Dr Velomahanina Tahinjanahary RAZAKAMAHARAVO
Email address: v.razakamaharavo@reading.ac.uk
ORCID: 0000-0002-0051-9190
Velomahanina RAZAKAMAHARAVO is a Research Fellow at the School of Politics, Economics and International Relations (SPEIR) at the University of Reading. She is the Principal Investigator of HYBRICON. Previously, she was a Lecturer/ Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hochschule für Politik München (HfP) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Before taking up that position, she was HfP’s Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow in Global Transformations for the academic year 2019/20. She is also a Scientific Collaborator at the Center for Political Science and Comparative Politics of UCLouvain Belgium. Prior to this, she was a Policy Leader Fellow at the School of Transnational Governance (STG) of the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, a Junior Visiting Researcher at the Department of Government of Uppsala University as well as the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of Umeå University (the Varieties of Peace program), and a Visiting Fellow at the Center on Conflict Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP) at the Graduate Institute of Geneva. She was also a Visiting Researcher at the Université Catholique de Louvain’s Center for Political Science and Comparative Politics where she developed a methodology bridging Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and in-depth narrative analysis, studying the dynamics of conflict transformation and recurrence. Finally, she was a Teaching Assistant in Comparative Research Design at the European Consortium of Political Research (ECPR) winter school. One of her goals is to bridge theory and practice. She participates in various initiatives outside the academic world. She focuses on a number of issues such as climate change and environment, emerging technologies (e.g.: Artificial Intelligence), and gender. For example, in Madagascar, she is a Technical Counsellor at the Association RohyAina which is working on the protection of Malagasy biodiversity. She is also a Digital Sherlock of the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, a network of scholars and practitioners identifying, exposing, and explaining disinformation where and when it occurs using open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and tools. We aim at forging digital resilience. She is also an Expert and Contributor within the Global Wo-Men Hub in Belgium and a 2017 Women in International Security (WIIS) Next Generation Scholar. Velomahanina holds a BA from the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar, an MA from the Institut Supérieur de la Communication des Affaires et du Management (ISCAM), and a PhD in International Conflict Analysis from the University of Kent-Brussels.
Lalatiana RAKOTONDRANAIVO has been a conflict sensitive communication specialist and consultant for nine (9) years. She has extensive experience in peace journalism and story-telling. She trains media actors and local leaders on conflict transformation, non-violent communication and interest-based dialogue. Previously, she worked for Search for Common Ground as Media and Project Coordinator, as a Senior Journalist where she managed the team of journalists, trained journalists and produced radio programmes, and as a journalist managing SFC’s networks of correspondents and carrying out interviews and news reports. Lalatiana was also a Video Reporter of the renowned TV and Radio outlet Radio Television Analamanga (RTA) in Madagascar where she was in charge of building stories, filming, and scriptwriting. She is passionate about storytelling and peacebuilding. She is convinced that each story has many perspectives to be discovered. Everyone’s voice matters and should be heard. Lalatiana has got a Theology diploma from the Sekoly Teolojikam-Paritany Loterana (STPL/ Lutheran Regional Theological School) Atsimoniavoko, a Masters degree in Languages, Cultures, and Communication as well as a Bachelor degree in media communication from the University of Antananarivo.
Rindratiana Rahajason graduated from the University of Reading specializing in Digital marketing, with an interest in its potential for social and economic development. She has a keen interest in providing communication and marketing support to NGOs, and has extensive experience in collaborating with NGOs that work in diverse fields such as education, health and environment. In her previous position as a Digital Marketing Officer at an NGO working in the field of human development, she was responsible for planning, executing and evaluating digital marketing campaigns to promote the organization’s work and increase its visibility. Rindratiana has also solid knowledge about the challenges and opportunities that digital marketing provides for businesses in the developing world. Rindratiana believes that communication and marketing are powerful tools that can be used to make a difference in people’s lives. She is enthusiastic about using her skills and experience to support organisations that work towards making the world a better place.
