European Peace Institute / News

On Friday, June 21st, IPI is hosting a speaker series event featuring Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Remarks will begin at 10:15am PST / 1:15pm EST

Appointed by the secretary-general in November 2013, Pierre Krähenbühl became commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees on March 30, 2014. As commissioner-general, he serves at the level of under-secretary-general. A Swiss national, Mr. Krähenbühl has nearly 30 years of experience in humanitarian, human rights and development work.

Prior to joining UNRWA, Mr. Krähenbühl served as director of Operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross from July 2002 to January 2014, responsible for the conduct, management, and supervision of 12,000 ICRC staff working in 80 countries. In this position, he directly oversaw that organization’s response to conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Colombia and Libya, among others. He led senior-level negotiations with a range of governments, armed forces, and other groups to secure access to conflict-affected populations.

Mr. Krähenbühl’s experience also includes diverse and demanding field assignments in places experiencing profound social change and armed conflict, including El Salvador, Peru, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event will be moderated by Dr. Adam Lupel, vice president of IPI.

The definition of peace has shifted in the United Nations community from the absence of conflict to a more active, “positive peace.” Looking at peace from this perspective requires a shift in focus from identifying and combating the causes of wars to understanding the factors that foster peace and inclusivity. To view a holistic perspective of peace, it is necessary to explore the connections among culture, peace, security, and development.

The “culture of peace” recognizes the link between peace, development, and human rights. Defined in 1999, the term seeks to tackle the root causes of conflicts emphasizing the importance of dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation among individuals, groups, and nations.

On June 13, 2019, the first annual World Forum for the Culture of Peace took place in The Hague on “Peace Education for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.” It was organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation with support from IPI, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the University of Leiden, and the Carnegie Foundation.

High-level representatives from around the world discussed the importance of peace education for the protection of cultural heritage with a particular focus on Iraq, Yemen, and the Central African Republic. The day-long forum ended with “Messages for Peace” from global leaders including:

• María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly (Video Message)
• Marzouq Al-Ghanim, President of the Kuwaiti National Assembly
• Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, Chairman, Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation
• Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic
• Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President Emeritus of Malta
• Abdullah Gül, Former President of Turkey
• Hassan Arfaoui, Representative of the President of Tunisia
• Laurence Konmla, Special Envoy of the President of Liberia
• Ammar al-Hakim, President of the Reform and Reconstruction Alliance of Iraq

In Session III of the forum, IPI President Terje Rød-Larsen moderated a panel on Promoting the Culture of Peace through Education.

Other Attendees Included:

• Joke Brandt, Representative of the Dutch Government and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Erik de Baedts, President, Peace Palace / Carnegie Foundation
• Prince Turki Alfaisal Alsaud
• George Vella, President of Malta
• Haris Silajdžiž, Former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Secretary-General, Organization of Islamic Cooperation
• Taieb Baccouche, Secretary-General of the Arab Maghreb Union and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia
• Khaled al-Yamani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yemen
• Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross
• Hilal Al Sayer, President of the Red Crescent Society, Kuwait
• Leoluca Orlando, Mayor of Palermo
• Shaikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait
• Ali Al-Shukri, Representative of President of Iraq
• Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Kingdom of Bahrain
• Abdullah Lamlas, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
• Yusuf Goran, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
• Michael Frendo, Speaker Emeritus of the Parliament of Malta and former Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Hamed Al-Azemi, Minister of Education of the State of Kuwait
• Madame Sylvie Baipo Temon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Central Republic of Africa
• Tokia Saïfi, Member of the European Parliament
• Moukadas Noure, Minister of Education of the Central African Republic
• Mounir Bouchenaki, Advisor to UNESCO for Cultural Heritage
• Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, President of the International Court of Justice
• Carl Stolker, President of the University of Leiden

The UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the United Nations–African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in June 2019. As Sudan undergoes an uncertain political transition and security gains in Darfur remain tenuous, these negotiations represent a critical moment to reflect upon the Security Council’s strategic engagement in the country.

In this context, the International Peace Institute (IPI), the Stimson Center, and Security Council Report organized a workshop on May 23, 2019, to discuss UNAMID’s mandate and political strategy. This workshop provided a forum for member states, UN stakeholders, and outside experts to share their assessments of the situation in Darfur. The discussion was intended to help the Security Council make more informed decisions with respect to the strategic orientation, prioritization, and sequencing of the mission’s mandate and actions on the ground.

The workshop focused on the evolving political and security situation in Darfur, the implications of Sudan’s ongoing national political transition for the Darfur region, divisions within the international community, and the challenges facing the mission’s drawdown and reconfiguration. Among the recommendations emerging from the discussion were for the mandate to provide UNAMID the flexibility to maneuver, consolidate recent gains, and articulate a clear political strategy that prioritizes long-term peacebuilding and development.

