Though trade-offs: integrating drugs, development and peace building

On 29 July 2020, Drugs & (dis) order a research project of which AREU is a partner organized an event titled Though trade-offs: integrating drugs, development and peace building with focus on drugs related issues in borderlands in Afghanistan, Myanmar and Columbia countries.  The event commenced by keynote notes from representatives of the research project in the countries and SOAS.  AREU’s Director Dr. Orzala Nemat moderated the event and delivered her key notes on drug issues in Afghanistan borderlands.  Speakers included:
1. Orzala Nemat, Director of Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit
2. David Keen, Professor of Conflict Studies, Landon School of Economics
3. Ann Fordham, Executive Director of International Drugs Policy Consortium
4. Estefania Ciro Rodriguez, Universidad de los Andes

Following the key notes, researchers presented key findings and messages from the three countries borderlands. Jasmine Bhatia, Research Fellow at SOAS presented key findings from Afghanistan drugs. Jasmine Bhatia presented on trading relations, brokers, violence, border context, conflict environment and livelihood in Afghanistan borderlands.

Presenters included:
1. Camilo Acero Vargas, Researcher at Universidad Nacional de Colombia
2. Jasmine Bhatia, Research Fellow, SOAS
3. Dan Seng Lawn, Director, Kachinland Research Center
4. The event concluded with question and answer session.