2011 in Peace and Conflict Ross Ryan and Tara Ruttenberg
2011 has been a full year of stories and events of remarkable social, economic, and political importance. These range from the tragedies of war and natural disaster to the inspiring outpouring of support for affected communities. 2011 can also be characterized as a year of socio-political unrest and protest against the status quo in many countries, provoking robust and challenging public debate, a revived sense of unity for the common good, and many examples of how technology influences the ways in which we inform ourselves and participate in social movements. This was also the year that womenâs powerful contributions to politics and peacebuilding received the respect and attention they deserve by the Nobel Peace Prize selection committee.
The impacts of this yearâs seasons of change will undoubtedly spill over into the years and decades to come: the dark days of natural disasters in Japan and Somalia; the rise of popular movements propelling the Arab Spring; political scandal and economic tensions heating up to the point of boiling; the implications of NATOâs involvement in Libyaâs civil war, the âendâ of the Iraq war, and worldwide protests reflecting global frustration with on-going economic and environmental crises.