Dialogue Series 'Local Solutions Towards Peaceful Coexistence' launched with local and regional actors

The first of five regional discussions was held on 26 November 2024 in Geneva to find ways of addressing the inclusion of forced displacement in peacebuilding processes and local solutions for peaceful coexistence. More than 70 organisations from a broad range of stakeholder groups were represented, which are to play a key role in realizing the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.

Multiple crises and unresolved conflicts are causing an unprecedented number of people to be forcibly displaced worldwide, creating a pressing need for increased coordination and collaboration between humanitarian, development, peace and security actors. This challenging displacement landscape calls for local solutions that support peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, dialogue, and social cohesion initiatives at the grassroots level.

Providing historical context, Dr Anne Hammerstad from Agulhas Applied Knowledge emphasized that peacebuilding takes time: "Vigilance for peace needs to remain strong. Peace building work starts long before peace is possible and needs to keep going long after fighting ends."

Prof. Fadi Daou, Executive Director of Globethics highlighted the unique perspective of local stakeholders: "The closer we are to local realities, the more precise the data is and more effective the interventions." The Rt Reverend Mark Edington, Bishop in charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and member of UNHCR’s Multi-Religious Council of Leaders reinforced the importance of local actors saying, "Our most powerful witness to the values we share happens at the local level, where efforts to address the needs of refugees and the most vulnerable among us make clear in a compelling way the deep commitment to human dignity and flourishing that our traditions hold in common."

Focusing on the role of refugees in parliamentary consultations, Mr. Peter Mozolevsky noted the importance of including refugee perspectives in decision-making processes, as demonstrated by Switzerland's Refugee Parliament, "The Refugee Parliament serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between refugees, Swiss authorities as well as politicians, and civil society actors. The Refugee Parliament is represented by refugees only – refugees lift their voices in the political system on their own behalf."

The important role of women in peacebuilding was emphasised by UN Women and UNFPA. Ms Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Former VP of the European Parliament, said "It is leadership which decides about war or peace, outcomes of negotiations and ceasefires. It’s well researched and documented that women leaders make a significant and positive impact. More women in political leadership means more peace.” Ms Koch-Mehrin further emphasised the importance of refugee leadership citing influential political leaders with refugee backgrounds.

In Europe, Ms Jin Dawood, founder of Peace Therapist, and Nansen Award winner connecting people across Turkey and the MENA region with trauma and mental health support emphasised the importance of building inner peace. She talked about her experience bringing people together from different nations together. She said that when people know each other, they have empathy towards each other.

The perspective shared by leaders highlighted the critical role of refugee-led organisations in developing sustainable solutions to forced displacement to a diverse group of stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil society organisations, faith-based networks, and community leaders.

The initiative which brought together over 70 refugee-led, faith-based, and UN organisations aims to bridge gaps between humanitarian, development, and peace actors, recognising that grassroots approaches often provide the most holistic solutions to complex displacement challenges.

"The urgency of durable solutions cannot be emphasized enough. Of these, peace is the most durable and sustainable of all solutions. And it is most desperately needed, as the precursor to the voluntary return of refugees to their countries of origin, in safety and dignity" said Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, who attended the launch of the dialogue series. Mr. Paul Stromberg, Deputy Director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Europe urged support for civil society organisations: "National and local civil society require resources, know-how and qualified staff and the international community is obligated to support the longer-term sustainability and development of civil society."

Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, highlighted the critical intersection of humanitarian action and peace. "There are no longer clear-cut situations of war and peace. Rather peacebuilding efforts should start before a conflict ends and ensure the protection and safe and voluntary return of refugees and IDPs in dignity and safety."

Bellal’s and other participant insights reinforce the roundtable series' commitment to exploring comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approaches to addressing forced displacement.

The Rector of the University for Peace committed to compile and publish an outcome document, promising to bring fresh perspectives in time for the High-Level Officials Meeting in December 2025.

The Global Compact on Refugees recognises that local organisations, especially those led by refugees, youth, women, persons with disabilities, cities, parliaments, academics, and faith-based actors, are key contributors to solutions—a principle at the heart of these critical discussions.