Day 2: September 11, 2024

• Liz Hume, Executive Director, AfP

Findings from the Edelman Trust Barometer and Practical Steps to Address Declining Social Cohesion
Social cohesion is the glue that holds societies together—and currently, it is in rapid decline globally. Kirsty Graham, CEO of Edelman U.S., will share lessons from the Edelman Trust Barometer—an annual research report that covers a range of societal indicators measuring trust among business, media, government and non-governmental organizations. Kirsty will explore what is—and is not—working systemically to promote social cohesion between citizens, governments, and communities, and how these findings can inform efforts to build trust and peace globally.

Keynote Speaker:

• Kirsty Graham, PhD, CEO of Edelman U.S.

Pluralism and Trust: Why Trust is So Vital to Peacebuilding 
While social cohesion continues to decline globally, pluralism and societal resilience can serve as effective opposing forces that build trust and peace. This high-level panel will ask “what will it take?” to rebuild and grow trust and social cohesion, exploring evidence from the Fund for Peace’s State Resilience Index and featuring recipients of the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Global Pluralism Award. Peacebuilders working in Lebanon, Somalia, and Sudan will delve into the transformative power of pluralism and share how they are bridging divides and breaking down barriers of fear and mistrust.

Moderators: 

• Liz Hume, Executive Director, AfP

• Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism

Speakers: 

• Paul Turner, Executive Director, Fund for Peace

• Lea Baroudi, Founder and Director, MARCH Lebanon

• Helena Puig Larrauri, Co-founder & Strategy Lead, Build Up

Global Fragility Act MEL Innovations to Establish an Evidence Base for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization
The session will demonstrate how the U.S. Government’s interagency, through collaborative consultative processes with civil society partners, is building the evidence base for conflict prevention and stabilization through an innovative and adaptive approach under the Global Fragility Act (GFA) and the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS). Speakers will detail the design of the SPCPS Strategic Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework’s components—including the global learning agenda, evaluations, monitoring methods, and use of multi-donor data collection and analysis platforms—and how it aligns with priority government policies such as atrocity prevention; women, peace, and security; gender; and climate security. The session will explore how the iterative generation and uptake of evidence and learning over the 10-year implementation period of the Strategy can support effective adaptive management and programming and inform further U.S. Government policies and programs.

Speakers:

• Joe Hewitt, Senior Advisor, Office of Foreign Assistance, U.S. Department of State

• Lauren Hershey, GFA Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist, Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, USAID

• Lieutenant Colonel Brian Grimsley, Deputy Director for Stabilization and Peacekeeping Policy, U.S. Department of Defense

• Megan Corrado, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, Alliance for Peacebuilding

In Pursuit of Responsible Partnership: Engaging Local Women Peacebuilders as Equal and Powerful Stakeholders
Despite the plethora of evidence supporting the localization agenda and the critical role of local actors in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts, a significant gap remains between the intentions of donors and the creation and fostering of partnerships. The relationships, access, context analysis and expertise of local women peacebuilders, in particular, cannot be matched or replicated by external actors—and their enduring presence throughout cycles of conflict is vital for social cohesion and violence prevention. However, inflexible funding mechanisms, administrative hurdles, and the outsourcing of risk to local organizations often make partnerships with international donors cumbersome and risk-laden for local peacebuilders. This session aims to bring together different stakeholders—including institutional donors, local peacebuilders, and INGOs—to answer two important questions: (1) what does it look like to support local women peacebuilders across all stages of a conflict cycle; and (2) how can international donors and policymakers facilitate responsible partnerships with local peacebuilders to transfer ownership of risks and improve the impact of peacebuilding efforts? The conversation will identify barriers to responsible partnerships with local peacebuilders and discuss practical solutions that center those most affected by violence and conflict.

