With record numbers of armed conflicts around the world and an uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict prevention endeavors currently face a particularly challenging environment. Looking ahead, three phenomena are expected to increasingly influence societies across the globe: climate change, digitalisation and the fragmentation of power structures. How will these three global megatrends affect peace and conflict dynamics? And how could conflict prevention approaches strengthen societal resilience and help the international community to better manage these transformations?

In a recent Chaillot paper for the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) ‘The future of conflict prevention: Preparing for a hotter, increasingly digital and fragmented 2030‘, Dr. Katariina Mustasilta focuses on how each megatrend may independently or jointly contribute to escalating conflicts, and how such knowledge can be seized to plan and invest in concrete structural and operational conflict prevention efforts.

During this brown bag lunch discussion she will present insights from this publication and discuss their implications for the European Union. Her presentation will be followed by an informal discussion with participants.

Dr. Katariina Mustasilta is a postdoctoral fellow at the Finish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA). Her research applies both quantitative and qualitative methods and focuses on countries’ internal conflict dynamics, civil unrest, and local and international conditions for preserving peace. Dr. Mustasilta was previously Senior Associate Analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). She has taught at and holds a PhD from the Government Department at the University of Essex and has a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University.

Please note that registration is mandatory. RSVP to Lorenzo Conti if you would like to participate.