As the first annual report with facts and figures on progress, publication and plans is written and submitted to the steering group for scrutiny, this blog is more of a personal reflection on the past 12 months.
An ode, in pictures, to the MaGPIE team and its journey …
MaGPIE was conceived to innovatively, critically and attentively grapple with mass graves across the world. Building on our prior work, it seeks to increase our understanding of mass graves, develop a tighter, universal human rights framework for engagement with mass graves to then pioneer practice through policies.
On 18th January 2023 the message came in that the evaluations were ready to view: MaGPIE would fly!
First up, a fabulous logo design, full of meaning and care. Big shout out to Copenhagen-based designer Henrik Engedal for his concept. We love it. And a sign near the door confirms, MaGPIE is off the ground!
In comes Research Project Manager Emily; here, fittingly, in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague.
The duo Emily and David keep the whole team on track especially at our monthly team meetings.
The coat-rack in our refurbished office indicates the arrival of our gifted data-researchers, Ellen and Diego, to start the creation of the global map of mass graves.
Probably one of my favourite pictures: we received a nomination for the Vice Chancellor Award (thank you Dr Melanie Stockton-Brown) and here we are trying to get a good shot of the team: meet Ellen, Diego and Ian!
Then, of course, there is Ellie – here pictured on our TukTuk ride in Phnom Penh on the way to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
The Coffee Cups: One of the first things in the morning – and still a real treat and joy – is to make a cup of coffee for members of the team. We love coffee and any excuse to chat over espresso. Also, with the nature of the information we are exposed to, a coffee, and a debrief is an important part of the teams wellbeing and connectedness.
Amazingly, we won in the category of ‘Advancing Knowledge’! A happy, and proud, team.
As part of the work, we do get to visit some extraordinary places where mankind has failed itself miserably. Here a stupa at the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cambodia has many mass graves from the Khmer Rouge era (1975-79) but most remain un-investigated…
And a colourfully painted commemoration house in Guatemala near Comalapa. The compound comprises mass graves and stone structures housing human remains, some identified – some not. A wall of memory shows images of those who were disappeared and a ‘stone of memory’ lists the names of those known to have disappeared from across Guatemala.
This one needs an explanation: we did a teambuilding exercise in an escape room – the theme was ‘Alice in Puzzleland’ and the one puzzle that had us in stitches was Ian trying to remember the order in which ‘white roses’ had to be painted red. We were not allowed phones or cameras for fear of cheating, but the event is worthy of remembering, hence a place holder here.
And before the first year is out – we grow again:
September 2024 sees the starting of Dalia and Anna. Welcome to MaGPIE!
As the MaGPIE team and project settle in, and our capacity grows, the way ahead is to reach out to affected or interested parties, experts and organisations to ensure that the team hears voices from around the globe to inform our research.