Tojo Alain RABEMANANTSOA is a Cartoonist and Designer. Tojo has extensive experience in producing cartoon strips. He worked as press cartoonist and a caricaturist, freelance designer and Illustrator for many renowned outlets such as the Journal La Nation and Le Madagascar, Ngah!? CREACOM Antsirabe, Le Quotidien, Madagascar Broadcasting System Anosipatrana, Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, La Gazette de la Grande, l’Observateur, MIDI Madagasikara, Journal Homéopharma, and the Cartoon Review Reh!vy, Edition Eh! Tojo has already various stellar works such as Tangala which is in three parts and was published by Editions des Bulles Dans l’Océan in La Réunion Islands, the cartoon strips Malaso from the Edition Sary 92, Et l’aube se lève sur Santaha, work supported by Association PREV’ACT La Réunion, Hazakazaka et Fanday, from the magazine Reh! vy Edition Eh!, and Naivo Kely, published by Edition CREACOM. Tojo was also invited to participate in various events such as the Festival d’Angoulême. His work appeared in various projects developing booklets and pedagogical tools revolving around sensitization on behaviours when facing corrupt actors (realized by Transparency International, Centre d’Action Juridique et d’Action Citoyenne/ CAJAC or Legal and Citizen Action Center), sensitization on the cultivation of vanilla and rice (système de riziculture intensive SRI) (produced for Groupe Conseil et Developpement GCD), production of picture box aiming at sensitizing young people on health and reproduction (produced for PACT Multi Sector Information Service and United Nations Children’s Fund), awareness-raising on environment-related issues and illegal logging (carried out for ONESF Observatoire National de l’Environnement et du Secteur Forestier and the European Union), illustrations in World Wide Fund for Nature’s Vintsy magazine as well as in educational materials. He also produced a 25- page colour cartoon on the l’IPSS (Inventaire Parcellaire Systématique Stratifié/ Stratified Systematic Plot Inventory). This is a project involving the owners and their neighbours with the assistance of the Commission de Reconnaissance Locale (CRL/ Local Recognition Commission). This was done within the framework of the project PROPFR (Promotion of Responsible Land Policy) with the cooperation of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The focus was on sensitization surrounding land ownership and rights) Tojo studied Media Communication at the University of Antananarivo.
References: GCD (GSRI- Henri Fraise&Fils- Givaudan) – SAGE ONG- GALANA Madagascar- PACT Madagascar- PACT MSIS- TOTAL Madagasikara- CAJAC- BIANCO- Gazety NGAH ?!- MIDI Madagasikara- La Gazette de la Grande Ile- L’Observateur- Le Quotidien- Les Dépêches de Brazzaville- Association PREV’ACT La Réunion-
OUR STEERING BOARD
Reverend Solofo Manga Haga Andriambelo has more than 30 years of experience among the local communities in Madagascar. His ministry has given him significant exposure to the Malagasy communities where he has been working with individuals, families, communities, and groups of actors on local community projects which are ministerial in nature as well as development-oriented ones covering issues such as human rights, environment, healthcare, economy, women’s rights etc. He is an expert and researcher in the fields of communication, social mobilization and anthropology and uses these in the community peacebuilding activities he carries out through his ministry as well as his academic research. He has served as a Pastor at the Fiangonan’ny Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara (FJKM) Antsahamarofoza, Andranomalaza Sadabe, Nanja Soavinandriana Itasy, and Soavinandriana Itasy. He is also highly active in the leadership of various entities. He was the President of Pastors Fellowship in the FJKM Regional Synod of Iarivo Avaradrano, the President, Vice-President, and Board Member of the Malagasy Bible Society Board, the Vice- President of FJKM Regional Synod of Soavinandriana- Itasy, and the President of Evangelism Department in the FJKM Regional Synod of Soavinandriana- Itasy. Prior to this, he was a Consultant in Communication at Mediascope.
Camille Ratsimbazafy has more than 26 years of experience in Madagascar working with local, regional and international actors. He is currently the Executive Director of ISCAM Business School in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Prior to that, he was a Lecturer at the same University where he taught graduate and undergraduate students as well as the personnel of private companies various Leadership and Change Management courses including conflict management. He was also the General Director of Culture at the Ministry of Culture, and Heritage where he significantly shaped, developed, and implemented policies aiming at preserving Malagasy culture and values among the local communities (including tolerance, solidarity, the Fihavanana), initiatives building up creative and development-oriented individuals and communities. Moreover, still within that framework, he was in charge of shaping policies that include new cultures respectful of democratic principles, human rights, the environment while protecting the traditional ones. He has extensive consulting and technical experience in law, communications, quality and environmental management and human resources while working on big projects pertaining to public infrastructure projects, customs, environmental projects, support funds for private sectors, and medical manufacture support.
Lalatiana RAKOTONDRANAIVO has been a conflict sensitive communication specialist and consultant for nine (9) years. She has extensive experience in peace journalism and story-telling. She trains media actors and local leaders on conflict transformation, non-violent communication and interest-based dialogue. Previously, she worked for Search for Common Ground as Media and Project Coordinator, as a Senior Journalist where she managed the team of journalists, trained journalists and produced radio programmes, and as a journalist managing SFC’s networks of correspondents and carrying out interviews and news reports. Lalatiana was also a Video Reporter of the renowned TV and Radio outlet Radio Television Analamanga (RTA) in Madagascar where she was in charge of building stories, filming, and scriptwriting. She is passionate about storytelling and peacebuilding. She is convinced that each story has many perspectives to be discovered. Everyone’s voice matters and should be heard. Lalatiana has got a Theology diploma from the Sekoly Teolojikam-Paritany Loterana (STPL/ Lutheran Regional Theological School) Atsimoniavoko, a Masters degree in Languages, Cultures, and Communication as well as a Bachelor degree in media communication from the University of Antananarivo.
