Nculture's Page

What motivated you (or your organization) to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

After witnessing conflict in my native South Afrika, I wanted to understand the effects of conflict in more depth, both in a professional sense and through academic exploration. Subsequently, I have spent 18 years "in the field" professionally in communities affected by conflict & colonization. When I returned, to work towards First Elections, I witnessed many miracles - all man-made. I am now born again in my deep faith in humanity's own ability to solve & resolve, with dignity & grace, when it is effectively harnessed & given the most careful, therapeutic after-care. SA has not had the luxury of this last stage in the healing process. It is a lesson learned for the world of peace research & activism & future policy-makers. Lest we forget, it will come back to haunt us all, like Afghanistan, like Pakistan, like Kashmir, like Israel, like Palestine. It is all about unresolved trauma...

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

I am an independent Video Journalist, with 18 years' field experience, specialising in issues concerning peoples affected by conflict. I also have completed the coursework for a Masters degree in Peace & Conflict Studies at the European University Centre for Peace Studies.
Freelance client list includes:
Al Jazeera English Videoblog (2008)
Kate Dowd Casting for Dreamworks (2006)
Channel Nine Australia-"60 Minutes" program (2006)
UNAMA OCPI (2005)
CBA America-"60 Minutes" program (2005)
Ministry of Women's Affairs (2005-6)
ABC TV Australia (2003, 2005, 2006)
GTZ, The Gender Mainstreaming Office, Kabul (2005-6)
Cooperazione Italiana, Women’s Projects, Kabul (2005)
Channel NewsAsia (2004-Afghan Presidential Elections)
SBS TV Australia (1994, 2002, 2003)
Independent Elections Commission of South Afrika (1994)

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

Professional media/elections experience:
Afghanistan (2003 & 2004-6 effects of conflict, gender issues, security, independent overland travel & lots of Afghan cultures)
India (2002-Gujarat riots & terrorism)
Australia (1989-2002-indigenous/human rights, politics),
South Afrika (1993 & 1994- pre-election, election & post-election issues)
Mozambique (1993 pre-election & 1994 election periods)
Malawi (1993-on referendum for multi-party democracy )
China (1992-Beijing-Urumqi)
Thailand (1992-pre-elections after student riots in May dissolved the military junta Govt).

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

Moveable feast

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Video Journalist trading as Nomad Culture

How many years professional experience do you have ?

15+

What is your personal or organizational website?

http://www.lightstalkers.org/flavia_abdurahman

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.hsrgroup.org/

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.cooperativeresearch.org

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Conflict Resolution, Culture, Dialogue, Media

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Communication, Research

What are some of your current areas of research (if any)?

Lessons learned from NATO experience in Afghanistan
Emergence of the civil-military phenomenon
International presence & motives in Afghanistan
Dealing with failed states - institutionalised AND progressive approaches
General interest in staying updated about peace-building/conflict resolution approaches
General interest in the geopolitics of South Asia, eastern & southern Afrika & Oceania.

If appropriate feel free to list several of your (or your organization's) publications

http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/uselections2008/2008/11/20081147...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtVmRgzSlPQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYVFnzh-ggU
http://vimeo.com/2341854
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/s988742.htm
http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/morearch.php3?date=2002-08-07&ti...

http://vimeo.com/2352150
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/110705/1/.html
http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&&ti...