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Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3

Amid growing global concerns of terrorism, conflict, and crime, young people are frequently considered a problem or a risk factor, and, as a result, are often excluded from institutions and marginalized from peacebuilding processes.

This phenomenon and ways to address it were the theme of the 49th IPI Vienna Seminar held on June 12th in partnership with the Austrian Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. IPI Vice President Adam Lupel opened the discussion by saying that “young people do not simply represent the future, they are the present.” He also noted that the seminar fell on the 40th anniversary of the United Nations in Vienna and provided an opportunity to reflect on the unique contributions of Vienna Based Organizations to the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda.

Martin Nesirky, Director of the UN Information Service in Vienna, said that despite the fact that Vienna Based Organizations such as the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), focus on prevention, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the common thread between Vienna and New York. This thread “runs through everything that we’re trying to do in our work on raising the visibility of the Vienna Based Organizations this year,” he said.

Keynote speaker Samuel Goda, Special Representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office on Youth and Security, said that portraying youth as a challenge “is a myth and wrong assumption. At the end of the day, we cannot demonize young people [but] we should also not idealize them. Violent youth identities, however, are more often systematically shaped from above. It is primarily governments and political leaders who seek to mobilize, and often to manipulate, the role and function of youth for political ends.”

He proposed three steps in advancing a global Youth, Peace, and Security agenda—investing in young people’s capacities, eliminating structural barriers that limit youth participation, and establishing partnerships and collaboration “where young people are viewed as equal and essential partners for peace.”

Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs of the UNODC, emphasized how we must debunk the assumption that youth are inherently violent.  “Fragility by itself is not necessarily an open door towards criminality… There is no country in the world which does not have crime.” What matters instead, he said, is the resilience of the country. “If people have no way of getting their entrepreneurial energy in a direct manner involved in helping the country move forward in ways we all would prefer, then we have definitely work at hand. And as you can see, we do have a lot of work, I can tell you. And the biggest stakeholders are undoubtedly the young people.”

Participants in the discussion said that obstacles to youth engagement included lack of political will, gender discrimination, and insufficient funding. One youth representative said that there were not enough forums where young people could meet up, and that they felt excluded from political decision-making. Participants explained that youth and government authorities often have a relationship of mutual distrust. They pointed out that when a country is in a fragile period, its youth may be seen as vulnerable to joining a violent gang.

Creative solutions to these challenges should be found by addressing unfulfilled needs, participants said. Why, for example, might young people feel the need to join a gang? If they are seeking a sense of belonging, introducing sports could be a positive solution, one participant explained. Panelists spoke further on how to strengthen youth expertise and increase youth political participation by investing in programs such as Model UN to involve young people at all levels in discussing conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

Exclusion itself is a form of violence, discussants noted, and to counter it, we must listen to the diverse viewpoints of young women and men and not only amplify those of the elite youth who are already engaged in conversations around peacebuilding. To better integrate youth, they recommended increasing opportunities for young workers, and partnering with young people to make policy decisions. It was noted that young people are “multipliers” in that they bring positive examples back to their communities.

Young people can engage in important dialogue to fight corruption, organized crime, and terrorism, and work towards building more peaceful, just, strong institutions as long as their ideas are heard. This can happen through enhanced investment in their education, including their viewpoints, clear two-way communication, improving media skills, focus on increasing women’s involvement, and efforts to build youth networks.

The seminar’s final panel featured four young practitioners working to build and sustain peace in different regions and country contexts. IPI Senior Policy Analyst Lesley Connolly asked the panel about their personal experiences, motivations, challenges, and to share practical ways to support young people in preventing violence, crime, and corruption and fostering security.

Nour Barakeh, Collaborator on the SDG 5 Thrive! Project, said one drawback in peacebuilding work is that “you can’t work in political-related issues without putting yourself in danger.” But she highlighted how multimedia outreach such as theatre had helped to break down walls and build trust in communities where she had worked. “We need to remember that stories have a powerful, magical way of affecting people,” she said. The aim of her organization is to inspire people around the world to act on “issues that matter,” and to do so, she said, “We raised voices, especially [because] we come from current conflict areas.” Her theatre piece received a “very effective response,” from people who told her that they had learned something new and “deep” about conflict, since “it’s not a lecture, it’s not an information[al presentation], it’s only talking to their minds and their emotions.”

Ms. Barakeh said that she measured success as being able to make a “shift in our value system” and “change behavior.” To do this in conflict situations, she explained that “we need to speak the language of people in our work.” One successful approach had been an interactive dance and theatre game.

