A woman’s place is in the negotiating room

Janet Adama Mohammed has been working with rural women and communities to build peace for nearly two decades. “For me it’s never been about seeking money or power – just having a positive influence. We all need to find spaces in which we can unleash what we’re passionate about.” In this comment piece she reflects on how she first got involved in mediating conflicts in her native Ghana and how, in the years since, she’s been involved in some pivotal moments in the recent history of West Africa.

Fresh prospects for peace in Colombia

Recent developments in Colombia suggest that the government and FARC each now recognise that violence is not solved by more violence. In a Spanish article for RazĂłn PĂșblica, Kristian Herbolzheimer, Director of our Colombia and Philippines programmes, suggests that Colombia can learn lessons from its own past – both its successes and mistakes – to identify a new approach that is far more inclusive than peace negotiations. Both sides have taken important steps but the challenge remains to define the roadmap to peace.

Somalia: After the London conference

In the aftermath of the February 2012 London Conference on Somalia, Sally Healy – Accord 21 editor and a Fellow of the Rift Valley Institute – offers her personal assessment of the conference, its likely impact and the complex challenges ahead. Featuring insight from Mohamed Abdi Aynte, Mark Bradbury, Al-Hadi and Ken Menkhaus, this comment piece, concludes that "There are no risk-free options for Somalia. It is ever more obvious that Somalis, not foreigners, have to lead on the solutions."

Amplifying the skills of local peacebuilders

Building peace takes time but we make commitments to support our partners for the long-term. In countries affected by the Lord's Resistance Army conflict, we've recently taken part in workshops focusing on strategies to deal with land disputes arising out of the violence, and are supporting women in discussions about how to cope with the conflict. We're there for as long as we're needed to provide advice, support and practical resources.

Innovations to enhance women’s participation

Eleven years after the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women in conflict and peace, the gap between policy and practice remains huge. While government and rebels in the Philippines have women represented on their peace panels, there is a lot more that can be done to have women’s voices and expertise heard at the peace talks and in the post-agreement implementation. Conciliation Resources contributed to a recent peacebuilding forum in Manila which discussed options for a process that could lead to an International Action Plan on women, peace and security in the Philippines.

Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam

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Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam

Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam was appointed the British government's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997.

Read more from Mo:

Accord Issue 16: Engaging armed groups

Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam is a contributor to our Accord publication series and not a staff member of Conciliation Resources. The views expressed in the publication are their own and do not reflect the position of Conciliation Resources. We cannot share contributors' contact details.

Micheline Calmy-Rey

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Micheline Calmy-Rey

Micheline Calmy-Rey is the Swiss Foreign Minister.

Read more from Micheline:

Accord Issue 17: Nagorny Karabakh

Micheline Calmy-Rey is a contributor to our Accord publication series and not a staff member of Conciliation Resources. The views expressed in the publication are their own and do not reflect the position of Conciliation Resources. We cannot share contributors' contact details. 

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