With the dramatic changes in the composition and wielding of global and regional power over the last decade, and especially over the last year, international conflict mediation has neither kept up with nor adapted to the resulting geopolitical shifts. Traditional mediation actors have both changed and diversified, rendering conflict mediation more complex and fragmented. The UN's role has been significantly diminished while new players have appeared, giving rise to new threats as well as opportunities. 

We will welcome our guest speaker, Mr. Robert Warkins, who is currently a Research Associate at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. Mr. Warkins has 35 years of experience working in political, humanitarian, development, and post-conflict recovery areas with international organizations, principally in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. From 2018-2020 Mr. Watkins was the Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division and Assistant Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) after having served for many years in the United Nations as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Lebanon (2011-2014) and Afghanistan (2009-2011) at the level of Assistant Secretary General. 

This event is open to the public with prior registration. Priority may be given to UTokyo students if seats are full.  Further details will be sent via email to the registrars.

Date & Time: 15 April 2026, 17:00 - 18:00

Venue: Komaba Campus, The University of Tokyo

Language: English (without interpretation)

Registration: https://forms.gle/kzRbNYhxCTV4pHCF8