Ayten Birhanie, Executive Director of the Peace and Development Center in Addis Ababa, emphasized that “youth are not a homogenous group,” that “they have different needs and demands,” and that youth “should also have the space to define their own issues rather than finding the issues for them.” Youths, he said, need “an enabling environment.” We must create a “political safe space for their dialogue.” In addition, he said that new kinds of exposure and integration of resources from other organizations’ best practices could help make a difference.

Suad Mohamed, a pharmacist and Interpreter for the Austrian Red Cross and Diakonie Refugee Service in Vienna, listed three levels to consider when working with the younger generation—family and safety, the education system, and the social system. Understanding these, she said, could help guide strategies on how to interact with youth, because “if the basic [system] is not there, then corruption or violence can form.” She expressed her hope that international organizations could give youth a better platform to exhibit their talent and experience. “We need more support,” she said.

Ms. Mohamed also spoke about the perception of refugees in the public eye. Her aim was to change the view of immigration at hiring agencies in Austria. Despite what the media may portray in local communities, “refugees are qualified,” she said. By presenting the stories of hardworking individual refugees to a greater audience, she said, she could communicate that “these people are not ignorant, they need education” along with funding and resources.

Juma Mwangi, a Community Youth Leader and boda boda driver in Nairobi, said that he tries to be a “role model for these youths who I grew up with, and… bring them back from doing crime, being radical, and joining all these groups such as Al Shabab.” He said that a dropout, former gang member, criminal, or someone doing drugs, “can also be a leader and bring peace to our area.” Lately his work has focused on bridging the gap between youth and police, since “it is not easy for our youth to sit in the same place as a policeman.” These dialogues try to show them that “police are also human like us and here to provide security and to keep law and order.”

One challenge he faced in his work was that many youths in his area were not employed. “As much as we can, we try to show them their natural skills and try to show them that they can employ themselves,” despite the fact that “we lack the government support we need,” he said. “I’m trying to show them that if you employ yourself, you have the money and you have the skills, you don’t need to join this group and be a radical or join crime.” Other challenges include the political environment, finance, and hate speech on social media, as well as a lack of understanding the political environment. “Most organizations that come to Majengo come with concepts from boardroom decisions, they don’t know what we go through, they don’t know what we need, and they’re coming to tell us.”

Youth have a large role in peacebuilding, he said, because “when students start protesting, the country starts burning.” But, he continued, “I was amazed to find that a person like me can stand and make a change in a place like Nairobi.”

The Vienna Seminar is annually co-organized by IPI and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration, and Foreign Affairs. This year the seminar featured voices from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens, the Peace and Development Center, the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, and the World Federation of UN Associations, and youth activists, among others.

Other Participants Included:

• Karin Proidl, Director of International Organizations, Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
• Monika Froehler, Chief Executive Officer, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens
• Phillipe Tremblay, Head of the External Co-Operation Section, Office of the Secretary General, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
• Gordana Berjan, Executive Director, European Youth Centre, Council of Europe
• Anna-Katharina Deininger, Focal Point on Youth and Security, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
• Sarah Smith,‘Building Peace’ Programme Officer, Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation
• Margaret Williams, 16+ Forum Coordinator and Senior Policy Officer, World Federation of UN Associations
• Andreas Riecken, Director-General for EU and Multilateral Affairs, Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs

Related Coverage:

• Vienna Seminar – Youth, Peace and Security
• “Partnering with Young People for Prevention: Sustaining Peace and Addressing Violence, Crime and Corruption”

The UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in June 2019. Amidst the potential stagnation of Mali’s peace process, concerns over rising violence against civilians, and continued weaknesses of the Malian government in providing basic services, the upcoming negotiations on MINUSMA’s mandate represent a critical moment to reflect upon the Security Council’s strategic engagement in the country.

In this context, the International Peace Institute (IPI), the Stimson Center, and Security Council Report organized a workshop on May 13, 2019, to discuss MINUSMA’s mandate and political strategy. This workshop provided a forum for member states, UN stakeholders, and outside experts to share their assessments of the situation in Mali. The discussion was intended to help the Security Council make more informed decisions with respect to the strategic orientation, prioritization, and sequencing of the mission’s mandate and actions on the ground.

The workshop highlighted several tensions in the Security Council’s approach to pursuing peace and security in Mali, specifically the tensions inherent in a conflict that is simultaneously transnational and hyper-localized. It also highlighted the debate around whether the mission should focus more on the north or the center of Mali. Participants largely agreed that MINUSMA’s current mandate remains relevant but also put forward several proposals to further strengthen and adapt the mandate in the interest of advancing the mission’s political strategy and achieving the Security Council’s objectives in the coming year. Recommendations included expanding MINUSMA’s political work to the center of the country and supporting a national dialogue, making protection of civilians a strategic priority, increasing support to justice and reconciliation, and strengthening regional coordination.

