Multimedia

Tue, 06 Dec 2011
Afghanistan: Where did we go wrong?

After a decade of deepening international involvement, the Western-led coalition can point to only limited achievements and is preparing to draw down. Enough time and distance has now passed to permit careful analysis of what drove the international engagement, what were the limitations, and what are the implications for the future for Afghanistan as well as for international intervention in other conflict situations. Astri Suhrke, Senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute, and author of When More is Less. The International Project in Afghanistan (London: Hurst&Co, and New York: Columbia University Press, 2011). Norwegian edition: Eksperimentet Afghanistan. Det internasjonale engasjementet etter Taliban regimets fall (Oslo: Spartacus, 2011). Jonathan Steele, foreign correspondent for the Guardian and columnist on international affairs, and author of Ghosts of Afghanistan. The Haunted Background (London: Portobello Books 2011). Host: Michael Alvarez, Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Politics, UiB.

Tue, 01 Nov 2011
Crimes of the Establishment

Some reports claim that corruption costs Africa nearly 150 billion dollars a year, compared to only 20 billion dollars donated to the continent in aid. As a hard hitting journalistic documentary, the film is presented truthfully, taking care not to make it didactic or to give it a ‘spin’, but to document the impact that a seemingly harmless bribe to a customs official ultimately has across the whole system.

Tue, 01 Nov 2011
The Laundry Bill

Every day, billions in international currencies flow in and out of accounts across the world. Money from crime, fraud, drug trafficking, smuggling, corruption, terrorism and more has created one of the world’s largest industries. This industry is said to be worth 1.5 trillion dollars a year and is called money laundering.

Wed, 03 Aug 2011
Challenging the injustice of poverty in South Asia

Prof. Rehman Sobhan challenges the traditional definition of poverty as a form of income deprivation. He redefines poverty a process that excludes significant segments of society from more equitable participation in development opportunities and in decision making. Sobhan identifies a variety of operational ideas that can be used by policy makers, political activists and civil society advocacy groups, to build a more inclusive society in South Asia.

Tue, 21 Jun 2011
The Dual Nature of Local Content in Angola's Oil and Gas Industry

What effects can be expected of "national/local content" policies in the oil and gas industry? With a particular focus on Angola this seminar scrutinizes the politics of oil and development in Africa. Even if in place for decades, have local content policies increased the benefits accruing to the nation from its resource wealth? Have they complemented foreign-owned companies with indigenous ones, or expatriate staff with nationals? In these countries, what is the balance of development and elite accumulation resulting from the actions of governments and their international partners in the current expansion of the oil and gas industry?

Wed, 15 Jun 2011
China in challenged democracies in Africa

While the struggle for social and political freedom seems to succeed in northern Africa, many regimes south of Sahara tightens their grip on the political space and civil rights. Protests and demonstrations are met with bullets and prison. What is happening to democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa? What are the political and economic implications of China's presence in Africa? What political challenges threatens democratization and why? Professor Deborah Brautigam, American University, Washington DC, explores the political and economic implications of the growing presence of China in Africa.

Fri, 20 May 2011
Sudan: Ready for divorce? 3/3

9 July 2011 South Sudan will get its independence. Despite a clear result in the referendum, there are still many unresolved issues. Dr Luka Biong, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Sudan Government and Dr Abdelwahab Al-Effendi, Reader at the University of Westminster look at the most pertinent challenges for a happy divorce in Africa's largest country. Introduction by CMI's Sudan expert Gunnar M. Sørbø.Adbel Gaffar introduces Dr Peter Adwo Nyaba.

Fri, 20 May 2011
Sudan: Ready for divorce? 2/3

9 July 2011 South Sudan will get its independence. Despite a clear result in the referendum, there are still many unresolved issues. ;Dr Luka Biong, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Sudan Government and Dr Abdelwahab Al-Effendi, Reader at the University of Westminster look at the most pertinent challenges for a happy divorce in Africa's largest country. Introduction by CMI's Sudan expert Gunnar M. Sørbø.