Speakers:

• Anna Zaros, Interim Head and Director of Organizational Advancement, Nonviolent Peaceforce USA

• Clotilda Andiensa Waah, Coordinator and Founder, Center for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD)

• Tahani Yaghshi, Conduct and Conflict Management Specialist, George Washington University

• Rosarie Tucci, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Conflict, Prevention, and Stabilization, USAID
  
  

Holistic Environmental Peacemaking Approaches for Reconciliation in Yemen
Yemen's protracted and increasingly complex civil war seems intractable with traditional peace mediation and reconciliation efforts. The political fragmentation and armed conflict led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and caused significant environmental degradation, steadily aggravated by climate change. In a context of multifaceted political, humanitarian, and environmental crises, Yemen needs innovative entry points for mediation and negotiation, rather than conventional peacebuilding and diplomacy. This session will discuss innovative avenues to unlock peace at different levels, such as using the environment as an entry point and element of mediation, promoting inclusion and engagement of civil society in reconciliation, and encouraging political negotiations at the national level.

Speakers:

• H.E. Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Former Prime Minister of Yemen

• H.E. Abdulsalam Al-Awadhi, Ambassador of Yemen to the United Nations Environment Programme

• Muna Luqman, National Coordinator on Inclusion, United Nations Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen

• Hisham Al-Omeisy, Senior Yemen Advisor, European Institute of Peace

• Albert Martinez, Program Management, European Institute of Peace

Centering “P” in the HDP Nexus: Lessons from Evidence-Based Conflict Integration Approaches
While many now acknowledge the interconnected nature of programming and outcomes across multiple sectors such as peacebuilding, development, and humanitarian, practitioners and donors still struggle with what this means for program design, implementation, and impact. This session seeks to illuminate the transformative potential of integrating a conflict sensitive approach to the programs and outcomes of a multitude of sectors. It will further unpack relationships between the peacebuilding sector and other sectors like agricultural livelihoods, natural resource management, infrastructure, education, microfinance, shelter and disability inclusion and address the gap in evidence building. This session will spark a dialogue around promoting multisectoral approaches for a more significant impact on both sustainable peace and other sector program outcomes. Furthermore, this session aims to explore strategies to break down sector silos across funding mechanisms, influencing effective multi sectoral interventions. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the evidence base and importance of multisectoral approaches. Participants should also come prepared to engage with panelists on crucial next steps to improve multi sectoral interventions, practice, and overall evidence base.

Speakers:

• Jason Calder, Director, Saferworld USA

• Nell Bolton, Technical Director for the Equity, Inclusion and Peacebuilding team, Catholic Relief Services

• Chandler Hill, Research Associate, American Institute for Research

• Shaziya DeYoung, Senior Researcher - Learning and Evidence, Alliance for Peacebuilding

  
  

Peacebuilding Starts at Home: Expanding the Team
As we continue to experience record-breaking levels of fragility and violent conflict globally, we must prioritize and center peacebuilding and conflict prevention in law, policy, and practice everywhere, including the United States. Given the scope of these challenges, the peacebuilding community must build coalitions and work with those outside of the peacebuilding field in diverse sectors and spaces. Peacebuilding can no longer include only peacebuilders. This session will explore what the Alliance for Peacebuilding is doing to engage and work with people outside the peacebuilding field and examine how these efforts can be expanded.

Speakers:

• Chip Hauss, Senior Fellow for Innovation and Board Member Emeritus, Alliance for Peacebuilding 

• Patricia Shafer, Executive Director, NewGen Peacebuilders

• Emily Evans, Programs and Research Officer, the Peace Innovation Initiative

• Abby Rapoport, Publisher and Co-Founder, Stranger’s Guide

• Aviva Lund, Account Executive, OptimalWork
  
  

Yes, We Know You’re Tired: How Peacebuilders are Addressing Care and Well-Being
With so many conflicts and crises around the world, the peacebuilding community is facing extreme stress and capacity deficits. However, none of what we set out to accomplish in peacebuilding can be accomplished if we are too burned out, exhausted, or traumatized to do the work. Recent studies have shown that collegial support is one of the top ways to prevent burnout and increase resilience to shocks. This session is an opportunity to hear, share, and learn with peacebuilders and activists from around the world on the ways we can all create the space needed to elevate well-being, not as a “nice to have” but a “must have” component of peacebuilding.