Gross ODA disbursement to Liberia, 2007–2017 (Click for full graphic)

Top 10 donors of gross overseas development assistance in Liberia, 2015–2017 (Click for full graphic)

The reforms to the UN development system, effective on January 1, 2019, marked the start of a new period for the UN presence in Liberia, making it one of the earliest test cases of a “next generation” UN country team. This comes less than a year after two other transitions: the withdrawal of the UN Mission in Liberia and the inauguration of a new Liberian president. On top of longstanding socioeconomic challenges, these transitions are testing the country’s ability to sustain peace.

This paper, a publication of IPI and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), examines the implementation of the UN’s peacebuilding and sustaining peace framework in Liberia, looking at what has been done and what is still needed. It focuses on the four issue areas highlighted in the secretary-general’s 2018 report on peacebuilding and sustaining peace: operational and policy coherence; leadership at the UN country level; partnerships with local and regional actors; and international support. It looks specifically at how the UN country team is adapting its strategy and operations in the wake of the recent transitions in Liberia.

The changes taking place in Liberia illustrate that efforts to implement the secretary-general’s recommendations are already underway. The UN has implemented a new, innovative model centered on an empowered resident coordinator’s office, which has been able to effectively coordinate its approach with the Liberian government. Nonetheless, this office needs support to ensure that programming is oriented toward conflict prevention and connected to discussions at UN headquarters.

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On Friday, May 24th, IPI together with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are cohosting a policy forum on “The Human Rights Compliance Framework of the G5 Sahel Joint Force.”

Remarks will begin at 10:15am PST / 1:15pm EST

The G5 Sahel Joint Force (Force Conjointe du G5 Sahel or FC-G5S) was launched in 2017 by Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Chad, and Mali to unite their efforts to address common security threats in the region. As the UN Security Council authorized MINUSMA to provide operational and logistical support to the FC-G5S in Resolution 2391, it also called on the G5 Sahel states to “establish a robust compliance framework to prevent, investigate, address and publicly report violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law related to the FC-G5S.”

In that context, the FC-G5S—with operational support from the UN and financial support from the EU—is implementing a human rights and international humanitarian law compliance framework. This framework was established with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that planning and conduct of military operations are done in accordance with human rights and IHL. It aims to establish measures and mechanisms necessary to both minimize civilian harm during offensive military operations and respond to human rights and IHL violations.

This event will provide an opportunity to hear from senior experts from OHCHR, G5 Sahel countries, and civil society organizations. Panelists will provide an overview of the compliance framework and discuss its modalities, challenges, and successes. They will also reflect on the potential for such a model to contribute to the protection of civilians in the Sahel region and to integrate human rights considerations in counter-terrorism operations.

The full concept note for the event is available here.

Welcoming Remarks:
Mr. Jake Sherman, Director of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations, International Peace Institute

Opening Remarks:
Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations [TBC]
Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso to the United Nations [TBC]

Speakers:
Mr. Baptiste Martin, Senior Human Rights Officer and Coordinator of the OHCHR/G5 Sahel project, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Col. Dia Saidou, Military Attaché, Permanent Mission of Mauritania to the United Nations [TBC]
Ms. Georgette Gagnon Director, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, OHCHR
Mr. Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group

Moderator:
Dr. Namie Di Razza, Senior Fellow, International Peace Institute

Concluding Remarks:
Mr. Andrew Gilmour, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and Head of the OHCHR, NY

On Friday, May 24th, IPI together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC), and the Permanent Missions of Poland, France, Iraq, Germany, and Afghanistan to the UN, is co-hosting a policy forum entitled “Finding the Road to Implementing Security Council Resolution 2286.” This is a side event to the 2019 UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians.

Remarks will begin at 5:45am PST / 8:45am EST

In 2016, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2286, a landmark resolution reaffirming the relevance of international humanitarian law and, in particular, its rules relating to the protection of the wounded and sick. The resolution’s adoption represented a strong political commitment to protect the sanctity of healthcare delivery in armed conflict.

Since then, the protection of medical care in armed conflict has received sustained attention at the Security Council. Unfortunately, this has yet to translate into significant and concrete change on the ground. Around the world, attacks on healthcare continue unabated. Beyond attacks, access to impartial medical care has also continued to suffer other, less visible impediments. These include the removal of medical items from aid convoys by armed actors, threats to medical personnel, or the ripple effects of restrictive measures such as counterterrorism regulations, some of which may criminalize the provision of medical care to members of groups considered as “terrorist.” These challenges have an immediate impact on the ability to provide medical care to those who need it, but also create longer-term consequences for the health of entire populations.

