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The ‘localisation agenda’ – shifting power toward local actors in development, peacebuilding and humanitarian initiatives – is increasingly central to donor planning for better integrated and more effective approaches to conflict resolution and prevention. This has been a challenge for those operating in fragile and conflict-affected borderlands, where responses are still largely developed using evidence generated using top-down, state centric and often Global North-dominated perspectives. Shifting this status quo by enabling and empowering greater knowledge production and decision-making by local actors is an important contribution to more effective and equitable interventions. 

This session features researchers working in the borderlands of South Asia and East Africa through the UK International Development–funded Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme. Panelists will share their experiences developing and deploying mixed-methods, community-driven research methodologies, highlighting policy lessons for local, national and regional actors. Examples are drawn from XCEPT research on social fragility amongst climate vulnerable migrant communities in Bangladesh, the societal impact of violence and ‘mass anxieties’ in Pakistan, and community reflections on security and governance along Kenya’s borders with Uganda and Somalia. These case studies illustrate how research that melds local knowledge production with innovative methods of data and social media analysis can deliver improved evidence on the sources of instability and its impacts in borderlands to better inform inclusive and nuanced ‘triple nexus’ (development, peacebuilding, humanitarian) responses.

Speakers:

  • Tasnia Khandaker Prova (Climate Research Lead, Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, Bangladesh)
  • Azeema Cheema (Founding Director, Verso Consulting)
  • Patta Scott-Villiers (Senior Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University) 

Moderator: Tabea Campbell Pauli (Senior Programme Officer, Conflict and Fragility Unit, The Asia Foundation)

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