The Speakers
Nadia Bernaz
Nadia Bernaz is a lecturer in law at the University of Middlesex and specialises in public international law. She previously held a lectureship in human rights law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway. She holds a PhD in public international law from the University Paul Cézanne,Aix-Marseille. Her monograph, Le droit international et la peine de mort, was published in 2008.
Alice Wilson
Alice Wilson is a third year PhD student in social anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Her dissertation focuses on state-buliding in the Saharawi refugee camps near Tindouf, with particular interest in democratization, judicial reform and marriage ceremonies. She conducted 24 months of language training and fieldwork.
Abstract
Recent democratization measures of a liberation movement in a post-conflict setting: the case of Polisario and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Like other liberation movements, Polisario has long aspired to the practice of democracy. Yet, the circumstances of prolonged exile, a divided and diasporic national community, very limited resources and lack of resolution for the conflict present significant challenges to practising democracy in
the Saharawi refugee camps. This paper analyses how the structures of democratic practice in the camps reflect an interpretation of democracy
that accommodates the needs and opportunities implicit in the post-conflict setting, thereby challenging the norms of the dominant EuroAmerican notion of democracy. The scope of the paper includes the role of the Saharawi Parliament, public discussion meetings, electoral constituencies and the participation of women in public spheres. The research is based on 24 months of language training and fieldwork with Saharawi, with 20 months
spent in the camps.
Jim Loughran
Jim loughran is head of Media and Communications with Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, an international NGO based in Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Front Line was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk, people who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Front Line aims to address some of the needs identified by defenders themselves, including protection, networking, training and access to international bodies that can take action on their behalf.
Jim Loughran recently traveled to Morocco and Western Sahara meeting human rights defenders and hearing at first hand their evidence of harassment, intimidation and arrest by members of the Moroccan security services.
Dr Tara Shine
Dr Tara Shine is an Environmental Scientist & TV Presenter.
A consummate public speaker, Dr Tara Shine's wealth of knowledge and expertise make her a sought after presence at environmental and science events. Tara was a presenter on one of the BBC’s most ambitious projects Expedition Borneo, where she joined the expedition team to explore previously uncharted territory in search of new wildlife species. She also presented the acclaimed BBC2 series Lost Crocodiles of the Pharaohs – a personal journey exploring Tara’s own discovery of crocodiles in Mauritania, where the experts said they could not exist.
Tara works as an Environmental Consultant at government level for several EU countries as well as for the World Bank and UN, tackling issues such as biodiversity, climate change and poverty reduction in developing nations. She continues to carry out field research with Universities and supports a masters programme in sustainable rural development in Ethiopia.
Professor Willem Van Cotthem
Honorary Professor University of Ghent (Belgium) / Honorary Professor of the Antwerp University and Scientific Consultant for Desertification and Sustainable Development.
Professor Van Cotthem has worked extensively throughout the globe and is one of the world's leading experts in desertification.
He is renowned for his work in soil conditioning. He invented the TerraCottem-method for plant growth in drought and desertification affected areas.
He has conducted extensive research work on afforestation or reforestation projects and on small-scale agricultural or horticultural projects for food production. His TerraCottem-method has been applied to humanitarian projects all over the world including community gardens for women and school gardens.
Senia Bachir-Abderahman
Senia is described by her colleges as "a tireless advocate for the some 200,000 refugees from Western Sahara living in camps in Algeria. Senia Bachir-Abderahman, who was born and raised in an Algerian refugee camp and is without citizenship from her home country, has spoken annually at the United Nations since 2006 on behalf of the Western Saharawi plea for independence".
Senia received three awards, last February 9, for her work as a student at Mount Holyoke College in the USA, for her commitment for her people's freedom and right to self-determination.
Mark Mc Loughlin
Mark McLoughlin is a documentary producer/director with independent production company Bang Bang Teo. He produces documentary films on
cultural and human rights issues. He is a qualified Journalist and Sound Engineer and is an accomplished musician and artist. He has
worked in different facets of contemporary art, music and journalism for many years. He has produced many of his own art films which have
been shown throughout Europe and the USA. In recent years he has pursued various human rights actions in response to the injustices
being carried out in Western Sahara.
Adam Komorowski
Adam Komorowski, is the Head of Operations for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Africa. MAG currently run operations in eight countries
in Africa dealing with Remnants of Conflict that include land mines, unexploded ordnance and small arms and light weapons. Adam has been working with MAG for 5 years in a UK based operations management role which involves coordination in all of the programmes.