Adrien M. Ratsimbaharison is currently a Professor of Political Science, in the Department of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice, Benedict College, Columbia, SC., where he regularly teaches Political Science and History courses. He was born and raised on the Island of Madagascar, before moving to the United States with his family. After earning a Masters Degree (or DEA, in French) in History from the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar), he started his professional career in Madagascar as a journalist-reporter for Midi-Madagasikara, a daily newspaper in Antananarivo from 1986 to 1989, before accepting a teaching position at the University of Fianarantsoa (Madagascar), where he taught History and International Relations courses. In 1992, he came to the United States on a Fulbright scholarship to undertake a PhD in International Studies at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. Upon his graduation in 1999, he accepted a teaching position in the Department of Social Science, Allen University, Columbia, SC, where he taught Political Science and History courses and served as the Departmental Chair from 2002 to 2004. As a result of his commitment to excellence in teaching and university service, he was nominated in the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,” 8th Edition (2003-2004). In 2010, he moved to Benedict College, where he was awarded a tenure and promotion to the rank of Full Professor. As a researcher, he mainly focuses on the issues of development, democratization, and armed conflicts in Africa. He is the author of two books: The Failure of the United Nations Development Programs for Africa (University Press of America, 2003) and The Political Crisis of March 2009 in Madagascar (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017). He also published several journal articles and book reviews on these issues. For an exhaustive list of his publications, conference papers, and media appearances, please refer to his personal homepage at: https://aratsimbaharison.weebly.com/about.html.
Élise Féron is a Docent and a senior research fellow at the Tampere Peace Research Institute (Finland). She is also an invited professor at the University of Louvain (Belgium), the University of Turin (Italy), Sciences Po Lille (France) and the University of Coimbra (Portugal). Before moving to Finland, she held permanent positions at the University of Kent (UK) and at Sciences Po Lille (France). Her main research interests include conflict-generated diaspora politics, conflict prevention, masculinities and conflicts, sexual violence in conflict settings, as well as post-colonial interstate relations. She has chaired 7 major international projects on these issues over the past 15 years, among which two major EU funded FP6 and FP7 projects, two EuropeAid projects, one KONE Foundation project, and lately an Academy of Finland Project “Diasporas and Transportation of Homeland Conflicts: Inter-group Dynamics and Host Country Responses” (2019-2023). She has collected data in various conflict areas, such as Eastern Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, the South Caucasus and the Balkans, among other places. Her latest books include: Handbook of Feminist Peace Research. Routledge, 2021 (edited with Tarja Väyrynen, Swati Parashar, and Catia Confortini); Diasporas and Conflict Transportation. Challenges and Creative Practices. TAPRI Book Series, 2021 (co-edited with Cæcilie Svop Jensen); Revisiting Regionalism and the Contemporary World Order. Barbara Budrich Publishers, 2019 (edited with Jyrki Käkönen and Gabriel Rached); Wartime Sexual Violence Against Men. Power and Masculinities in Conflict Zones, Lanham, Rowman and Littlefield, 2018.
Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv is Professor of Critical Peace and Conflict Studies at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Born in the Netherlands and raised in Canada, she obtained her education in Canada at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec (Bachelor in Science, Biology) and at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta (Masters of Arts and PhD in Political Science). Hoogensen Gjørv has taught for over 25 years, and supervised students at the Masters and PhD levels for almost 20 years. Hoogensen Gjørv’s research has interrogated the interactions and tensions between perceptions of state and human security in a variety of contexts, with a particular focus on civil-military interaction and Arctic perceptions of security. She is concerned with representations and performances of civilian agency, drawing upon intersectional approaches to better understand agency, “everyday” security, and possibilities for peace. Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv currently leads the project Resilient Civilians examining civilian agency in population-centric and hybrid warfare scenarios (partially funded by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme), and recently completed a project investigating the trajectories of indigenous territorial rights in Russia (funded by the Research Council of Norway). She is a partner and core theme leader for the EU-HYBNET project, a European network of researchers and practitioners focused on the mitigation of hybrid threats, as well as a partner with the THREAT DEFUSER project examining the ways in which language is manipulated for the purposes of disinformation. Hoogensen Gjørv serves on various boards including within the Norwegian Research Council, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, and the International Arctic Science Committee. Her book publications include “Understanding Civil-Military Interaction: Lessons Learned from the Norwegian Model” (Ashgate, 2014) and (co-editor and contributor) “Environmental and Human Security in the Arctic” (Routledge, 2014), and most recently, (co-editor and contributor) of “Routledge Handbook of Arctic Security” (Routledge, 2020). She has published in Review of International Studies, Security Dialogue, Political Psychology, International Studies Review, among other journals, as well as written numerous book chapters.
Marc Lanteigne is an Associate Professor of Political Science at UiT: The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, specialising in comparative politics, especially China and East Asia, and international relations. He is the author of Chinese Foreign Policy: An Introduction, co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of Arctic Security, and has written several books and articles about Chinese and Asian politics and foreign policy. He has taught in Britain, Brunei, Canada, China, Iceland, New Zealand and Vietnam, and has researched various aspects of non-traditional and economic security. His most recent project looks at the security of government digital currencies, including from a China perspective.