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Enacting Global Transformation Enacting Global Transformation A Collaborative Initiative of the Centre of International Studies, University of Oxford In Partnership with Theatre of Transformation Academy WHY, Why Now, and So What: The Motivation, Purpose and Intended Impact Purpose: to bring humanity and creativity to the responses of scholars, policy makers, crisis-affected communities and the public to crises of security and governance, and stimulate new ideas for paradigm change. Why: We stand at the precipice of what could be the most perilous period in human history since the 1930s. We are called now to ‘not merely tinker with piecemeal reform of governance structures that leave the current paradigm of governance intact, but fundamentally… redefine the paradigm of power itself.’1 This collaborative initiative responds to this imperative by combining transformative theory, practice and policy with the arts. Why now: The dire global climate of violent conflict, divisive national politics, and severely strained international relations we face today requires innovative, effective responses grounded in humanity and ethics. The intended impact is to foster renewed thinking, research, policies and public reactions to global crises of war and governance, as evidenced through creative research, initiatives and collaborations to enact global transformation. This initiative does not seek piecemeal responses to individual global crises. Rather, it evokes critical rethinking of prevailing paradigms of power underlying today’s intertwined crises of war and governance, and fosters humane and creative thinking to shape new paradigms of power for politics and IR. WHAT FOR: Origins and Objectives This project builds on previous research projects conducted at CIS since 2009, on the responsibility to protect, culture, religion and governance. It furthers the conclusions of an interdisciplinary project on ending mass atrocities at CIS, whose final publication, co-edited with Professor Thomas G. Weiss, stated: “(t)here is need in the praxis of politics and international relations to restore art, aesthetics and creativity to a central place. The bureaucratic stagnation and lack of imagination that bog down problem solving in governments as well as intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations can and should be overcome. Creativity, imagination and innovation in problem solving would be potent tools to rejuvenate governance at all levels.” Furthermore, it noted: ‘There is much that UN officials and governments can learn from the ordinary citizens whose voices are heard… The UN – its member states and its staff – must act more consistently, creatively, courageously, and humanely.”2 The Objectives of this programme’s are: 1. To infuse global security and governance with the human spirit, and evoke more humane, creative, effective and sustainable pathways to enact global transformation, through real-life testimonies and performance art, and thus engage students, policy makers and the public in addressing global crises afresh. 2. To propose story telling, testimonies and the arts generally, and specifically, the catalytic methodology of Theatre of Transformation, to scholars, policy makers, organizations and crisis-affected communities to generate transformative research, policies and change initiatives in response to global crises. 3. To connect and nurture a transformative epistemic community of scholars, policy makers and practitioners across cultures and disciplines to further develop this methodology and foster change initiatives. 4. More broadly to connect scholars and practitioners studying or utilizing the arts in global security crises and peacebuilding efforts across diverse cultures and contexts, and strengthen this under-researched field. 5. To model how epistemic communities can activate the power of storytelling, testimonies and the arts to communicate, educate and enact transformative action. HOW: The Methodology This programme proposes a transformative methodology as the fulcrum for its activities. Since December 2013, when it first emerged in Oxford, ‘Theatre of Transformation’ has developed into a catalytic methodology that engages scholars, policy makers, peace and justice practitioners and the public to address global crises critically and creatively, and to envisage innovative research, policy or civic initiatives to enact global transformation. Through enacted real-life testimonies of transformation, it takes participants through an experiential, interactive four-stage process, which can be summarized briefly as follows: (1) Witnessing Reality: Re-evaluating the situation, and engaging personally, through real-life testimonies. 1 Mani, ‘From Dystopia to OURtopia: Charting a Future for Global Governance’, International Affairs, vol. 91, No 6, 2015. 2 Mani and Weiss, Responsibility to Protect: Cultural Perspectives in the Global South, (Abingdon: Routledge 2011) p.234; pp.244-245. 1 (2) Awakening Possibility: From facing deadlock to unlocking & envisaging multiple possibilities. (3) Envisioning Change: Focusing on the optimal vision for change; mapping, designing, internal preparation (4) Enacting Transformation: Harnessing collective intelligence, forging creative alliances to impact change. All testimonies presented are of people encountered first hand in the course of research and professional work in conflict and governance on different continents. This methodology was shaped with inputs from numerous distinguished scholars and practitioners in Oxford and around the world, and informed by decades of study and experience of crisis transformation processes within diverse societies, organizations, communities – and individuals. It integrates powerful, tested methodologies of transformation from diverse disciplines. Key events that shaped this methodology were held at Oxford hosted by CIS, together with Oxpeace, CCW and ELAC, and Oxford scholars informed this methodology since its inception. (see Annexe for details on the Methodology and this November 2016 article in Kosmos journal: http://www.kosmosjournal.org/article/theatre-of-transformation/) WHO: A Transformative Community of theory, policy and practice This initiative connects and nurtures a community of scholars, practitioners and policy makers across diverse cultures and contexts involved in enacting global transformation through creative, innovative and humane means. It aspires to stimulate the emergence of an epistemic community that pioneers innovative ways to enact transformation through the arts. WHAT: The Focus Areas, Activities and Research Outcomes Focus Areas: This initiative focuses on the inter-related crises of security and governance. Its activities seek to provide new perspectives, define new paradigms, and foster humane and creative responses to: I. War & Peace: especially: (a) Violent conflicts and mass atrocities (b) Transformative justice in post-conflict and transitional countries (b) Global migration and Refugee flows II. Governance: especially: the future of (a) Democracy in the face of rising nationalism and extremism (b) The United Nations, global security architecture and multilateralism (c) Women reshaping governance. The voices, visions and wisdom of students, women and crisis-affected communities are highlighted. Activities: A series of innovative activities is proposed, in collaboration with partners in and outside Oxford: (1) Creative Performances and Conversations on global issues: to engage students and participants in addressing global crises anew and fostering innovative responses. (2) Academic Applications of the methodology: e.g. via a research methods seminar for DPhil students, to support DPIR students in pioneering research to respond to global crises and revitalize the discipline. (3) An Informal Gathering of Women Scholars to share reflections on current and future developments. (4) A seminar/roundtable on women and governance in partnership with Rising Women Rising World. (5) Annual meeting of the Epistemic Community: to explore and expand the role of the arts in responding to global crises and to inform the development and application of the Theatre of Transformation methodology. (6) Peace and Justice Missions to crisis-affected societies to support local partners in developing, documenting and enacting their transformative testimonies and change initiatives. (7) Collaboration with related CIS programmes, and creative contributions to relevant events at Oxford. Research and Publications * An annual report: to present activities, and analyze impact, and stimulate debate and reflection. * An academic publication: presenting transformative perspectives on global issues, combining papers by emerging and established scholars, and prioritizing innovative research by students. In 2017, the publication a volume of essays on Transformative Justice written and co-edited by post graduate students serving as research assistants of this project is being undertaken. *A bibliography/data base: of ongoing research on the role of the arts in enacting global transformation. Partnership with the Theatre of Transformation Academy (www.TheatreofTransformation.org) This initiative will serve as the academic community and knowledge creation hub for the Theatre of Transformation Academy, while the Academy’s programmes and activities will multiply the impact of this initiative on the ground, through its network of partners on all continents, and especially in crisis areas. CONCLUSION: The Added Value of this Initiative In summary, this collaborative initiative and its transformative
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