
EU Community of Practice 2021
Bringing the new EU Concept on Mediation to life together.
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Tuesday to Thursday, 27-29 April 2021

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Background and Programme
Organised for the third time, the EU Community of Practice on peace mediation 2021 will host a rich exchange with civil society and EU actors. This online event aims at building a community of peace mediation practitioners who engage with and for the EU around the Globe. We bring together active mediation practitioners and partners to share experiences, learn lessons and drive forward key issues in peace-making.
Following the 2020 EU Peace Mediation Concept, this year we will engage on the thematic priorities of digital mediation and environmental peace-making, and consider mediation perspectives in strategically important regions. Present and future challenges will be addressed in plenary and breakout sessions. Join us and share your experience to shape EU peace mediation engagements to come.
27 April — Plenary
09:00 — Opening and reception
12:30-13:30
High-Level Plenary: EU Peace Mediation in Times of Uncertainty.
New policy framework and capacity to face new challenges
A panel of high-level EU officials and experts will discuss the recently-published EU Concept on Peace Mediation, the guidelines that accompany it, and their strategic and practical implications. What is the policy framework for its implementation, and how might potential challenges be addressed?
13:30-14:30
Response to the High-Level Plenary from the Members of the EU Mediation Community of Practice’s Steering Committee
Building on the High-Level Plenary, Members of the Community of Pratice’s Steering Committee will provide feedback and priority areas for future engagement.
Jonathan Cohen, Conciliation Resources
Emma Leslie, Centre for Peace and conflict Studies
Vasu Gounden, ACCORD
Luxshi Vimalarajah, Berghof Foundation
Bernardo Venturi, Agency for Peacebuilding
Laurent Goetschel, swisspeace
Hayden Allen, ACCORD
28 April — Thematic Panels
The second day will be dedicated to two of the thematic priorities in the Concept of Mediation: digital peacemaking, and the climate, with special attention to the role of minorities in both.
08:30 — Opening and reception
09:00-10:30
Disinformation as a threat to peace mediation: what steps can the EU take?
Jonathan Harlander, Senior Project Manager on Digital Peacemaking, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI)
10:30 — Interactive recap and break
11:00-12:30
Peace mediation and climate: multitrack mediation at a new crossroads
Olivia Lazard, Environmental Peacemaking and Mediation Expert; Director of Peace in Design Consulting Ltd; Visiting Researcher at Carnegie Europe
12:30 — Interactive recap and end of the day
29 April — Lessons: interactive sessions and breakouts
08:30 — Opening and reception
09:00-12:30
Morning Block: Geopolitics as a challenge to EU Peace Mediation. Regional perspectives
Horn of Africa Regional Panel—Vasu Gounden, ACCORD
Asia Regional panel—Emma Leslie, Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies
Latin America Regional Panel—Mark Freeman , Institute for Integrated Transitions
12:30 — Interactive recap and break
14:00-17:00
Afternoon Block: sessions proposed by participants
We want to continue the collaboration started in the previous CoP meetings. This year, you can propose a facilitated session or a booth where you can show your work for Day 3. Read more on this below.
Want to add yours to the list? Simply fill in the form below!

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On 29 April, you decide what needs to be brought to the EU’s peace mediation agenda
Booths: showcase your work and get feedback from colleagues in a simple format.
Booths are virtual standing desks where you can post a single-slide presentation and tells others about the work you do. You can also interact through video chat. On Day 3, booths are available during the whole afternoon.
Sessions: collaborate with others to advance important topics
Discuss a topic or case of your choice by proposing (and facilitating!) a session or join any session proposed by others. Participants will jointly build a report from these sessions, to be shared with the plenary.
Add your own