The Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), jointly hosted by the University of Ibadan (UI) and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), will be 20 years old in 2023. It was established at the University of Ibadan in 2003 though its gestation stage could be dated back to 2000 when it made its debut alongside the Peace and Conflict Studies programme of UI. We have decided to celebrate the growth and development of the Society alongside its 17th International Annual Conference and General Assembly. Theme: “Peace Studies, Peace Practice In A Changing World Order: Models, Experiences, Interventions And Prospects” to be held from 16 - 20 October, 2023, at the 1000-Seater Lecture Hall, Yelwa Campus of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State, Nigeria. During the first two days of the conference will also conduct a Peace Practice Workshop focusing on (i) conflict analysis and peace processes, (ii) community engagement, (iii) conflict sensitivity, and (iv) monitoring and evaluation. The conference which will start formally on 17th October 2023, will feature the unveiling of SPSP’s Hall of Fame and investiture of new Fellows as well as induction of Members and the presentation of special awards to deserving peace scholars and practitioners.

This gathering of peace scholars and practitioners across Africa will focus on reviewing models and experiences of peace studies and practice within the Continent in the last few decades and then suggesting the ways forward. The significance of this subject matter is readily underscored by the increasing negative impact that terrorism and violent extremism are having on Africa’s development. This year’s Conference also represents a call for peace scholars and practitioners to retool. What worked, what failed, what should be retained or changed? SPSP invites abstracts from peace scholars and practitioners that provide answers to these and any other questions. The following sub-themes will be considered:

1. Nature of knowledge and knowledge production in peace studies and practice
2. Theoretical positions in peace studies/practice
3. Linking peace and security studies
4. Boundaries between peace studies and practice
5. Contributions of mainstream disciplines to peace studies and practice
6. Research methods
7. History of peace studies programmes
8. Assessment of civil society organisations
9. Intervention projects and their impacts
10. Peace workshops: How and how not to train
11. Peace agreements and their implementation
12. Early warning and early response systems
13. Interagency collaboration in peace and security management
14. The efficacy of African Union and ECOWAS normative
frameworks on Unconstitutional Change of Government (UCG)
15. Climate change, security-related risks and conflict dynamics
16. Water, Transhumance, and Conflict
17. Ten years to end the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the prospect of inclusive societies, justice for all, and inclusive institutions at all levels

As usual, the conference will make provisions for scientific, practitioner, student and special issue panels. Kindly note the following: 1. Abstracts should be sent to: abstracts@spsp.org.ng 2. Final date for submission of abstracts: August 15, 2023 3. Final date for submission of full papers: September 25, 2023 In the event of an abstract being accepted, a full draft of the paper (5,000 words maximum, 12 point; New Times Romans; APA Style) should be submitted latest by September 25, 2023 to make inclusion in the final programme of the conference. Registration and all payments for the conference shall be done online via …...