Mining for Peace? - Strategic Partnerships in DRC for Sustainable Development and Peace

Hosts: Brot für die Welt, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Service d’Appui au Dévéloppement Régional Intégré (SADRI)

Despite the existing principle of equality and non-discrimination and legal framework on different levels regulating mining sector; in DRC conflicts persist and people live in extreme poverty. Whereas conflicts recur between large mining companies, the state and local communities in Grand-Katanga are the main issue as armed groups in east of DRC are financed through mining activities. The Pandemic of COVID-19 has exacerbated the opacity in the chain delivery and vulnerability of the poor.

Spoilers or Legitimate Interlocutors? Engaging Religious Actors in Peacebuilding

Hosts: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Misereor

The session addressed the ambivalent role of religious actors in peacebuilding. After 9/11, it was mainly violent religious extremism that received ample attention in policy practice and academic research. In recent years, the positive potential of religious actors in peacebuilding has been increasingly harnessed. However, approaches are not always coherent and new dilemmas arise. The parallel session addressed some pertinent questions with regard to examples such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The EU and Conflict Prevention – What Next After the German Presidency?

Hosts: European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)

This session took place a few months after the end of the German EU Presidency and shortly after the publication of the German Guidelines’ Implementation Report. It provided a platform for dialogue between German and European policymakers and civil society experts to discuss lessons learned in order to strengthen the EU’s role as a peace provider.

How Fighting Terrorism Can Harm Civil Society Peace Building and What We Can Do Against It

Hosts: Brot für die Welt

Non-profit organisations (NPOs) around the world face operational and legal restrictions due to counter-terrorism regulations. These are often justified by requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT), which labelled NPOs as being “particularly vulnerable” to being used for financing terrorism up until 2016. This costs NGOS more in terms of time and money needed to look for solutions and causes delays in planned programming, lost windows of opportunity or even discontinued programmes.

Countering Hate: Identifying Gaps and Synergies in Prevention Efforts in Europe

Hosts: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) with the support of GAAMAC, Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)

Hate speech, discrimination and incitement often precede the commission of mass atrocities. Amplified by technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of hate in Europe is a reminder that despite its history, the region is not immune. Many prevention initiatives from civil society and states address the root causes of manifestations of violence. Despite European countries facing similar challenges, there are significant gaps in mutual awareness and interconnectedness across these efforts.

COVID-19 and Local Peacebuilding – Working on Peace and Development in Challenging Times

Hosts: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

While the COVID-19 pandemic is not a cause of violence, it acts as a driver and accelerator of conflict and as an obstacle to peace. In numerous country contexts, the pandemic adds new layers of conflict and risks to an already tense situation, while local peacebuilders and human rights defenders are facing serious challenges and threads. International actors are called upon to stand by their local partners and to provide targeted support for the promotion of peace and sustainable development.

How to Contextualize Digital Tools for Peacebuilding?

Hosts: Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)

Digital innovation requires peacebuilding organizations to adapt to new opportunities and challenges. Academic literature and several donors claim that peacebuilding could be more successful if it integrates more digital tools.

Possible applications range from SMS and WhatsApp to Social Media, and from using satellite images to predictive tools. Due to the sensitive nature of peacebuilding integrating favored digital tools needs to adjust them to the specific local and conflict conditions.

Only the Young – Youth Empowerment and the Prevention of Violent Extremism

Hosts: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Violent extremism and radicalisation are one of the main global challenges. Young people are particularly vulnerable to radicalization and recruitment while also becoming increasingly active in peacebuilding. The session offered young people a space to exchange encountered challenges in preventing violent extremism and ideas to solve them. Speakers included a former Neo-Nazi from Germany, youth activists from Kenya and the Philippines and a keynote input from a survivor of an Al-Shabab attack.

Channeling Local Realities – Civil Society and Power Structures in Syria, Yemen and Libya

Hosts: Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS), Covid Collective, Political Settlements Research Programme (PSRP)

The Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS) expands its work scope in collaboration with the Political Settlements Research Programme (PSRP) University of Edinburgh over the course of 2021. This collaboration allows for sharing best practices and challenges.

By offering an opportunity for peer exchange among local peacebuilding practitioners and researchers in Syria, Libya, and Yemen, our session inscribes itself in the thematic context of relating across boundaries.