This event will provide an opportunity to recall the necessity, in armed conflict, for parties to armed conflict to comply fully with relevant international humanitarian law obligations and the need to take concrete action, at all levels, to stem the flow of attacks and other impediments to the impartial provision of medical care in armed conflict. It also aims to highlight good practice in Resolution 2286’s implementation and identify ways in which member states and relevant institutions can concretely follow up on initiatives to better protect the wounded and sick in armed conflict.

Please find the concept note for the event here.

Introductory remarks:
H.E. Ms. Joanna Wronecka, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Poland to the UN
Ms. Anne Gueguen, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of France to the UN

Speakers:
Mr. Leonard Rubenstein, Chair, Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition
Mr. Hansjoerg Strohmeyer, Chief of the Policy Development and Studies Branch, UN OCHA
H.E. Mrs. Adela Raz, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the UN
H.E. Mr. Mohammad Hussein Ali Bahr Al Uloom, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Iraq to the UN

Closing remarks:
H.E. Mr. Christoph Heusgen, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN

Chair:
Mr. Jake Sherman, Director, Center for Peace Operations, IPI

On Wednesday, May 22nd, IPI together with the Permanent Missions of the Netherlands and Uruguay to the UN, and the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) are cohosting a policy forum on “Twenty Years of Protecting Civilians through UN Peacekeeping Operations: Successes, Challenges, and New Frontiers.” This side event is part of Protection of Civilians Week, which is taking place on the margins of the May 23rd UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians under the Council presidency of the Republic of Indonesia.

Remarks will begin at 10:15am PST / 1:15pm EST

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1270, which authorized the UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone with the first explicit mandate to protect civilians under threat of physical violence under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. To mark this important anniversary, this event will bring together key peacekeeping stakeholders to reflect on the evolution of policy and practice in the implementation of protection of civilians mandates over the past two decades.

The protection of civilians through UN peacekeeping operations has become one of the most important and visible mandates of the United Nations and its member states. Eight out of fourteen UN peacekeeping operations currently have a protection of civilians (POC) mandate, constituting the vast majority of civilian and uniformed personnel deployed to these operations around the world. While POC has been the subject of significant focus by member states at the Security Council and the General Assembly Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the UN Secretariat has also developed a body of policy and guidance that defines the concept of POC and clarifies the responsibilities of civilian, police and military components in protecting civilians.

Peacekeeping missions have also established innovative practical tools and approaches to enhance the implementation of protection mandates and diversify their posture and activities. However, these missions continue to face many challenges in implementing protection of civilians mandates, particularly as they operate in increasingly difficult environments and are asked to do more with less in a context of political and financial pressure.

This side event will take stock of the conceptual and practical evolution of POC in peacekeeping contexts, and draw on experiences and lessons from the field to examine recurring and emerging challenges. Specific and concrete recommendations will be explored to strengthen the protection of civilians through UN peacekeeping operations and prepare these operations to meet the new frontiers of protecting civilians.

The full concept note for the event is available here.

Opening Remarks:
Mr. Jake Sherman, Director of the Center for Peace Operations, International Peace Institute
H.E. Mr. Karel Van Oosterom, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Netherlands to the United Nations

Keynote Address:
H.E. Mr. Jean- Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations

Speakers:
Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, UN Departments of Peace Operations and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Mr. David Gressly, Deputy Special Representative for Operations and the Rule of Law, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO)
Lt. Cdr. Marcia Braga, Former Military Protection of Civilians and Gender Advisor, United National Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and 2019 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award Winner
Ms. Alison Giffen, Director, Peacekeeping, Center for Civilians in Conflict

Moderator:
Dr. Namie Di Razza, Senior Fellow, International Peace Institute

Concluding Remarks:
H.E. Mr. Elbio Rosselli, Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations

On Wednesday, May 22nd, IPI is hosting the next event in its “Leading for Peace: Voices from the Field” series, featuring Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. Mr. Salame will share his reflections on the ongoing crisis in Libya and the prospects for peace.

Remarks will begin at 5:15am PST / 8:15am EST

He brings to this position over three decades of experience in public service and academia. In 2003, Mr. Salamé served as the Political Adviser to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), where he played a crucial role in bringing together Iraqi factions. He was then appointed as Senior Adviser to the Secretary-General (2003-2007, 2012). In 2016, he joined the Commission on the Rakhine State (Myanmar) chaired by Kofi Annan. For most of his career, Mr. Salamé was a professor of international relations at Sciences-Po (Paris) and he is the founding Dean of its Paris School of International Affairs.

