Decolonizing Conflict Resolution

The current study and practice of “conflict resolution” has been shaped by the unbalanced power structure left behind by colonialism and imperialism. The West, or in the U.S. more specifically, has developed strategies of mediation and peace-building and diplomacy that place local conflict resolution methods from other parts of the world in the periphery, when they should be more central.

The “Decolonizing Conflict Resolution” will bring diversity and conflict experts together to discuss what it would take to decolonize this field.  This event has two parts. It begins with a virtual hour panel conversation and Q&A with two Yemeni women at the forefront of addressing the conflict in Yemen. Nadwa al-Dawsari is one of the foremost researchers, writers, and activists in Yemen, and frequently writes about what the West gets wrong in writing about Yemen. Summer Nasser is CEO of Yemen Aid, a humanitarian organization established in 2016 that delivers aid in Yemen. The conversation will be moderated by Olajiwon McCadney, Executive Director for Diversity Studies at HACC.

The panel discussion will be followed by a reflection with students on the conversation and the broader topic of decolonizing conflict resolution, facilitated by Olajiwon McCadney.

About the Speakers:

Summer Nasser

Summer Nasser is a speaker and analyst on Yemeni affairs and is the Chief Executive Officer of Yemen Aid, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization and an Internationally licensed NGO in Yemen that was recently established in late 2016 as a response to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Ms. Nasser has spoken alongside diplomats, officials and experts at different institutions across the United States and the United Nations in New York and Geneva on issues related to Yemen. Some of those who Ms. Nasser spoke alongside with are Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Virginia Bennet, former Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Ms. Nasser has appeared on media platforms such as BBC, Aljazeera and PRI. Ms. Nasser has received multiple awards by organizations, congress members and was recently awarded a Citation of Merit by the Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr.

Nadwa al-Dawsari

Nadwa has over 20 years of field experience in Yemen. She has conducted extensive research in Yemen, providing deeper insights into the internal dynamics of the conflict in the country. Her publications have been featured by the Middle East Institute, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Atlantic Council, Lawfare, Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), the Washington Post, and the Center for Civilians in Conflict, among others. Additionally, she has previously held the positions as the Yemen Country Director for Center for Civilians in Conflict, a Senior Non-resident Fellow at the Project on Middle East Democracy, and a founding Director of Partners Yemen, a local affiliate center of Partners Global. Earlier in her career, she worked as a senior program manager at the National Democratic Institute in Yemen, managing elections monitoring and tribal conflicts programs.

Olajiwon McCadney

Olajiwon McCadney is the Executive Director for Diversity Studies, Intercultural Student Success & Strategic Partnerships at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. McCadney has worked in Higher Education for the past twelve years in the areas of Residence Life, Student Conduct, Title IX, ADA compliance, Global Opportunities/Study Abroad,  Student Involvement, DEI, Access Programs and Leadership Programs. Additionally, McCadney serves as a facilitator and trainer on the national team with the Center for Restorative Justice at the University of San Diego, a board member on the National Association for African Americans in Human Resources (the Western New York, Rochester Chapter) and volunteers as a Financial Literacy Coach for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester, NY.