Dead Men Walking: Conversations on Global Norms and Institutions

IFIT

Are today’s global institutions and norms for peace, democracy, and human rights still alive, or are they just “dead men walking”? In this thought-provoking new podcast series by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), organised in collaboration with Justice Info, we will try to answer the question. At a time of growing polarisation, geopolitical fragmentation, and declining institutional trust, our Dead Men Walking series aims to open space for honest reflection and serious thinking not only about the problems afflicting 20th century global norms and institutions, but also about new ideas and innovations for a fast-changing world. Each episode of the series will feature top thought leaders, partners and practitioners from IFIT’s 400+ global expert network.

  1. Episode 4

    Episode 4: Comprehensive Peace Agreements

    In this fourth episode of "Dead Men Walking", we turn our gaze to the topic of peacemaking, and in particular the ideal of comprehensive peace agreements (CPAs). Once considered the gold standard of international peacemaking, CPAs typically emerge through years-long processes that are highly participatory, with long agendas, a heavy international footprint, and transformative aims. The question we explore in this episode is whether this model – this ideal – is still viable or relevant, or whether contemporary conflict realities and trends require a very different type of ambition and approach. To examine this question, IFIT Deputy Global Director Martha Maya sits down with three leading experts from IFIT's global network: Monica McWilliams, a signatory of the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement, currently serving on the Independent Reporting Commission on the disbandment of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland; Dr. Thania Paffenholz, award-winning peacemaker and founder of Inclusive Peace; and Ambassador Hesham Youssef, a distinguished diplomat and Senior Advisor at the European Institute of Peace. "Dead Men Walking": Conversations on Global Norms and Institutions is a podcast series produced by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) in collaboration with JusticeInfo.net. In each episode, we bring together leading thinkers and practitioners from IFIT's 400+ global expert network to take an honest look at the problems afflicting 20th century global norms and institutions and to consider the new ideas needed for a changing world order.

  2. Episode 5

    Episode 5: International Aid

    In this fifth episode of "Dead Men Walking", we turn our attention to international aid. What is driving the current sharp decline in international assistance to countries in transition? What are the immediate as well as longer-term implications for countries emerging from conflict or authoritarian rule? And what alternative models or sources of support are likely to emerge in this new landscape? To examine these questions, IFIT Senior Adviser Seth Kaplan sits down with two leading expert voices from IFIT's 400+ global network: Alexandre Marc, a member of IFIT’s Inclusive Narratives Practice Group and the former Chief Specialist for Fragility, Conflict and Violence at the World Bank; and Shruti Mehrotra, a member of IFIT’s Transition Assistance Practice Group and the former Director of Policy for the Soros Economic Development Fund. Together, they unpack what is driving the sharp decline in international assistance, whether this shift is cyclical or structural, and what — or who — might fill the space that aid leaves behind. “Dead Men Walking”: Conversations on Global Norms and Institutions is a podcast series produced by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) in collaboration with JusticeInfo.net. In each episode, we bring together leading thinkers and practitioners from IFIT's global expert network to take an honest look at the problems afflicting 20th century global norms and institutions and to consider the new ideas needed for a changing world order.

About

Are today’s global institutions and norms for peace, democracy, and human rights still alive, or are they just “dead men walking”? In this thought-provoking new podcast series by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), organised in collaboration with Justice Info, we will try to answer the question. At a time of growing polarisation, geopolitical fragmentation, and declining institutional trust, our Dead Men Walking series aims to open space for honest reflection and serious thinking not only about the problems afflicting 20th century global norms and institutions, but also about new ideas and innovations for a fast-changing world. Each episode of the series will feature top thought leaders, partners and practitioners from IFIT’s 400+ global expert network.