Building Better Peace
Dr Jasmine Westendorf is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at La Trobe University and a Research Associate at the Developmental Leadership Program.
Her research focuses on civil wars and peace processes, in particular, how the international community supports societies as they move from war towards peace, and why these processes often fail to establish stable peace. She is particularly interested in the negotiation of power during these processes, the role of non-state actors and women, and how the assumptions and behaviours of international interveners affects their capacity and credibility in the countries in which they work.
Jasmine's first book, "Why Peace Processes Fail: Negotiating Insecurity After Civil War" was published in 2015 by Lynne Rienner Publishers. Her second book, "Violating Peace: Sex, Aid and Peacekeeping" is out now with Cornell University Press.
Books
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Why peace processes fail: negotiating insecurity after civil war
Why do so many post–civil war societies continue to be characterized by widespread violence and political instability? Or, more succinctly, why do peace processes so often fail to consolidate peace? Addressing this question, Dr Jasmine Westendorf explores how the international community engages in resolving civil wars—and clarifies why, despite the best of intentions and the investment of significant resources, external actors fail in their reconstruction efforts and even contribute to perpetuating the very conditions of insecurity and conflict that they are trying to alleviate.
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Violating Peace: Sex, Aid, and Peacekeeping
Dr Jasmine Westendorf's discomforting book investigates sexual misconduct by military peacekeepers and abuses perpetrated by civilian peacekeepers and non-UN civilian interveners. Based on extensive field research in Bosnia, Timor-Leste, and with the UN and humanitarian communities, she uncovers a brutal truth about peacebuilding as she investigates how such behaviors affect the capacity of the international community to achieve its goals related to stability and peacebuilding, and its legitimacy in the eyes of local and global populations.
"Even if there’s no war raging, there are many places where people can’t live with dignity, human rights, or access to health and education." - Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf
Get in touch
Dr Westendorf has published a range of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters that explore a few key themes: the role of the international community in peace processes in civil wars, issues of women, peace and security; and sexual exploitation and abuse in peace operations.
She has also made numerous media appearances discussing issues surrounding peace and post conflict issues.
Dr Westendorf is available for expert consultancy, media comment, and graduate supervision.
Latest from Twitter
If your child asks why Australia is celebrating a day of invasion, what will you tell them? @amymcquire @IndigenousX
#AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #InvasionDay https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/26/if-your-child-asks-why-australia-is-celebrating-a-day-of-invasion-what-will-you-tell-them?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Fun fact: It’s 00:00 on Friday in Samoa, and the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has just entered into force there ... the first place on Earth! 🇼🇸 🥳 @samoagovt #nuclearban
Here’s the thread on Foucault’s 3rd 1976 lecture! @foodgovernance @GreedyRunner @Iker_Erdocia @jamphelshunu1 @jasminekimw @jessAvg_ @john_zinda @JosephRoche19 @KristinSnoddon @kuengawangmo @LanguageFreedo1 @lttwild @MirandaHansenH2
https://twitter.com/GJosephRoche/status/1352189983906435076
Third lecture, January 21, 1976.
In today’s lecture, Foucault will briefly revisit his discussion of sovereignty from the last lecture, before moving on to the main topic of the lecture series: war. Today we will learn the meaning of the series' title: SOCIETY MUST BE DEFENDED.
No other country in the world platforms Neo Nazis quite like Australian media. Now they're on their way to the US to apply it to an expanding white nationalist terror movement
Had to write a new post. There are no more chances left. This is life or death
https://ketanjoshi.co/2021/01/17/there-are-no-more-chances/
