Expert workshop on the EU multitrack approach in International Peace Mediation (16.3.2009)

On the 26-27 January 2009, the mediation cluster of the Initiative for Peacebuilding organised an expert workshop to discuss the EU multitrack approach in International Peace Mediation

The aim of the expert workshop was to discuss the EU multitrack approach in International Peace Mediation and to strengthen the cooperation between the EU and private diplomacy actors in this particular field. The event was attended by nearly 30 officials from the European Commission, the European Council, actors from the peacebuilding/conflict resolution NGO sector. A substantial number of the participants were trained mediators.

The workshop focused on two aspects:

1. The view of non-state actors on the role and potential of the EU in International Peace Mediation and cooperation
2. The needs of the EU in International Peace Mediation
In particular, a needs analysis published by the IfP served as frame for the workshop.

The workshop could benefit by lively interaction and dynamic engagement of all participants on the topic. All the more, the broad scope of experience and the controversial discussion of the topics served as a basis the future debate on International Peace Mediation in the context of the European Union in the field of multi-track mediation, and how it can engaged with specialized organizations in the non-governmental sector. This meeting was followed by a consultative workshop organized by Swisspeace with the purpose to provide inputs for the upcoming report on mediation for the UN Security Council.

Methodology

The workshop took place on two half-days: On the afternoon and evening of Monday, 26 January 2009 and the morning of the 27 January 2009. The focus of the first half day was on the view of non-state actors. Correspondingly, the second half-day focused on the view and needs of the EU. This ensured a holistic approach on the topic. The workshop was facilitated by Antje Herrberg.
The first half day started with an introduction on the needs analysis and a framing of the issues. In a following discussion individual contributions were collected and consequently clustered which resulted in four working groups for the later afternoon. Each of the working groups presented its results.

The second half-day started with presentations from the EUSR for Moldova, Kalman Miszei, and the EUSR for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, on their work and especially the role of mediation and non-state actors for their missions. Representatives from the Commission presented thereafter different instruments witch deal to certain extend with mediation. This was follow consequently by working group sessions: the groups indentified the steps to enhance and achieve multitrack mediation. Each of the working groups presented its working results. A final session attempted to recap the overall general challenges brought the seminar to a close.


The report is available in Pdf-form here: Click here

Initiative for Peacebuilding