Peace Through Culture: A Cultural Preservation and Decolonization Initiative to Strengthen Human Security in Western Sahara
Institutional Affiliation
New York University
Start Date
January 2026
End Date
January 2026
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
On-campus
Proposal Description
This presentation discusses a culturally grounded peacebuilding intervention aimed at addressing identity-based grievances in Western Sahara through the lens of decolonization and human security. Since 1884, the Sahrawi people have lived under successive forms of colonial rule, starting with Spanish control and then Moroccan occupation, which has been marked by forced displacement, cultural suppression, and marginalization. As Morocco advances efforts to integrate the Sahrawi population into its nation, the preservation of Sahrawi identity remains critically at risk. Drawing on positive peace theory and grounded in the work of scholars such as Lederach, Schirch, and Ury, this proposal argues that sustainable peace in the region requires more than political negotiation; it demands recognition, cultural self-expression, and equitable relationships.
The central idea of this proposed initiative is the potential benefit of establishing co-managed cultural heritage centers in Western Sahara. These centers would serve as safe spaces for documenting, preserving, and celebrating Sahrawi culture, while facilitating inclusive, community-led events that foster cross-cultural understanding between Sahrawi and Moroccan communities. This initiative would also utilize art in its many forms for Sahrawis and Moroccans to connect without the pressure of politics or the fear of violence. Art can serve as a bridge between them and as a way to speak to each other, even when words might be difficult to find.
The methodology is rooted in comparative analysis, drawing from similar cultural preservation initiatives in Cyprus, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland to demonstrate the potential of shared heritage and inclusive programming in transforming intergroup relations. This presentation, which is planned to be presented on-campus, contributes to peace and conflict studies by bridging global frameworks for cultural rights with local approaches to human security. It illustrates how community-based, culturally sensitive interventions can promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen both local identity and global solidarity.
Peace Through Culture: A Cultural Preservation and Decolonization Initiative to Strengthen Human Security in Western Sahara
This presentation discusses a culturally grounded peacebuilding intervention aimed at addressing identity-based grievances in Western Sahara through the lens of decolonization and human security. Since 1884, the Sahrawi people have lived under successive forms of colonial rule, starting with Spanish control and then Moroccan occupation, which has been marked by forced displacement, cultural suppression, and marginalization. As Morocco advances efforts to integrate the Sahrawi population into its nation, the preservation of Sahrawi identity remains critically at risk. Drawing on positive peace theory and grounded in the work of scholars such as Lederach, Schirch, and Ury, this proposal argues that sustainable peace in the region requires more than political negotiation; it demands recognition, cultural self-expression, and equitable relationships.
The central idea of this proposed initiative is the potential benefit of establishing co-managed cultural heritage centers in Western Sahara. These centers would serve as safe spaces for documenting, preserving, and celebrating Sahrawi culture, while facilitating inclusive, community-led events that foster cross-cultural understanding between Sahrawi and Moroccan communities. This initiative would also utilize art in its many forms for Sahrawis and Moroccans to connect without the pressure of politics or the fear of violence. Art can serve as a bridge between them and as a way to speak to each other, even when words might be difficult to find.
The methodology is rooted in comparative analysis, drawing from similar cultural preservation initiatives in Cyprus, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland to demonstrate the potential of shared heritage and inclusive programming in transforming intergroup relations. This presentation, which is planned to be presented on-campus, contributes to peace and conflict studies by bridging global frameworks for cultural rights with local approaches to human security. It illustrates how community-based, culturally sensitive interventions can promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen both local identity and global solidarity.