Political Crimes and Social Deaths: Voicing the Absences and Silences of the Missing

An international symposium hosted by RMIT's Social Equity Research Centre and the Social Change Enabling Impact Platform.

This symposium seeks to address how the issues of unresolved loss affect families and communities of the missing persons who vanished in conflicts, while fleeing violence or were made "disappeared" by perpetrators of war crimes and genocide. This hybrid event brings together renowned international scholars, experts, practitioners, artists, human rights activists, survivors, journalists and community leaders from across the world.

Please note, this is a hybrid event that will be delivered online and in person at the following locations: 

  • Thursday, 2:30pm - 5:00pm. Venue: RMIT, Building 1, room 01.02.17 Council Chamber
  • Friday, 9:30am - 5:00pm. Venue: RMIT, Building 80, room 80.02.07

The link for online access to this symposium will be emailed to registrants closer to the event date.

Presenters:

  • Kathryne Bomberger (International Commission on Missing Persons)
  • Prof Sarah Wagner (George Washington University)
  • Dr Tam Ngo (NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies)
  • Prof Anne Gilliland (University of California, Los Angeles)
  • Dr Jasmin Mujanović (New Lines Institute)
  • Dr Ehlimana Memišević (University of Sarajevo)
  • Gretchen Shirm, writer
  • Refik Hodžić, author/director (European Institute of Peace)
  • Dr Nedžad Avdić, author
  • Dr Erna Rijsdijk (Netherlands Defence Academy)
  • A/Prof Lia Kent (Australian National University)
  • Asaf Ali Lone (Australian National Academy
  • Dr Hasan Nuhanović (Memorial Centre Srebrenica)
  • Dr Amina Hadžiomerović (University of Amsterdam)
  • Dr Hikmet Karčić (Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity)
  • Vedran Drakulić, AOM (Gandel Foundation)
  • Sani Kajtasi (SBS Radio)
  • A/Prof Damien Grenfell (RMIT University)
  • Dr Adis Elias Fejzić, visual artist (RMIT University)
  • Natalie Kamber, writer (RMIT University)
  • Sylvia Thompson (RMIT University)
  • David Calf, visual artist (RMIT University)
  • Dr Peter Phipps (RMIT University)
  • Prof Hariz Halilovich (RMIT University)

Special performance by Jasna Dolić: "Što te nema".

Convenor: Prof Hariz Halilovich (Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University)

 

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information