Rejoice Wadiam Papka, a Ph.D. candidate working on the Prosperity and Peace Pathways project, participated in the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding held in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 19th to 21st, 2024. During the conference, Ms. Papka contributed to a panel discussion on “Defueling Violent Conflict and Climate Crises in the Drylands,” where she presented her research on using a Social-Ecological Systems (SES) approach to analyze climate-conflict dynamics in the Lake Chad region.
Her work highlighted the complex interaction between environmental degradation and socio-political factors, demonstrating how this interplay exacerbates vulnerabilities and amplifies conflict in the region. Additionally, she showcased how violent conflict undermines both social and environmental systems, exacerbating the impacts of climate change.
Ms. Papka’s presentation emphasized the importance of a systems-thinking approach that integrates both social and ecological dimensions when addressing complex issues like climate-conflict relations. This approach is particularly vital in regions like Lake Chad, where agriculture is central to livelihoods and local economies. By employing this holistic framework, her research not only identifies the root causes of these challenges but also uncovers opportunities to develop policies that foster sustainable peace and resilience in the face of climate change.