Speakers:

• Jesse Eaves, Senior Director, Peacebuilding, Humanity United

• Kenneth Chomba, African Coaches Network

• Laura Webber, Convener, Think Peace

• Alexis Flanagan, Co-Director, Resonance Network

• Claude Gatebuke, Executive Director, African Great Lakes Action Network

Announcing the Effective Peacebuilding Initiative
How can we most effectively collect and disseminate evidence about which peacebuilding interventions work and which do not? This session will introduce the Effective Peacebuilding Initiative (EPI), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting efforts to increase the scientific evaluation of peacebuilding. Panelists will describe ongoing projects, including (1) global data collection on peace agreements, ceasefires, and other local peace interventions; (2) systematic interviews with peacebuilders to better understand their needs and capabilities; (3) an online resource network connecting and supporting experts in scientific impact evaluation with peacebuilders and funders; and (4) a major new peace prize for individuals or organizations who can demonstrate with scientific evidence that their efforts have led to a reduction in violence from armed conflicts.

Speakers:

• Benjamin Valentino, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Effective Peace Initiative

• Clionadh Raleigh, Executive Director, Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)

• Roger Mac Ginty, Professor in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University

• Florencia Montal, Senior Researcher and Evaluator, Center for Victims of Torture

Fear Factor: How Fear is Being Used to Control Our Minds, Our Bodies, and Our Institutions and What to Do About It
Literally and figuratively, references to “a world on fire” are heard on a near-continuous loop as the world grapples with increasing conflicts and interconnected crises. Actors are trying to reinforce a sense of chaos and fear to serve their strategic and nefarious aims to tear the delicate threads of social fabric of communities globally. These strategies include violence and threats toward elected officials, as well as narratives centered on “othering” groups to reinforce positions of power and fear. This session will feature experts from a range of disciplines to explore solutions to these fear-oriented strategies, including examples of how comedy and art are being used as a form of resistance, what community organizations are doing to shine a light on manipulating forces, as well as what legislative and policy changes are being implemented to prevent fear-fueled strategies. 

Speakers:

• Rachel Locke, Director of the Violence, Inequality and Power (VIP) Lab at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego

• Dr. Brandon “Biko” Koenig, Associate Professor of Government & Public Policy, Franklin and Marshall College

• Amita Vempati, Development Manager, Artistic Freedom Initiative

• Andrei Serbin Pont, President, CRIES

  
  

Haiti: Where are We Now and Where Do We Go Next?
Despite being ranked as the most improved country on the Fragile States Index in 2018, recent events including the assassination of President Jovenel Moise and the proliferation of gang violence have led to a profound deterioration in its peace, security, and economic development. The resultant political and social instability and humanitarian crisis are the latest iteration of Haiti’s struggles to escape cycles of fragility. This panel will explore the various lines of effort and levels of international and local engagement working to promote social cohesion in Haiti. Panelists will provide perspectives on the U.S. Government’s foreign policy and assistance approach, and include officials, an implementing peacebuilding partner, and a Haitian community-based organization. The session will assess the current context in Haiti, discuss windows of opportunity, and propose recommendations to achieve more durable peace, while recognizing challenges and roadblocks.

Speakers:

• Ambassador Frederick Barton, Lecturer, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

• John Jordan, Senior Conflict Advisor, Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention, Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, USAID

• Kalinda Magloire, Chief of Party, USAID’s Haiti Citizen Security Program, Management Systems International, a Tetra Tech Company

• Louis-Henri Mars, Executive Director, Lakou Lape

  
  

Building Trust In and Supporting Proximate Peacebuilders
How can the peacebuilding field support a cultural shift that centers and supports local, proximate peacebuilders? This session will culminate a roundtable series hosted by the Alliance for Peacebuilding and Humanity United that convened local peacebuilders, donors, law and policymakers, and practitioners to explore various challenges and opportunities to advance locally-led peacebuilding in conflict-affected and fragile states. In addition to launching a report tying together the series’ main findings, the conversation will recap key thematic takeaways, including around promoting the emotional and mental well-being of local peacebuilders; countering shrinking civic space; translocal relationship-building among peacebuilders; and protection of peacebuilders closest to conflict.