Thu, 19 May 2011
Sudan: Ready for divorce? 1/3

9 July 2011 South Sudan will get its independence. Despite a clear result in the referendum, there are still many unresolved issues. Dr Luka Biong, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Sudan Government and Dr Abdelwahab Al-Effendi, Reader at the University of Westminster look at the most pertinent challenges for a happy divorce in Africa's largest country. Introduction by CMI's Sudan expert Gunnar M. Sørbø. Host: Professor Abdel Ghaffar M. Ahmed, University of Khartoum/Ahfad University for Women/CMI

Tue, 10 May 2011
Judicial Independence and Human Rights in Latin America: Violations, Politics, and Prosecution

Elin Skaar, in conversation with Bernt Hagtvet, presents her new book Judicial Independence and Human Rights in Latin America: Violations, Politics and Prosecution.In many Latin American countries, former military officers are now facing charges of torture, murder, forced disappearance, and genocide committed under the dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s.Why is this happening now, years after the transition to democracy? And why are courts in some countries leading the way? This comparative analysis, focusing on the key countries of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, explores the complex relationship between executive politics and judicial action, showing that judicial independence is a crucial factor in prosecution. It will engage Latin Americanists as well as all who are concerned with justice and human rights around the world.Elin Skaar ;is Senior Researcher at Chr. Michelsen Institute.Bernt Hagtvet

Tue, 05 Apr 2011
Impressions from Tahrir

CMI senior research Nefissa Naguib tells the story of the revolution at Tahrir Square in Egypt. She was present during the uprising that ended Hosni Mobarak's regime. Listen to her impressions, and see her pictures from the Lotus revolution. Slideshow from the presentation can be found on slideshare.

Tue, 01 Feb 2011
Waging Peace in Sudan

As Minister of International Development of Norway, Hilde F. Johnson played a pivotal role in the CPA negotiations. She discusses her new book Waging Peace in Sudan: The Inside Story of the Negotiations that Ended Africa’s Longest Civil War with Gunnar M. Sørbø (Senior Researcher, CMI). They discuss the build-up to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and look at the challenges facing Sudan.

Mon, 29 Nov 2010
China in Africa: What role does China play in Angola's reconstruction programme?

The prevailing view in the burgeoning literature on China's engagement in Africa is the dominance of the Chinese Dragon rendering the African counterpart as passive actors. Lucy Corkin challenges this assumption. She will focus on the case of China in Angola and explore the role of the Angolan government in the evolvement of Chinese-Angolan relations. China's role in Angola is particularly massive and major loans have been provided for Angola's reconstruction in exchange for access to Angola's oil. Loans from the Chinese Exim Bank have been a main instrument in facilitating the Chinese presence in Angola. Through an examination of the process and mechanism of the loans' negotiation Lucy Corkin will show how the Angolan government helped shape the negotiations and their results. Lucy Corkin is a Research Associate at the Africa-Asia Centre, School of Oriental and African Studies in London where she is also pursuing her PhD on China's role in Angola. She was previously a Projects Director at the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. She is the author of numerous reports and studies on China in Africa.

Wed, 03 Nov 2010
Norway as a Peace Nation: Responding to New Challenges

Norway, a small state at the northern fringes of Europe, is a major promoter of peace, particularly over the two decades following the end of the Cold War. Norway has played a major role as a peace broker, from Guatemala to the Sudan. It has also been a staunch supporter of developing new international law, particularly on the humanitarian disarmament agenda with its role in developing the treaties on antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions. Over the past 9 years, Norway has had military forces in Afghanistan, a reflection of its NATO membership. Norway’s peace engagement has been based on a domestic political consensus, but as of late, has been exposed to increasing criticism. Why has Norway come to see peace and reconciliation as a major pillar of its foreign policy? Does Norway’s engagement make a difference in the world? How does Norway adapt to changing global realities, as US hegemony is increasingly challenged by the so-called emerging powers, and as more and more states formulate their own peace policies? Kristian Berg Harpviken is Director of the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO). He is engaged in research on war-related migration and social networks; Regional (in-)security; peace building and peacemaking; methodology in contexts of crisis and conflict. He has a special focus on Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries.

