The very first virtual FriEnt Peacebuilding Forum 2021 “Translate-Relate-Act” was held in April and May. The essence of the 26 virtual sessions and 3 plenary sessions was captured and can now be revisited in the documentation of the 5-day event.

120 speakers and moderators enriched the virtual sessions with their expert knowledge and field experience on topics ranging from digitalisation and climate change to Covid-19, radicalisation and transitional justice. The themes were characterized by high diversity – and yet the exchanges remained closely intertwined by a mutual will to connect, accelerate change and reach progress on the ground.

Current trends, challenges and opportunities in the peacebuilding field were thus extensively covered and innovative approaches presented and discussed. The documentation entails integral guiding questions, key theses, thoughts and ideas as well as insightful quotes of each session to gain a comprehensive understanding of the individual importance to peacebuilding.

The urgent need for mutual and cross-sectoral partnerships

Building on the prior exchange during the virtual sessions, the three plenary sessions took up many of the discussed issues and tackled some of the overarching questions for the future of peacebuilding. How can we establish equal and meaningful partnerships which serve the interests of all involved and affected by conflict and peacebuilding? And how can cross-sectoral approaches contribute to peacebuilding and resilient societies and what should be done by policy makers and practitioners to promote comprehensive approaches for peace and development?

The panelists emphasised the urgent need for partnerships of mutuality in which the agendas are set by a broad group of actors (multi-stakeholder approach) and the participation of youth and civil society is strengthened. One of the most important reasons for the failure of peace processes tends to be their exclusive character. Inclusive partnerships are therefore key to the resolution of prevailing imbalances in financial possibilities, political resources, technological knowledge and peace infrastructures. Peacebuilding is no stand-alone domain and the panellists defined cross-sectoral linkages as essential to an increased impact, improved prospects for peace and a more inclusive outreach.

In addition to the close agreement across the three panels that inclusive policies and mutual partnerships are needed in the peacebuilding architecture, the missing political will was jointly defined as a major obstacle. Whether the political economy is oriented towards peace is central to the issue of inclusion, mutual partnerships and remaining structural inequalities. The documentation therefore entails relevant policy recommendations as well as the key takeaways of the three panels.

To gain more insights to the FriEnt Peacebuilding Forum 2021, please read the documentation or watch the After-Event-Video below: