“Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, one of the most recurring “lessons learned” from United Nations and other international efforts to promote peace in war-torn countries is the critical role that frameworks, institutions, and processes of local-level governance play in the sustainability of peace”. Reading this quote from an International IDEA report, who could question the importance of city diplomacy?

But if the membership of UCLG want to be effective partners in promoting dialogue, peace and reconstruction, it will need qualified and dedicated people who can be mobilised at short notice. What makes people qualified for building bridges between conflicting parties? The session will start with experience sharing by people - both with a local government and international background - who have been in a such a position, or who support people involved in mediation and conflict prevention efforts. What are common mistakes and pitfalls? The session aims to facilitate some self-reflection and to help us identify opportunities and limitations of local government people in peace-building. Do we need to, do we want to -and can we- build up a network of qualified local government people who are available for, or who can support, peace-building missions? Issues such as working in a dangerous environment, insurances and legal aspects will also be addressed.

Moderator
Pierre Schapira, Deputy Mayor of Paris (France)


Speakers
Helina Kokkarinen, International Affairs Unit, Ministry of the Interior (Finland)

 

Patrick Gavigan,  Member of the Standby Team of Mediation Experts, UN Department of Political Affairs