First major international Varieties of Peace conference inaugurated in Jakarta

Today the opening session of the Varieties of Peace 2019 Asia Conference took place in the city of Jakarta in Indonesia. The event, organized by the Varieties of Peace research program, was hosted by the Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and attended by over 60 guests, including participants and several distinguished visitors. The panels were also open for public attendance.

Today's discussions were the first in the three-day conference, which is held under the theme "Understanding Varieties of Peace in Asia". Welcome remarks were delivered by Executive Director of CSIS Philips Vermonte, Varieties of Peace Director Anna Jarstad and Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia Marina Berg.

Hassan Wirajuda, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia from 2001 to 2009 and Chief Negotiator of the First Phase of the Dialogue between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (1999-2000) delivered the keynote speech, where he gave an insight into his experience in the mediation process that put an end to the decades-long conflict in Aceh in 2005. The speech was followed by a short discussion where audience members were invited to participate.

The last session of the day consisted on a round table discussion. Short introductory remarks were delivered by Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Sunil Bastian and Dr. Fitriani under the overarching theme of the status of peace in Asia. Dr. Michelle Ann Miller chaired the panel and encouraged participants and other visitors to contribute to the discussion, which touched upon topics such as peace and security in Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and the ASEAN.

The second day of sessions will take place tomorrow Wednesday and will include six different paper panels.

See today's photo gallery