THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM

presents

Dr. Joanna Quinn

Co-Director of the Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict Research Group and Assistant Professor of Political Science at The University of Western Ontario

“Traditional (and other) Justice in Uganda”

Thursday, February 28th, 2008
12:30-2:00 pm
Solarium, Falconer Hall
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Lunch provided

Dr. Joanna Quinn’s current research looks at traditional mechanisms of acknowledgment and reconciliation in Uganda. Before that, her research considered the ability of truth commissions in Uganda and Haiti to bring about societal acknowledgment.  Her work looks at the role of acknowledgement in overcoming the causes of conflict, which has the potential to affect real and lasting change.  She argues that only when past disputes have been acknowledged, can individuals and their communities begin once again to form relationships with their neighbours and to participate in the social activities and civic structures of society, finally defeating the deep-rooted conflicts which have served to paralyse that society.  And it is these networks of civic engagement which will lead to the rebuilding of a sustainable society.  She has spent more than nine months in Uganda, and will spend another eight months in Uganda between now and 2010.  She has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the International Research Development Centre, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, and the United States Institute of Peace.  Dr. Quinn has taught courses on genocide, human rights, democratization, and post-conflict resolution.  She is Co-Director of the Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict Research Group and Assistant Professor of Political Science at The University of Western Ontario.