This week the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown Campus will play host to the 5th Annual Summer School on Transitional Justice.

Organised by the Transitional Justice Institute, the Summer School brings together practitioners, academics and postgraduate students from around the world to share in a week long programme of interactive seminars and workshops.

International participants from countries such as Colombia, Kenya, Sudan, Israel and the United States will join local participants to exchange knowledge and experience. The theme of this year’s programme is 'Gender, Conflict and UN Resolution 1325.

Transitional justice is a burgeoning area of study and policy, and gender is one of the most prominent sub-themes of transitional justice. Issues of gender and conflict are becoming mainstreamed into the work of the United Nations, and gender inequality is increasingly being recognised as a factor in both causing and sustaining violent conflict.

The Summer School examines these issues through the lens of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which requires governments and the international community to keep gender to the forefront in all conflict resolution and peacebuilding activity. TJI Director Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin said:

"It is increasingly recognised that to resolve entrenched conflict women have to be at the table, central to negotiations, and engaged consistently in implementation. Our Summer School is central to knowledge exchange to ensure that happens both in Northern Ireland and elsewhere."

Gender is a key aspect of the research work undertaken at the Transitional Justice Institute, and the high number and quality of applications received for the summer school highlights the international significance of this work.

The Summer School is taught by some of the leading experts in the world on issues related to women's inclusion in conflict negotiations, conflict mediation, reparations and transitional justice including Professor Monica McWilliams, Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Dr Aisling Swaine, and Dr Catherine O'Rourke. The Summer School presents a unique opportunity to showcase our research as well as a wealth of practical policy experience at TJI.

The academic programme is also complemented by a full social programme which aims to introduce participants to Northern Ireland. The programme includes a visit to Parliament Buildings, where TJI Professor and former MLA Monica McWilliams will speak to participants about the Northern Ireland peace process; a murals tour of Belfast with TJI Co-Director Professor Bill Rolston; a tour of the North Coast and a closing dinner in the beautiful surroundings of Belfast Castle.

In September, the TJI will build on the success of its annual summer school to launch a new Masters programme, LLM Gender, Conflict and Human Rights.


Notes to Editors:

1. The Summer School on Transitional Justice runs from Monday 25 to Friday 29 June in Dalriada House, Jordasntown campus. Further information: Lisa Gormley on 028 90368963