About the author(s):
Promoting information sharing and community building between individuals and organisations working on issues related to armed groups and international law. Providing updates on news stories and publicize academic journal articles and seminars, talks and conferences on issues related to armed groups.
Next Thursday 17th April between 13-15.00, there is an online event launching a new report on engaging armed groups for the protection of cultural heritage entitled ‘Unlikely Allies: Engaging Armed Groups for the Protection of Cultural Heritage‘. The research, conducted by Aleph Strategies and the Centre on Armed Groups, was funded by the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund. It explores the complex and often overlooked role that non-state armed groups (NSAGs) can play in safeguarding cultural heritage and examines the potential for engagement as a means of conflict transformation.
Through extensive research, first-hand experience, case studies, and expert interviews, the report sheds light on the motivations that drive NSAGs to protect—or destroy—cultural heritage, offering a nuanced analysis of the risks, opportunities, and strategies for engagement. The launch event will feature a presentation by two of the report authors, Jonathan Rider and Ashley Jackson, followed by a curated Q&A session.
Report Authors
Jonathan Rider is a Director and Co-Founder at Aleph Strategies, which conducts research and evaluations at the intersection of cultural heritage, peacebuilding and development. With an academic background in archaeology, Jonathan has previously worked for UNESCO and the Aga Khan Foundation in Afghanistan. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Member of the ICOMOS UK Committee for Cultural Tourism. Jonathan was the team lead for this project and report co-author..
Dr. Ashley Jackson is the Co-Director at the Centre on Armed Groups, where she leads research and dialogue on armed groups, conflict, and civilian protection. She has advised the UN, NGOs, and governments on humanitarian access, political economy, and engagement with armed actors. She has a long track record of work on the conflict in Afghanistan and on the Taliban, including her book Negotiating Survival: Civilian-Insurgent Relations in Afghanistan (Oxford University Press, 2021). She holds a PhD from King’s College London and is based Nairobi. Ashley was a report co-author.
Christopher Rider was a principle report co-author. Chris is an independent consultant with experience in the design and delivery of programmes to help prevent and counter violent extremism, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. During over 30 years in the British Army, he has served on several peace-keeping and peace-building missions, including the Balkans and the Middle East. His specialisations include defence diplomacy, security-sector reform, training and education, leadership and programme design and management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Durham University, a master’s degree in Defence Administration from Cranfield University and a Certificate in Functional Arabic from the University of Westminster.
Pascal Bongaard was a principle report co-author. He is Co-Director at the Centre on Armed Groups. He has more than 20 years’ experience in engaging armed groups towards compliance with international humanitarian law, including on the protection of cultural heritage. With an academic background on history, Pascal has published widely on the issue and coordinated Geneva Call’s landmark study “Culture under Fire”. He was Co-Investigator of the research project https://words2deeds.org/ on armed groups’ practice and interpretation of international humanitarian and human rights norms funded by UK Research and Innovation.