Mr. Salamé received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Public Law from Saint-Joseph University in Lebanon, PhDs in Humanities from Paris III Sorbonne-Nouvelle University and in Political Science from the Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne University.

The event will be moderated by IPI’s Vice President, Dr. Adam Lupel.

In late 2015, momentum toward implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was steadily building in Guatemala. This momentum was driven by the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and protesters in the streets demanding action against corruption. Since 2017, however, a political standoff in Guatemala has started reversing these gains. A sustained reversal would undermine efforts to address the country’s longstanding socioeconomic needs.

This study analyzes recent gains and setbacks in Guatemala’s efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and provides recommendations for ways the country can fight corruption and securitization to sustain peace and promote sustainable development. It suggests better communicating the 2030 Agenda through multi-stakeholder outreach, improving monitoring or progress, aligning international aid with local objectives, and continuing to engage with the private sector.

This issue brief is part of the International Peace Institute’s (IPI) SDGs4Peace project, which seeks to understand how the 2030 Agenda is being rooted at the national and local levels and to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The project focuses on five case studies: Guatemala, the Gambia, Greece, Lebanon, and Myanmar. Implementation of the 2030 Agenda provides each of these countries an opportunity not only to buttress existing aspirations but also to build new partnerships that transcend traditional approaches.

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Graduating high school art students from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, India, Ireland, Australia, United Kingdom and the United States, donated artwork to an IPI MENA “Youth in Art for Peace” exhibition organized in collaboration with Saudi Artist Wedad Al Bakr, Founder of Artwed and peace advocate.

In his opening remarks, IPI MENA Director Nejib Friji stressed IPI’s vision for youth in peacemaking and multilateral policymaking. He called for greater involvement of youth in leadership positions for innovation in the field of peacemaking, and as a deterrence against growing dissatisfaction, violence, and extremism among youth.

Ms. Al Bakr outlined art as a means of intercultural communication, as well a tool for promoting inclusivity, tolerance, and peace. Noting the diversity of youth who convened at IPI MENA as a testament to the unifying power of art, she called on the young artists to build bridges and cultural connections in advocating for peace.

H.E. Selim Ghariani, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the Kingdom of Bahrain, remarked that “it is important to devote time to the initiatives of youth and peace.” He expressed a desire to see concerned players at the regional and international level adopt this initiative and showcase youth artwork.

Noting the “high density of artists, art movements and galleries in Manama” H.E. Kai Boeckmann, the Ambassador of Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Bahrain discussed the potential for youth in art in the Kingdom, saying,  “I welcome the voices of youth, especially speaking on issues such as environmental sustainability and peace, as these are issues that we must tackle together as an international community.”

H.E. Kemal Demirciler, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Kingdom of Bahrain, praised the youth for actively taking up their roles as peace advocates.

The young artists then gave statements on their works, how they were inspired to create them, and what peace means in their artwork.

During the student presentations, Majd Sattam Algosaibi of Ibn Khuldoon School (IKNS) showcased her acrylic painting “Ummah.” Discussing the community’s role in fostering inclusivity, tolerance, and understanding, she hopes to portray in her work “that no one is superior to another and no one deserves more because of authority or race.”

Describing his acrylic painting “Pure Youth,” Hamza Rahma of IKNS School explained that his subject symbolizes the trauma and suffering experienced by children in war and conflict zones. He hoped his audience would assess the sensations and effects of war and thus be inspired to work towards peace.

Stirred by “the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, inequality, stereotypes and war” Juman Al Ghalayini of IKNS School entitled her artwork “Salam” (which means “peace” in Arabic) with the aim to increase awareness. She purposefully detached the letters of the word “salam” in her Arabic calligraphy to symbolize the unachieved peace today. However, she contrasted this negativity through the use of brightly colored, dried flowers as a sign of hope for sustainable peace.

Ahmed Dadabai of Riffa Views International School stated art as a means of storytelling, and a way for him to express peaceful perspectives on the world. His piece depicted Islamic symbols showing “religion as a force of calmness and light, in contrast to its common representation in some media.”

Hana Aysha Noor of Ibn Al Haytham Islamic School focused on discrimination as an obstacle to sustainable peace. She highlighted the role that Nelson Mandela, played in challenging hatred, building understanding and tolerance; core values of durable peace.

Created through a collaboration of six student artists from St. Christopher’s School, the layered and multi-technique artwork “Peace in Sight” depicted the word peace in many languages, including braille. The piece symbolizes the use of art as a communicative tool, often expressing more than words, stated the artists.

