers and engaging in a meaningful exchange.

The discussions as part of the panel demonstrated the need to push beyond discussions of inclusivity and diversity and towards equity, equitable relationships and transformational change. The panel reflected on some important questions: how are we shifting power? how are we making space for others to take power? whose voices are we listening to?

Underpinning these questions is one more - ‘Why?’ To transform power we must continue to question who is visible, whose voice is heard and why we get to hear from some people and not others. Asking these questions will allow us to remove barriers. In the context of research, to achieve this transformational change we must think about who has access, who can contribute, who sets the research agenda, and what methodologies are being used to conduct research. Two ideas put forward by the panellists were the co-creation of research within the community and using story-telling as research.

During the event we considered whether there are more inclusive approaches that allow us to reconsider what knowledge looks like outside Western concepts of empirical evidence. One of the panellists, Amjad, highlighted that whilst research has traditionally focused on achieving the outcomes set by researchers, it is also important to consider what the barriers to access or parameters for inclusion/exclusion are. Research can be conducted in a manner that is not extractive, exploitative or inconvenient to local communities. It is important to break down power dynamics and enable research participants to become co-creators. This includes allowing them to set research agendas, as well as decide methodologies.

Another of the panellists, Maghoma, spoke about the role of storytelling and narratives in more equitable research. Creating space for vulnerability is a prerequisite to building trust and a safe space for people to share their lived experiences and their histories, and to create and grow culture. Storytelling techniques offer an opportunity for connection and a breakdown of power. Amjad added that this work requires humility. Co-creative and interventional solutions can often uncover complexities and details that do not fit traditional researchers' frameworks and tools of analysis. Some research methods require a trauma-informed approach, as well as practises that centre healing and rest. For many researchers and co-creators, this type of work bears a large emotional cost. Such deep work requires proper resourcing and support and should not be treated like a trend.

Towards the end of the event, I had the opportunity to recite my poem ‘Tonight we rest’ a product of my research project with OGIP. Tonight We Rest was an effort to capture the lived experiences of the Global Majority of Self-Identifying Women whilst they fought for justice, equity and liberation in their personal and professional lives within the sector. As I recited the words, I realised that these words, these messages, and these experiences still rang true so long after the original publication. Poetry, like many art forms, offers an opportunity to capture the feelings and emotions of people and to convey these through creative means so others can also experience and find meaning. Storytelling, in the form of poetry, art, music, movement or other allows us to really question ‘Whose voice matters?’.

Reflections from panellist and performer, Amjad

When I was asked to speak on this panel on the subject of inclusion and young people in peace and security, I reflected on the challenges posed by the topic and the difficulty of making meaningful change. I wanted to demonstrate that diversity is a positive disrupting force, particularly in the youth space. It provides opportunities for different ideas to be brought to the peace and security agenda. It helps us to realise that we are much more than a label; that our plurality and diversity are not divisive elements, but a celebration of an understanding of common humanity and universal principles. Being more inclusive allows us to engage with our communities in a different way - forging connections that go beyond superficial interactions.

Through inclusive action, we create a sense of belonging, support, and collaboration. We tap into the collective wisdom and energy that can drive change. Yet, as our discussions surmised, this can be difficult if there is no willingness to accept or understand that Intergenerational dialogue is about passing the baton. It must be about creating a space to dialogue, build trust and, above all, listen. We must listen to the voices of our communities, to the stories of those who are often unheard. We need to understand their needs, their hopes, and their dreams. Intergenerational dialogue is also about collaboration. No one person or organisation can solve all the world's problems alone. Collaboration is the multiplier of impact. When we come together, we can pool our resources, knowledge, and creativity to tackle challenges head-on.

The Global Youth Mobilisation initiative of the Big 6 Alliance - of which IFRC is a member - is an example of how we can create spaces for co-creation with young people and intergenerational dialogue. It allows us to create safe spaces for the sharing of ideas but also provides agency for young people to think of innovative solutions to local problems.

Events like these discussions are important to share these ideas and knowledge between different stakeholders. By creating these forums, we ensure best practices are exchanged and networks are created.

Summary from the OGIP Team

Thank you Nikita and Amjad for taking the time to write on the blog about your reflection on the event and thank you to our panellists and participants that made the event a success. If you would like to hear more about the themes of inclusive action, co-creation of research and inter-generational solutions to issues in peace security, then you can listen back to the podcast of the panel event here.

If you were inspired by what you have read here and want to be involved in youth-led research that pushes for transformational change, we would love for you to be involved in OGIP’s research moving forward.

The two performances in the event were pieces created as part of previous OGIP Research Series. Our first performance was from Kenji Maghoma titled Rhythm and Legislation. This piece explores migration stories and reflects on the role culture plays in both conflict and peace building. The second performance was Nikitah Shah’s ‘Tonight we rest’ which reflects on the importance and benefit of rest. This piece speaks from the collective voice of self - identifying women of colour of varying ages and profession.

OGIP is excited to announce the start of our fourth Research series, and we are inviting our community to join us on this journey. If you are passionate about research, we need your ideas and perspectives to make impactful, transformative research. We are asking our communities to help us choose a research theme for the series so that our community can deep dive on a topic that is important to us all. Please suggest a theme here before the 30th of June 2024.

Biographies of contributors

Nikita Yasmin Shah is the founder of Hyphen Poetry which focuses on creative facilitation, research, evaluation and somatic healing. She is also a poet and dancer and has bridged her practice of art and professional work to develop a creative decolonial lens. Nikita is an OGIP research contributor and will be performing some of her work later in the event.

Dr. Amjad Saleem is the manager of the Volunteer, Youth and Education Development Unit at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies based in Geneva, a global team focused on volunteering management, youth innovation and engagement, and education programming.