Reconciliation is often thought of as a religious or quasi-religious enterprise, with religious leaders, perpetrators and victims taking the centre stage. Reconciliation is a process that can bring healing, or support the need to sustain just peace over a long period of time. As such, reconciliation efforts may shape the softer fabric of the long-term capacity for coexistence. While the role of religious leaders can be helpful in shaping post-conflict social relationships, reconciliation is also a political assignment.

April 2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of NATO – the transatlantic alliance as prominent in the Cold War as in the Ukraine conflict today. Its changing political initiatives, military operations, and burgeoning membership from 12 to 31 countries (and counting!) reflect its enduring significance. Helping to explain NATO’s foundations and current role are security studies expert Professor Patrick Porter, scholar and military veteran of NATO missions Seth Johnston, and former senior Army commander and foreign policy expert Jonathan Shaw.

Since 1990, citizens of Ukraine have used two distinct forms of struggle against Russian domination of their country: first, many episodes of civil resistance including mass demonstrations on the Maidan in Kiev, and then armed defence against Russian invasion and occupation, symbolized by the fight against the siege of Mariupol, now under Russian control. How does civil resistance persist in the occupied territories? What is the connectivity between 1990, 2004, 2014 and 2024? What lessons can be learned about the combination of two approaches?

Join us and our distinguished speakers for a panel discussion on the role of diplomacy in the global response to stop climate change. You will hear from the FCDO’s Head of Climate Diplomacy, Andrew Francis, on the UK’s strategy on this matter, alongside Oxford’s Prof. Benito Müller and Kaya Axelsson on issues around international climate change negotiations, including the utility of international fora like COP. Attendees will have ample time to engage with speakers in an open Q&A afterwards.