Speakers:

• Claude Gatebuke, Executive Director, African Great Lakes Action Network

• Kenneth Chomba, African Coaching Network

• Clotilda Andiensa Waah, Coordinator and Founder, Center for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD)

• Corie Walsh, Senior Portfolio Manager, Peacebuilding, Humanity United

• Nick Zuroski, Manager for Policy & Advocacy, Alliance for Peacebuilding

  
  

Innovative Peacebuilding: Integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Enhanced Conflict Resolution
Today's conflict settings demand interventions that support individuals under intense stress while laying the groundwork for long-term stability. However, few organizations successfully integrate mental health support within peacebuilding programs due to persistent institutional silos. This interactive workshop will explore how mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) can be integrated to enhance the effectiveness of peacebuilding. Building on scalable examples in Liberia and Mali, small groups will discuss and develop approaches for integrating MHPSS and peacebuilding. Through a collaborative exchange, the larger group will then share experiences, explore common barriers, strategize on overcoming challenges, and identify best practices for practical implementation. The session will promote a network among attendees to support ongoing dialogue at the intersection of MHPSS and peacebuilding to bridge gaps and enhance the effectiveness of conflict resolution and community healing efforts.

Speakers:

• Frederic Deycard, Associate Director, The Carter Center

• Maddie Warman, Mali Program Associate, The Carter Center, Conflict Resolution Program

• Alys Willman, Mental Health Program Consultant, The Carter Center/World Bank

• Ryan Fowler, Senior Program Associate, Mental Health Program, The Carter Center

• Jessica Koreis, Mental Health Program Consultant, The Carter Center

Atrocity Prevention at a Crossroads: The State of International Law and Role of Judicial Institutions
The expectation of accountability and a rules-based legal order was a central ambition of the international governance system. International law has generally been seen as an approach for imposing accountability post facto for perpetrators of atrocity crimes. However, international law can and indeed must be an important contributor of atrocity prevention, as well. Judicial institutions and legal processes often are sidelined from peacekeeping and conflict prevention discussions. With conflicts raging in nearly every region and atrocities compounding, more must be done to ensure the promise of prevention and justice is not illusory. This session will explore the intersection of peace and justice, the role of international judicial institutions, and how international law can emerge as an important contributor to global atrocity prevention.

Speakers:

• Ambassador David J. Scheffer, Professor of Practice, School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University; Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

• Jocelyn Getgen Kestenbaum, Professor of Law, Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University 

• Douglas Irvin-Erickson, Assistant Professor, Carter School, George Mason University

• Kristin J. Smith, Director, Atrocity Crimes Initiative, Criminal Justice Section & Center for Human Rights; Staff Attorney, Criminal Crustice Section, American Bar Association

• Rebecca Shoot, Executive Director, Citizens for Global Solutions

Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership
“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” author and former State Department political appointee Hamse Warfe writes in his new book. But what is an accountable leader? In this session, Hamse and Rebeccra Crall, AfP Vice Board Chard and Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Manager with Rotary International, will discuss how accountability is the foundation upon which lasting success and impact are built in business, philanthropy, government, and public service and how accountability within our organizations and amongst our policymakers is vital to advancing peace. 

Moderator:

• Rebecca Crall, AfP Vice Board Chair; Manager, Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Rotary International

Speaker:

• Hamse Warfe, former Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State

The Rick Love Awards were created to honor Dr. Rick Love, the late founder and president of Peace Catalyst International, for his years of tireless efforts to courageously cross social, political, and ideological divides and invite others to do the same. Peace Catalyst disseminates two awards: the Rick Love Peace Award, given to a theologian or practitioner who reflects Dr. Love's values and has been a transformative leader in the past year; and the Young Innovators Award, given to two peacebuilders under the age of 30 who are up-and-coming leaders or are starting innovative projects in their context.