Read the Press Release in Arabic>>

Following decades of war, economic decline, and underinvestment, Sudan’s healthcare system entered a new phase of crisis in 2019 as peaceful protests led to the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir. Among those leading these protests were doctors and other medical personnel fed up with poor working conditions and medicine shortages. This speaks to the degraded state of healthcare in the country, particularly in the conflict-affected regions of Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile.

This paper looks at the humanitarian response to health-related needs in these conflict-affected parts of Sudan. After providing an overview of the state of Sudan’s healthcare system, it explores the main trends and challenges in the humanitarian health response, including the difficult partnerships between international and Sudanese health actors, restricted humanitarian access, and the effort to shift toward more sustainable approaches.

It concludes that the humanitarian health response in Sudan is stuck: most agree on the need to move beyond short-term approaches, but the national capacity and development funding needed to make this transition are missing. At the same time, with newly accessible areas exposing unmet needs and conflict and displacement ongoing, a robust humanitarian response is still desperately needed. This situation calls for the UN, donors, and health NGOs to continue their efforts to respond to needs while strengthening the healthcare system, to coordinate humanitarian and development funding, and to advocate for maintaining and extending humanitarian access.

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On April 23rd, IPI together with the Office of the President of the General Assembly, cohosted an interactive discussion in advance of the UN General Assembly high-level event to commemorate the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on April 24th, during which member states will discuss prevailing challenges and renew commitments to a rule-based world order and the multilateral system.

The international rule-based order is challenged on multiple fronts. The weakening of commitments to a rule-based international order is evident in a variety of contexts, as a profound mistrust permeates the system. Part of the answer to the deficit of trust lies in connecting multilateral processes to the interests, concerns, and perspectives of the people. The 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly has been grounded in the theme of making the multilateral system and the UN “relevant to all people.” This aspiration is central to the drive to increase collaborative efforts, build trust, and inspire a recommitment to multilateralism.

IPI and the Office of the PGA fostered a conversation that took stock of factors that may have contributed to the waning credibility of the multilateral system, as well as recent innovative practices to enhance its legitimacy. Participants sought to agree upon ways to lay the foundation for a more trusted, people-centered multilateralism.

The event took place at the United Nations.

Opening remarks:
H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly

Speakers:
Amb. Donald Steinberg, Executive Director, Mobilizing Men as Partners for Women, Peace and Security
Dr. Cecilia Nahón, Executive Director, Model G20 Initiative, American University; and former Ambassador of Argentina to the U.S.
Prof. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Professor of International Affairs and Program Director, The New School
Mr. Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group
Ms. Giovanna Kuele, Member of Steering Committee, Together First and Researcher at the Igarape Institute

Moderator:
The Honorable Kevin Rudd, 26th Prime Minister of Australia; President, Asia Society Policy Institute; and Chairman, IPI Board of Directors

When the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deployed in 2007, the AU and the UN Security Council expected that the United Nations would eventually take over from the AU force. But while a UN peacekeeping operation remains a theoretical option for the council, its prospects have diminished. Instead, the focus of Somali and international efforts has shifted to planning for AMISOM to transition directly Somali security forces without an interim UN mission.

This issue brief outlines the factors behind this shift in intentions, including the new Somali administration’s commitment to assuming responsibility for security, a general agreement that the time had come for an exit strategy, and the Security Council’s reduced appetite for peace operations. It also lays out the objectives, approaches, and status of implementation of the Somali Transition Plan.

Despite steady progress, there is still a long way to go in implementing this plan. Reforms are encountering resistance from vested interests, and al-Shabab poses an ongoing threat. Any sustainable transition from AMISOM must be a long-term project that includes not just a military handover but also political decisions on security and the structure of the state. It also depends on aligning national priorities and international efforts and the willingness of all security actors in Somalia to work together in a pragmatic, transparent, and coordinated way.

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On Thursday, April 25th, IPI is hosting a speaker series event featuring H.E. Mr. Pedro Serrano on the topic of the relationship between the European Union and state actors in the Sahel.

Remarks will begin at 10:15am PST / 1:15pm EST

Pedro Serrano is Deputy Secretary General for Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service (EEAS) since November 2015.

Previously, Mr. Serrano was principal advisor on external relations to the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. Mr. Serrano was the first head of delegation/ambassador of the EU to the United Nations in New York after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.

Since 2003, Mr. Serrano has held numerous positions in the CSDP, including as director for civilian crisis management at the General Secretariat of the council. Prior to 2003, Mr. Serrano served as a Spanish diplomat in numerous positions including at the UN headquarters, and in Cuba and Tanzania.

This event will be moderated by Mr. Jake Sherman, Director of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations at IPI.

