On 5 December 2025, UNA Coventry volunteer Estelle Marufu delivered the presentation Impact of War on Communities at Coventry College. The following is a summary by International Relations Lecturer Dr Adenike (Nikki) Olasanmi of what the presentation covered. The presentation was also attended by UNA volunteer Grace Taiwo also attended the presentation. The presentation was developed by UNA volunteer Adreen Fernando.

Left to right: Philip Brown, Grace Taiwo, Estelle Marufu, Nikki Olasanmi

The concept of war is multifaceted, with scholars like John Keegan and Hendrik Spruyt highlighting its cultural expressions and large-scale political objectives, distinguishing it from other forms of violence such as genocide.

War often triggers violations of International Humanitarian Law, resulting in civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and the use of prohibited weapons, with mechanisms like the International Criminal Court aiming for accountability despite criticisms of bias.

Historically, war has acted as a “social reset,” driving technological innovation, ending empires, and reshaping global systems, as seen in the post-World War II economic order and Cold War advancements. However, war imposes significant economic burdens, exemplified by the exploitative activities of colonial powers like the British and Dutch East India Companies, while militarised economies risk strategic inflexibility, as seen in the Soviet Union and the US in Vietnam.

Hubris has led to failures in conflicts like Afghanistan, where cultural misunderstandings and overconfidence undermined objectives.

War inflicts psychological trauma on individuals and communities, with effects spanning generations.

Emerging threats, such as AI in warfare, pose risks of autonomous weapons, algorithmic disinformation, and techno-imperialism, exacerbating inequalities and eroding social trust, as seen in Ukraine, where attacks on civilians and infrastructure amplify collective trauma, economic devastation, and global tensions.