Executive Director of Conciliation Resources, Jonathan Cohen, has been appointed Chair of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) Steering Committee.
EPLO is the independent civil society platform of European NGOs, NGO networks and think tanks which are committed to peacebuilding and the prevention of violent conflict. It was founded in 2001 by 16 member organisations, and now has 37 members from across 16 countries.
Jonathan Cohen said of his appointment:
This is an exciting time to take over as Chair. EPLO has never been stronger, or had as many members. This is a crucial time for engagement with the European Union, and worldwide, to raise the profile of peacebuilding and demonstrate the impact we have in contributing to peaceful change.
EPLO aims to influence the European Union so that it promotes and implements measures which lead to sustainable peace between states and within states and peoples, and which transform and resolve conflicts non-violently. The platform also helps to advance the interest of its member organisations and to inform them of the EU policies that concern them and their work.
The Steering Committee consists of 6 members who are elected for two-year terms and are elected in a personal capacity and on the understanding that they work in the interest of EPLO, independent of their professional commitments elsewhere.