Presenter:

From Polarization to Solidarity: Creating a Conducive Environment for a Political Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one of the most entrenched and complex conflicts of our time, is marked by a long history of violence and failed peace initiatives. The recent escalation has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, deepening historical traumas, and profound regional and global implications. In this unique moment, there is a palpable sense of fatigue and urgency within both communities and a growing recognition of the imperative for a political solution, coupled with opportunities for fresh diplomatic and political initiatives. This session will bring together Israeli and Palestinian representatives from various sectors as part of the Uniting for a Shared Future (USF) coalition, who are working in solidarity to tackle the key challenges and identify opportunities to foster a conducive environment for a political solution. Panelists will explore how to shift global solidarity from pro-Israel and pro-Palestine to pro-solution; how international actors can support the efforts of Israeli and Palestinian stakeholders working to secure a just and lasting peace anchored in shared values; and what actions the international community can take now to help lay the groundwork for a credible and lasting peace.

Moderator:

• Hiba Qasas, Executive Director, Principles for Peace

Speakers:

• Avi Meyerstein, Founder and President, Alliance for Middle East Peace

• Caroline Mays, Executive Director, New Story Leadership

• Tehila Wenger, Deputy Director, Geneva Initiative

• Hamze Awawde, Regional Manager of the Palestinian Delegation, Hands of Peace

• Liz Hume, Executive Director, AfP

Findings from the Edelman Trust Barometer and Practical Steps to Address Declining Social Cohesion
Social cohesion is the glue that holds societies together—and currently, it is in rapid decline globally. Kirsty Graham, CEO of Edelman U.S., will share lessons from the Edelman Trust Barometer—an annual research report that covers a range of societal indicators measuring trust among business, media, government and non-governmental organizations. Kirsty will explore what is—and is not—working systemically to promote social cohesion between citizens, governments, and communities, and how these findings can inform efforts to build trust and peace globally.

Keynote Speaker:

• Kirsty Graham, PhD, CEO of Edelman U.S.

Pluralism and Trust: Why Trust is So Vital to Peacebuilding 
While social cohesion continues to decline globally, pluralism and societal resilience can serve as effective opposing forces that build trust and peace. This high-level panel will ask “what will it take?” to rebuild and grow trust and social cohesion, exploring evidence from the Fund for Peace’s State Resilience Index and featuring recipients of the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Global Pluralism Award. Peacebuilders working in Lebanon, Somalia, and Sudan will delve into the transformative power of pluralism and share how they are bridging divides and breaking down barriers of fear and mistrust.

Moderators: 

• Liz Hume, Executive Director, AfP

• Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism

Speakers: 

• Paul Turner, Executive Director, Fund for Peace

• Lea Baroudi, Founder and Director, MARCH Lebanon

• Helena Puig Larrauri, Co-founder & Strategy Lead, Build Up

Slashing the Silos: Solutions for Improved IDP Engagement in Peacebuilding

As internal displacement hits its highest level in modern history, internally-displaced persons (IDPs) are being increasingly recognized as active agents of peace and leaders in addressing the humanitarian and development challenges internal displacement poses. However, the silos between humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) programming inhibit support for initiatives that promote sustained peace in places with IDPs, as well as empowerment of IDPs as peacebuilders. This session will explore examples where IDPs played active roles in mitigating conflict, including in Colombia, Iraq, Myanmar, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria, challenges that arose due to siloed assistance, and lessons learned in overcoming them. Panelists and the audience will develop tangible recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to break down barriers inhibiting the effectiveness of the HDP nexus when designing and implementing assistance programs that engage IDPs.

