Virtual Reality for Peace

This workshop will explore how Virtual Reality (VR) can be applied in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and humanitarian efforts. Bringing together an interdisciplinary group of experts, the workshop will showcase real-world examples of how VR has been used to foster dialogue, conflict resolution and crisis response. Practical considerations, such as access to technology and the challenges of creating meaningful VR experiences, will be balanced with conceptual discussions on the ethical and design principles required for this new frontier. This session aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering insights on the possibilities and constraints of using VR for peace efforts, and equipping participants with ideas on how to advance this innovative approach in their own work.

Speakers

• Martin Wählisch -  Associate Professor of Transformative Technologies, Innovation and Global Affairs, University of Birmingham
• Melissa Jaimes Ochoa - Public Information Officer, UN Mission in Colombia
• Cynthia Swana - Independent Documentary Director Lebanon
• Fabian Vetter - Independent VR Producer Germany

Moderator

• Jérôme Duberry - Managing Director of the Tech Hub, Academic Advisor of the Executive Programme in Diplomacy, Negotiation and Policy-Making, and Senior Researcher at the Albert Hirschman Center on Democracy (AHCD), Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Online moderators

• Sofie Schönborn - Research Associate, Technical University Munich (TUM), TUM School of Governance
• Auxane Boch - Research Associate, Technical University Munich (TUM), TUM School of Management
• Pedro dos Santos Maia - Research Assistant, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)
• Felix Kufus - Adviser for Digital Peacemaking, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation

Interpretation

Interpretation services are available for all events during Geneva Peace Week, both on-site and online, through Wordly AI.

Live streaming

All events during Geneva Peace Week will be available on-site and online.

Main organiser

• University of Birmingham, Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government (CAIG)
• Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Co-Organizers

• United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia
• Technical University Munich (TUM) Think Tank