As the world enters a period of global disorder, marked by proxy conflicts, economic warfare, and the collapse of diplomatic consensus, the question of “peace” becomes more pertinent than ever. Peace is not merely the absence of war but an active political project that must be fought for, especially when powerful states redefine aggression as a national interest and treat global disorder as an unavoidable new normal.
This lecture seeks to discuss how imperial competition deepens inequalities and normalizes militarism, thereby threatening global peace as rival powers are now actively reshaping the world order through coercion and spheres of influence. The stakes today could not be higher: without deliberate, organized struggle for peace, imperial expansion will continue to fragment the globe into hostile blocs, leaving justice, climate cooperation, and human security as casualties of inaction. This lecture shall also discuss the historical antecedents for global movements fighting for peace and against imperialist aggression through regional and transnational collaborations.
Panelists:
Speaker:
Professor Dr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram. Jomo is Research Advisor, Khazanah Research Institute, Fellow, Academy of Science, Malaysia, and Emeritus Professor, University of Malaya. He was United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, Assistant Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Founder-Chair, International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs), and President, Malaysian Social Science Association.
Discussant:
- Dr Farwa Sial (via Zoom), Head of Research and Advocacy- Asia Region IDEAS. Research Associate. Department of Economics. SOAS.
- Dr. Sh Fatimah Alzahrah, Deputy Dean (Academic and Internationalisation), International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM)
- 21st May 2026 (Thursday)
- 4.30 PM – 6.30PM
- Senate Hall, Level 5, Muhammad Abdur Rauf Building, IIUM Gombak, Kuala Lumpur
This forum is co-hosted by Citizens International, ScholarIIUM, Office of the Deputy Rector (Research, Innovation and Development), IIUM, and Palestine Centre of Excellence – PACE. We hope to bringing together critical voices on the challenges shaping our shared future.
We look forward to seeing you there!