Speakers:

• Andrea Wegner, Senior Director, Conflict Prevention, Stabilization, & Transition, DT Global

• Nazik Mubarak Elmahi Ahmed, MEL Associate Director, USAID OTI STEP-UP Sudan Program

• Katie Kerr, Peace and Security Unit Head, International Organization for Migration

• John Thon Majok, Director, Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative, Wilson Center

Interpersonal or Institutional? Practical Trust-Building Insights from Ukraine, Mexico, and Moldova

Global assessments of trust are discouraging. The most recent Edelman Trust Barometer suggests that governments are now among the least trusted institutions, with only 50% of sample respondents expressing trust in their government. While the philanthropic and development sectors have become more focused on the role of institutional trust and its link to polarization, conflict, and democratic backsliding, less attention has been paid to the role of interpersonal trust and the relationship between interpersonal trust (horizontal trust) and institutional trust (vertical trust). This session will share practical trust-building case studies from diverse contexts; compare learning across varied programmatic needs; and reflect on where the development and peacebuilding community can prioritize evidence-based approaches to trust-building.

Speakers:

• Anastasiia Matviienko, Civic Engagement Lead, UNITY Program, Ukraine, IREX

• Monica Rodriguez, Program Manager, Ambulantes Program, Mexico, IREX

• Inesa Dorogan, Gender & Youth Advisor, Comunitatea Mea Program, Moldova, IREX

• Matt Vanderwerff, Senior Technical Advisor, IREX

  
  

Leveraging African Perspectives for Sustainable Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

In an era marked with geopolitical fractures and persistent conflicts and humanitarian crises, further investment in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts are essential. To address these challenges, the African continent is working to advance its peace and security agenda, evidenced by the adoption of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Policy and the establishment of relevant institutions like the African Union Center for PCRD. This session seeks to shed light on the lessons learned from African contexts in aligning peacebuilding strategies within the context of fragility, conflict, and violence. With a spotlight on Somalia, the speakers will examine challenges and opportunities, with particular emphasis on addressing the need for leveraging key frameworks and coordinated responses across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The session will seek to catalyze meaningful dialogue and collaboration to advance actionable recommendations for all regions across the world facing fragility and conflict.

Speakers:

• Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General, Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding; Executive Director, Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development; Co-Chair, African Union’s Network of Think Tanks for Peace (NeTT4Peace)

• H.E. Hodan Osman, Governor, Somalia Development and Reconstruction Bank

• Libakiso Matlho, Executive Secretary, African Union's Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Centre

• Dragan Popovic, Portfolio Manager of the Inclusive Politics Portfolio, UNDP Somalia

• Frederik Teufel, Lead Coordinator, Transition States Coordination Office, African Development Bank

• Dr. Adnan Abdo, ​​East Africa Regional Coordinator of PAYNCOP and Co-Founder of HAGE Youth Organization

The Evidence Behind Successful Community-Led Early Warning and Early Response in Preventing Conflict
Early Warning and Early Response systems are a vital tool in preventing and addressing violent conflict and atrocities. However, to be successful and provide local solutions to local problems, they must have local buy-in, cultural sensitivity, and self-management and maintenance. This session will explore the lessons gleaned from and opportunities to scale a system used in Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria to address ongoing communal conflicts and their destabilizing impacts. Speakers will outline how such a system can be deployed with very little technology or previous training, measures to mitigate challenges, and best practices to most effectively meet community needs, identify threats to peace and security, and partner with police and security forces to quickly respond. 

Speakers:

• Haruna Iliya, Chief Superintendent of Police, Nigerian Police Force, Equal Access International (Community Accountability Forum (CAF) Member)

• Andrea Carleton, Program Manager, Equal Access International

• Maji Peterx, Country Director, Equal Access International

• Grace Yohanna, Community Member and NGO Volunteer, Equal Access International (Civilian Security Platform (CSP) Member)

Reframing and Reclaiming: Learning From Feminist Civil Society to Revamp the WPS Agenda
Given the alarming trends in declining peace and compounding crises, there is an urgent need for security policy alternatives rooted in feminist peace principles. Security-first and militarized approaches to conflict create unsafe and unstable environments for peacebuilders and civil society and have a disproportionate impact on women and girls. In recent years, these hard-security policies and interventions have co-opted and undermined agendas designed to promote peace and stability, such as the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda. This session, led by peacebuilding and policy experts from Jordan, Ukraine, and India, will encourage diverse and open discussion about how stakeholders can work together to approach security differently and implement peace principles to reduce the violence, prevent conflict, and advance sustainable peace. Speakers will discuss the over-securitization of the WPS Agenda and share reflections on their efforts to elevate policy alternatives rooted in anti-war principles and demilitarization, such as through the Security Policy Alternatives Network (SPAN). This session will explore practical solutions around how civil society and policymakers can elevate innovative alternatives to the current narrow and securitized approach to addressing conflict and instability.

