Bank accounts blocked. Financial transfers suspended so cash has to be carried in hand. Charities forced to change names to sound less “risky”. These are some of the ways some humanitarian, peacebuilding and development charities working in areas affected by conflict have been impacted by banks’ growing aversion to risk. Banks’ concerns are well-grounded: they must comply with counter-terrorism and money laundering laws. But how do we balance these concerns so that they do not hinder the critical work of peacebuilding and humanitarian NGOs?

How psychology can impact and enhance peace mediation practice was in focus at an event in London on 18 May 2022. The event was co-organised by the Swiss Embassy in London, Conciliation Resources and the Centre for Researching and Embedding Human Rights (CREHR) at Birkbeck, University of London.

How are digital tools polarising societies and fuelling violence? And how can they instead be used to build peace? These were the main questions explored at an event on 10 May 2022 organised by the Swiss Embassy in London in partnership with Conciliation Resources.

An online event was held on 27 April 2022 to mark the launch of the joint report by the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth network (WMC) and Conciliation Resources. The 'Beyond the vertical: What enables women mediators to mediate' report, contains recommendations on how to create an enabling and supportive environment for women mediators to continue their critical work.

The warming of the planet and the resulting changes to the natural environment pose numerous threats to humanity. Increased competition for resources like fertile land and fresh water is already disrupting societies and uprooting entire communities – exacerbating current conflicts and fuelling new ones. Responses to the climate crisis themselves, can add to existing tensions and create further conflict.