On Wednesday, April 24th, IPI is hosting the next event in its “Leading for Peace: Voices from the Field” series, featuring Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on Madagascar, who will share his reflections on the country’s efforts to achieve peace, stability, and a successful democratic transition. He will provide insights into Madagascar’s ongoing electoral process and identify lessons from recent efforts to support and sustain political dialogue, including through partnerships with regional organizations like the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.

Remarks will begin at 10:15am PST / 1:15pm EST

Mr. Bathily was appointed by the Secretary-General as his Special Adviser on Madagascar on April 27, 2018, where he has since worked with both Malagasy and international actors to create a peaceful and credible environment for the December 2018 presidential elections. Until 2016, Mr. Bathily served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). Before that, he served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) in Mali from 2013 to 2014. Prior to his international engagements, Mr. Bathily was a senior minister for the presidency from 2012 to 2013 and a member of Senegal’s Parliament from 1998 to 2000, during which time he served as deputy speaker. For more than thirty years, Mr. Bathily has taught history at the University Sheikh Anta Diop in Dakar. He holds a Doctorat d’Etat from the University of Dakar and a PhD from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The event will be moderated by Dr. Youssef Mahmoud, Senior Adviser for IPI.

UN peacekeeping missions are facing cash-flow problems and financial strains due to the late payment and withholding of assessed contributions. Since the inception of UN peacekeeping, the financing of missions has been a challenge, with periods of calm followed by periods of crisis. The UN has been particularly vulnerable to withheld and late payments from its biggest financial contributors. This has an impact on missions’ effectiveness and the ability of troop-contributing countries to deploy.

This paper examines how member-state contributions to peacekeeping are calculated, historical and current financing challenges faced by peacekeeping missions, and ideas for placing UN peacekeeping on a firmer financial footing. It recommends reevaluating some of the rules and regulations that govern the management of UN peacekeeping. It specifically recommends:

• Creating a cash reserve for peacekeeping: A new reserve fund or the relaxation of restrictions to use of the existing reserve fund could help manage liquidity problems.
• Consolidating peacekeeping accounts: Consolidating the accounts for missions would significantly improve cash management and operational flexibility by allowing the Secretariat to borrow between the accounts of different missions.
• Streamlining budgeting: Aligning the billing process with the budget period would reduce bureaucracy, reducing the burden on both the Secretariat and member states.
• Incentivizing budgetary discipline: Allowing some flexibility on the crediting of savings to member states could improve liquidity and incentivize missions to be more disciplined in their spending.
• Encouraging prompt payments: To encourage member states to meet the deadline for payments, they could be penalized for making late payments or given positive incentives to pay on time.

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On Thursday, April 18th, IPI together with Monash University and Griffith University are cohosting an event entitled “Policy, Promise, and Pitfalls: Women, Peace and Security in 2020.”

Remarks will begin at 3:15 pm PST / 6:15pm EST

In October 2020, the global community will mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UNSCR 1325, the UN Security Council’s first resolution dedicated to Women, Peace and Security (WPS). This penultimate year before the anniversary is an important time to take stock and engage with what the international community has achieved toward the WPS agenda and where further action should be taken. It is a time to be creative in assessment and analysis of the issues, institutions, and locations where WPS implementation could improve international peace and security.

The evening’s discussion will bring together the WPS community to discuss the intersection of policy and promise toward achieving the transformational potential of the WPS agenda. This includes the collective obligations of civil society, governments, and the UN.

Opening remarks:
H.E. Mr. Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of the Mission of Sweden to the United Nations
Dr. Jacqui True, Professor of Politics & International Relations and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Monash University

Speakers:
Ms. Nahla Valji, Senior Gender Adviser, Executive Office of the Secretary-General
Ms. Ray Acheson, Director, Reaching Critical Will

Moderator:
Dr. Sarah Taylor, Senior Fellow, International Peace Institute

The international rule-based order has come under threat on multiple fronts. If it continues to deteriorate into an older model based on power politics, small states—by definition vulnerable in a world where only might makes right—are most at risk. This makes them natural defenders of the international order that protects them.

How can small countries serve as effective champions of the rule-based order and international law? This paper explores this question by looking at the role of small states on the UN Security Council. The council, with its five veto-wielding permanent members, is perhaps not an obvious place to look at the role of small states. Nonetheless, it presents critical opportunities, as well as difficult challenges, for small states.

This paper concludes that small states on the Security Council are well-placed to provide an important, credible voice with moral authority to remind all member states of their obligations under international law, reaffirm normative commitments to compliance, and advocate for a recommitment to a multilateral, rule-based international order. Perhaps not since the founding of the United Nations has that voice been more necessary for all to hear.

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