Speakers:

• Sangeeta Goswami, Policy Advocacy Adviser, Human Security Collective

• Sharanjeet Parmar, Senior Transitional Justice Advisor, Partnership Fund for Resilient Ukraine

• Katherine Tomaszewski, Senior Legal Advisor, Charity & Security Network

• Sanaa Qasmieh, Team Lead for the Tamasok (WPS Systems Strengthening) Program, Chemonics International

Writing a New Story for the Middle East: Leveraging a Platform for Deliberative Democracy Powered by AI 
In February 2024, 10 Palestinian and Israeli young leaders, alumni of New Story Leadership, gathered in Geneva and envisioned a new future for their homeland in crisis. Together they developed the Phoenix Plan, an ambitious vision of innovative solutions for Gaza reconstruction, Israeli and Palestinian governance, systemic accountability, the roles of the international community, and preparing the public for peace—all issues hindering a comprehensive peace agreement. The plan has guided advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill throughout in recent months. The leaders have since partnered with Remesh, an AI-powered deliberative democracy platform, to expand the conversation from 10 to one million participants. The resulting Phoenix Plan “version 2” will reflect a common vision for the region. In addition to introducing participants to the Phoenix Plan and how it has reframed the narrative of peacebuilding, this session will engage participants in a live experience of a deliberative democracy process to create a solutions-oriented common ground narrative around a controversial topic.

Speakers:

• Caroline Mays, Executive Director, New Story Leadership

• Tarek Maassarani, Adjunct Lecturer, Georgetown University; Chief Operating Officer, Geopolymer International, LLC

• Eran Nissan, CEO, Mehazkim

Addressing Gender Apartheid as a Tool to Implement the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Afghanistan
Since the withdrawal of U.S. and international forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, Afghan women and girls have experienced a dramatic backslide in their fundamental rights and freedoms under the repressive rule of the Taliban—a situation being increasingly described as gender apartheid​. Legal scholars and advocates are now demanding that gender apartheid be recognized under international law. This session will explore the lived realities of Afghan women subjected to a system of gender apartheid that excludes them from political, economic, and social life and undermines the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. Speakers will also debate the necessity and urgency of codifying gender apartheid in international law, opportunities for justice and accountability towards the Taliban, entry points to elevate the rights of Afghan women and girls, as well as what further tools exist for governments, institutions, civil society, and allies to support them now.

Moderator:

• Payvand Seyedali, Afghanistan Country Director, Women for Women International

Speakers:

• Teresa Casale, Executive Director, Mina’s List

• Heather Barr, Associate Director, Women's Rights Division, Human Rights Watch

• Metra Mehran, Afghanistan Advocacy Fellow, Amnesty International USA

  
  

Mapping Peace: Bridging Beliefs and Values in a Multipolar World - An Interactive Workshop 
In a multipolar world, the peacebuilding community must adapt to a diverse and often non-traditional set of peacebuilders that are driven by deeply held beliefs, values, and emotions about peacebuilding that might be divergent from our own. To navigate these complexities, this interactive workshop will introduce participants to Valence, a software tool that enables technology-assisted Cognitive Affective Mapping. Co-facilitators will guide participants through a hands-on group activity to map their own beliefs and values regarding a historic conflict scenario. Through discussion and reflections, participants will gain insights into their own and others' perspectives, fostering greater inclusivity and collaboration in peacebuilding efforts. This session aims to enhance understanding of the diverse values driving global peacebuilding, enabling more effective and cohesive conflict resolution strategies.