Securing Development, Developing Security? Security Assistance, Arms Exports and Do No Harm Reconsidered

Hosts: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Misereor

Decisions about supporting capacities and capabilities of external security forces often rest on the assumption that there is a mutually reinforcing connection between security assistance and political and social progress. A number of European and bilateral security assistance programs refer to that nexus to justify the very existence of these initiatives (e.g. the recently established European Peace Facility, the German Enable and Enhance Initiative or US security assistance programs).

Social Media and Peacebuilding – Challenges and Opportunities I

Hosts: Strengthening Reconciliation Processes in Sri Lanka (SRP)

In view of social media’s role in the dissemination of hate & incitement to violence globally & as a platform to promote & build peace, this session drew on some recent crises such as the hate campaign against the Rohingya people in Myanmar, the Christchurch Mosque Shootings in New Zealand, & the anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka in 2018 & 2019, to explore the policy debate on regulating social media & peacebuilders’ initiatives vis-à-vis storytelling, M&E & capacity building.

Social Media and Peacebuilding - Challenges and Opportunities II

Hosts: Strengthening Reconciliation Processes in Sri Lanka (SRP)

In view of social media’s role in the dissemination of hate & incitement to violence globally & as a platform to promote & build peace, this session drew on some recent crises such as the hate campaign against the Rohingya people in Myanmar, the Christchurch Mosque Shootings in New Zealand, & the anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka in 2018 & 2019, to explore the policy debate on regulating social media & peacebuilders’ initiatives vis-à-vis storytelling, M&E & capacity building.

Diffusing the Urban Time Bomb: Integrating Approaches to Build Peace in the City

Hosts: Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP)

Many cities are grappling with the challenge of social exclusion and violence. Experiences and practice to prevent and reduce social friction exists in separate professional fields. How can they be better integrated?

Sleeping Giant or Roaring Dwarf? What Role for the EU in It’s Eastern Neighbourhood?

Hosts: Brot für die Welt, Center for Balkan Cooperation LOJA, KURVE Wustrow, Platform for Peaceful Conflict Management, YMCA Europe, Armenia

The 2020 Karabakh-war caused a humanitarian crisis and insecurity for the people at EU’s doorstep. It changed the geo-political situation in the South Caucasus. A peace accord is not in sight. People fear continued violence. EU must pay high attention and stay engaged for regional recovery and building positive relations between states and societies in this region. Special focus is required for Karabakh as critical flashpoint for conflicting interests and policies of diverse regional powers.

Conflict Prevention in Fragile Contexts: The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus

Hosts: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF)

The DAC recommendations on the HDP Nexus focus on conflict prevention as a guiding principle for collective engagement in fragile contexts. However, challenges for practical implementation and a common understanding of peace and human security remain. The session discussed the Nexus approach from different perspectives based on the country case study of Nigeria in order to generate insights and guidance for an experience-based approach on conflict prevention.

Weaving Peace – Networks for Peacebuilding in Exchange

Hosts: Civil Peace Service (CPS), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Berghof Foundation

Networks for Peacebuilding foster exchange, joint learning and joint action. They can be focused thematically, regionally or at linking actors across levels. Following the “peace constituency” of John Paul Lederach, peace networks are formed by those people, initiatives and organisations having a sustainable interest in constructive transformation of the conflict (Lederach 1997).

Gender, Climate and Natural Resource Management: Opportunities for Peacebuilding

Hosts: UN Women

This session will explore the gender dynamics in the context of climate change and natural resources management in conflict-affected countries, and reflect on opportunities for peacebuilding through women’s empowerment and enhanced participation in political and economic spaces related to natural resource management.

Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding

Hosts: Berghof Foundation, United States Institute for Peace (USIP)

Nonviolent social movements play a crucial role in mobilizing local populations for peace and setting the stage for conflict transformation. Yet peacebuilders often struggle in knowing how to engage with movements, while movement activists are often skeptical of peacebuilding. In this session we discussed the roles that mass movements play in peace processes, and inversely on the role of mediation and dialogue in conflicts involving mass protest movements.

Transitional Justice and Prevention: Contributions and Challenges

Hosts: International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)

This session examined the relationship between transitional justice and the prevention of human rights violations, different forms of violence and repression, and violent conflict. It discussed evidence provided by case studies conducted by the International Center for Transitional Justice, on Colombia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, and Sierra Leone, as well as a pilot study on Germany commissioned by FriEnt.

