06/05/2026
Over 240,000 people around the world were killed in conflict-related violence in 2025, according to the ACLED Conflict Index. The wars in Ukraine and Palestine drove levels of violence, contributing to more than 40% of conflict events. Civil wars in Myanmar and Sudan remained at high levels, while gang violence also continued to fuel instability globally.
How can rule of law help transform conflict zones?
In our Rule of Law in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding course led by Prof. Saba who has been engaged in international affairs for over 40 years, students tackled this challenge head-on. The curriculum examines the intersection of governance and development across international, national, and local contexts, and asks students to analyze the root causes of conflict, illicit power structures, factors of resistance, and the level of buy-in to reform.
This year, student groups focused on Lebanon, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Philippines, and Colombia, each exploring a specific conflict context and developing actionable proposals for implementing rule of law modalities in transitional settings.
Their final recommendations centered on one critical question: what rule of law approach can address the true drivers of conflict? We were inspired by their rigorous analysis and practical solutions; proof that rule of law isn't just theory, but a powerful tool for sustainable peace.