However, this isn’t a time for celebration. The world today feels more unstable than it was 30 years ago, with increased insecurity in many regions and the existential threat of climate change looming ever larger.
Instead this is time for reflection. To look back on the experience we have gained, some of our successes and hopes for the future of peacebuilding.
Conciliation Resources was born from the idea that people living in areas of violent conflict should be at the heart of its resolution. This idea remains central to how we work. From humble beginnings, we now have more than 80 staff and over 100 partners working in more than 15 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific.
Peacebuilding isn’t a quick endeavour. It can take years of careful work, and our collaborative and accompanying approach means we remain committed to peace processes and partnerships. Through this long-term approach to supporting mediation we have gained the experience, skills and knowledge to share with other contexts and partners on their journey to peace.
“As we mark our 30th anniversary we reflect with pride and humility on the contributions we have made to support peace in the communities we work with. Sustained partnerships and the ability to adapt our peacebuilding work will be more needed than ever to face the challenges inherent in confronting the violent conflicts that lie ahead.” - Jonathan Cohen, Executive Director of Conciliation Resources
Highlights
Our flagship Accord series reached its 30th issue this year. It has grown into a highly respected resource for in-depth analysis of conflicts and peacebuilding practice.
We supported the peace agreement in the Somali Regional State (SRS) of Ethiopia between the Ethiopian government and the Ogaden National Liberation Front in 2018. Tensions remain but the SRS is considered one of the most stable regions of Ethiopia. We continue to support victims’ and survivors’ networks, and women leaders in politics, civil society and business to amplify women’s voices in the public sphere through the Ugaaso Women’s Dialogue Space.
In the Bangsamoro region of the Philippines - through our membership of the International Contact Group - we supported the processes which led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2014 after 16 years of negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. We continue to accompany the implementation of the agreement, supporting talks and engagement between the parties as preparations are made for a significant step in electoral politics in Mindanao in 2025.
More recently we have examined the effects of climate change on existing conflicts and peacebuilding approaches as well as the opportunities a changing climate presents for collaboration. We have promoted gender-sensitive peacebuilding approaches to ensure peace processes remain equitable and beneficial to all.
As we develop our plans for the next five years we are mindful of a challenging environment in peacebuilding, both in terms of climate change, instability and an increasingly difficult funding landscape.
The need for promoting peaceful responses to conflicts existing and emerging is more important than ever before and we remain committed to making peace possible.