Fri, 29 Oct 2010
Reform in the Congo: Status and Scenarios

Africa’s third largest country has undergone a transition from war and dictatorship. Since 2002 when the internationalized civil war ended, the Congolese government and its international backers have pursued a variety of major reforms, including a new constitution; elections; decentralization; reform of the judiciary; police and army; and reforms in the management of the country’s vast natural resources. What is the status of these reform efforts today, eight years into the fragile peace and one year ahead Congo’s second post-war elections? Theodore Trefon is the Head of the Contemporary History Section at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium. He is the author of a number of publications on the DRC, a country he has followed closely for more than 20 years.

Thu, 21 Oct 2010
The Provision of Resources in Pursuit of Strategic Interests: The Great Game to Today

While the international community presents itself as striving to bring good governance to Afghanistan and address the many constraints which exist to the provision of adequate livelihoods and of basic human rights, it is the strategic and other interests of the US government which largely determine the reality on the ground. In consequence, the US can no more hold the moral high ground than could Britain, in the 19th century, and the Soviet Union, in 1979. Speakers: Peter Marsden was Coordinator for the British Aid Agencies in Afghanistan group from 1989 to 2005. He is the author of “Afghanistan - Aid, Armies and Empires” (2009) and “The Taliban: War and Religion in Afghanistan” (2002). Arne Strand is Assistant Director and Research Director at Chr. Michelsen Institute. He has been working on Afghanistan and Pakistan for over 20 years.

Wed, 06 Oct 2010
Illicit financial flow and their impact on development

Raymond Baker, Director of Global Financial Integrity and the author of Capitalism’s Achilles Heel: Dirty Money and How to Renew the Free-Market System talks about the problems of illicit financial flows and the linkages between corruption, money laundering, and poverty… and ways to curtail the problem for the benefit of enhanced global development and security.October 1 2010, Bergen Resource Centre for International Development, Norway.

Fri, 24 Sep 2010
Drømmekrigen

Journalist og forfatter Anders Sømme Hammer i samtale med seniorforsker Astri Suhrke.

Mon, 21 Jun 2010
Bergen researchers comment on the elections in Sudan

Gunnar M. Sørbø, Abdel Gaffer M. Ahmed, Liv Tønnesen, Leif Manger, Anders Bjørkelo and Rex Sean O'Fahey comments on the elections in Sudan spring 2010.This is the full session.

Wed, 16 Jun 2010
Comments on the election in Sudan 5/5

Rex Sean O´Fahey comments on the elections in Sudan spring 2010.

Wed, 16 Jun 2010
Comments on the election in Sudan 4/5

Anders Bjørkelo and Leif Manger comments on the elections in Sudan.

Tue, 08 Jun 2010
Comments on the election in Sudan 3/5

Liv Tønnesen comments on women´s participation in politics in Sudan. Part 3 of 5 experts on Sudan.

Mon, 07 Jun 2010
Comments on the election in Sudan 2/5

Abdel Gaffer M. Ahmed comments on the elections in Sudan spring 2010. This is part 2 of 5 expert comments on Sudan.

Mon, 07 Jun 2010
Comments on the election in Sudan 1/5

Gunnar M. Sørbø comments on the CPA and the elections in Sudan spring 2010. This is part 1 of 5 expert comments on Sudan.

Wed, 23 Jun 2010
Literary Salon with Albie Sachs

Detained in solitary confinement, tortured, exiled and eventually blown up by a car bomb. From an early age Albie Sachs played a prominent part in the struggle for justice in South Africa. Later in life he helped draft South Africa’s post-apartheid Constitution, and served as a member of the Constitutional Court for fifteen years. Sachs talks to host Siri Gloppen about his life and role as a judge in the formative years of post-apartheid South Africa.

Thu, 24 Jun 2010
The Chr Michelsen lectue 2010 Albie Sachs

Albie Sachs lectures on the The role of courts in social transformation. Detained in solitary confinement, tortured, exiled and eventually blown up by a car bomb. From an early age Albie Sachs played a prominent part in the struggle for justice in South Africa. Later in life he helped draft South Africa’s post-apartheid Constitution, and served as a member of the Constitutional Court for fifteen years.The Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) is an independent centre for research on international development and policy. ;CMI was founded in 1930, and is located in Bergen, Norway. www.cmi.no