Speakers:

• Evan Hoffman, Vancouver Island University

• Andrew Duffy, Dexis Consulting Group

Facilitators:

• Andrew Sinclair, Senior Technical Advisor,  Center for Global Security and Stabilization, Dexis Consulting Group

• Bobbie Pennington, Project Associate,  Center for Global Security and Stabilization, and Conflict and Violence Prevention practice, Dexis Consulting Group

• Olivia Siegel, Business Development Manager,  Dexis Consulting Group

• David Scrivener, Senior Project Associate, Dexis Consulting Group

Peacebuilding When Civil Society is Under Attack
With violent conflict affecting millions worldwide and many governments growing more repressive, implementing peacebuilding programs in partnership with local civil society can be risky and complicated. Due to concerns about outside influence, fear of democratization or growth of resistance movements, or a desire to maintain control over the population, governments increasingly restrict civil society space—whether through formal measures like “foreign agent” laws or by creating bureaucratic obstacles to registration and implementation of activities. Where authorities impose harsh restrictions or interfere in programs, donors and implementing agencies must think creatively about how to achieve peacebuilding goals and make progress toward safe, just, and healthy societies. This session will feature program directors from around the world who will share insights and experiences implementing peacebuilding initiatives in countries where civil society collaboration can be especially challenging and lessons that can be scaled and applied widely.

Moderator:

• Kelsey Hampton, Senior Officer - Global Policy & Outreach, Search for Common Ground

Speakers:

• Rebecca Besant, Latin America Regional Director, Search for Common Ground

• Zuhra Bahman, Afghanistan Country Director, Search for Common Ground

• Kenesh Sainazarov, Uzbekistan Country Director, Search for Common Ground

Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership
“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” author and former State Department political appointee Hamse Warfe writes in his new book. But what is an accountable leader? In this session, Hamse and Rebeccra Crall, AfP Vice Board Chard and Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Manager with Rotary International, will discuss how accountability is the foundation upon which lasting success and impact are built in business, philanthropy, government, and public service and how accountability within our organizations and amongst our policymakers is vital to advancing peace. 

Moderator:

• Rebecca Crall, AfP Vice Board Chair; Manager, Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Rotary International

Speaker:

• Hamse Warfe, former Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State

The Rick Love Awards were created to honor Dr. Rick Love, the late founder and president of Peace Catalyst International, for his years of tireless efforts to courageously cross social, political, and ideological divides and invite others to do the same. Peace Catalyst disseminates two awards: the Rick Love Peace Award, given to a theologian or practitioner who reflects Dr. Love's values and has been a transformative leader in the past year; and the Young Innovators Award, given to two peacebuilders under the age of 30 who are up-and-coming leaders or are starting innovative projects in their context.

Presenter:

From Polarization to Solidarity: Creating a Conducive Environment for a Political Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one of the most entrenched and complex conflicts of our time, is marked by a long history of violence and failed peace initiatives. The recent escalation has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, deepening historical traumas, and profound regional and global implications. In this unique moment, there is a palpable sense of fatigue and urgency within both communities and a growing recognition of the imperative for a political solution, coupled with opportunities for fresh diplomatic and political initiatives. This session will bring together Israeli and Palestinian representatives from various sectors as part of the Uniting for a Shared Future (USF) coalition, who are working in solidarity to tackle the key challenges and identify opportunities to foster a conducive environment for a political solution. Panelists will explore how to shift global solidarity from pro-Israel and pro-Palestine to pro-solution; how international actors can support the efforts of Israeli and Palestinian stakeholders working to secure a just and lasting peace anchored in shared values; and what actions the international community can take now to help lay the groundwork for a credible and lasting peace.

Moderator:

• Hiba Qasas, Executive Director, Principles for Peace

Speakers:

• Avi Meyerstein, Founder and President, Alliance for Middle East Peace

• Caroline Mays, Executive Director, New Story Leadership

• Tehila Wenger, Deputy Director, Geneva Initiative

• Hamze Awawde, Regional Manager of the Palestinian Delegation, Hands of Peace