Increased Political Participation of Multiple Discriminated Women in Sudan

Hosts: Bana Group for Peace and Development, Sudan, Civil Peace Service (CPS), KURVE Wustrow

Marginalized Sudanese women advocating for the involvement of multiple discriminated groups in the current transformation processes. Their demands:

• marginalized women must be empowered and participate in all sectors of the society.

• All parts of the society (i.e. ethnic groups) have equitable access and representation in decision-making structures.

Environment of Peace – Towards Just and Peaceful Transitions

Hosts: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

The purpose of this debate was to bring together experts to discuss unprecedented environmental security and transition challenges. In dialogue with participants, it explored emerging trends, fresh approaches and ideas within the nexus of environment and peace – to contribute to more sustainable societies.

A Double Challenge for Peacebuilders: Exploring the Vicious Circle of Corruption and Conflict

Hosts: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

In many contexts, we see a vicious circle of fragility, violent conflict and corruption: state institutions are weak and not trusted by the population, the allocation of power is discretionary. Patronage, clientelism and violence prevail as elites compete for power, social and economic networks are shattered. Corruption creates grievances and functions as a driver of conflict and fragility. As symptom of poor governance and impunity, it is often connected to the root causes of violent conflict.

Jobs for Peace - What Does It Take?

Hosts: CDA Collaborative Learning Projects (CDA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), International Alert, Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)

Job creation is an important dimension within economic development for income generation and fighting poverty. Especially in fragile and conflict contexts, where unemployment is high and livelihoods endangered. ILO has developed a manual with tools to measure how job creation can have a positive impact on peace. GIZ is currently developing a toolbox for Sustainable Economic Development which build on ILO’s theory of change and offers principles for ensuring a positive impact on peace.

Business and Peace - A Partnership for Making Money and Making Peace?

Hosts: CDA Collaborative Learning Projects (CDA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), International Alert, Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)

Economic development is an important basis for peace. But the link between economic action and peace building is not an automatic one. Models and assumptions have to be reconsidered in order to make it work. With the need for income generation, jobs, equity and trust building across conflicting parties and social divides on the one side and growth for profit and economic sustainability on the other it is important to shape relationships between the diverse actors and stakeholders.

Influencing Local Peacebuilding Policies through Polylateral Political Dialogues – The Case of Sierra Leone

Hosts: International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS)

In an environment of mistrust between governments and their people, the enhancement of national cohesion as prioritised in the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding 2019-2021 Peace Vision through polylateral cooperation is more crucial than ever.

Focusing on how CSPPS has intensified their efforts in improving state-citizen relations in response to COVID-19 is within the framework of the IDPS, our session inscribes itself in the thematic context of acting collectively.

Financing for Peacebuilding for Youth

Hosts: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)/ Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women

Why is investing in youth so critically important and what more can we do to encourage financing for peacebuilding? How do we support movements, driven by young women and men in support of more just and peaceful societies?

'Both Feet on the Ground': Innovation at the Nexus of Peacebuilding and Human Rights

Hosts: Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation , Interpeace, Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO)

Whether through the practice of HR defenders or peacebuilders, or in the leverage of multi-lateral HR instruments to contribute to peace and conflict prevention, the resourcefulness of practitioners reveals creative collaboration at the nexus of peacebuilding and HR. There is much common ground but also challenges– whether in 'dealing with the past', from the perspective of YPS or WPS programming, in the risks of securitization of peacebuilding, or resilience approaches associated with justice.

Awareness, Commitment, Change: Towards a Partnership of Equals

In light of current political trends and peacebuilding challenges, we need a "partnership of equals" based on mutual interests and respect. But how can we move away from the usual recipes and bridge the gap between local, national and international peacebuilding?

Fit for the Future? What Role for German Peace and Development Policy in Promoting Innovative Approaches for Resilient Societies?

The 2021 German federal election provides momentum to reflect on the future course of Germany’s peace and development policy. How can cross-sectoral approaches contribute to the promotion of peaceful and resilient societies?

Co-Creative Transformations – Mobilizing Ambitious Actions to Build Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

Positive transformation is key for building sustainable peace and just development. But what kind of partnerships are needed to create change and enable actors to implement the SDGs in an inclusive manner with inclusive results?