10 Years of Peacebuilding
Grassroots efforts for sustainable peace
The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers was initiated in 2013 as a direct result of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s report titled “Strengthening the role of mediation in the peacebuild settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution” (UN GA Report A/66/811, 2012) and the supporting guidance titled “UN Guidance for Effective Mediation” (UN GA Resolution 65/283, 2012).
Since becoming operational, the Network has supported individual traditional and faith-oriented insider mediators, intra- and inter-faith dialogues, and the advancement of reconciliation efforts. The membership of the Peacemakers Network has grown to include over 80+ members based in 34 countries, representing inter-and-intra-governmental agencies, regional bodies, academic institutions, international and national organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations, and religious and traditional peacemakers.
2023 marks the 10-Year Anniversary of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers! We are proud to reflect and celebrate the enhanced role and capacity of religious and traditional actors in broader mediation and peacebuilding processes.
Highlights of the Peacemakers Network
• 2011 ––––
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland and Finn Church Aid demonstrated the successful role or religious and traditional actors in peace and security in fragile contexts.
––– 2012 –––
Group of Friends Mediation led by Finland and Turkey tabled at the General Assembly Resolution 65/283.
Ban Ki-moon issued the report “Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution” (UN GA Report A/66/811, 2012).
The Finnish Mission hosted a gathering of members United Nations Peacekeeping/United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affiars Finland, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Religions for Peace, Finn Church Aid, and civil society to identify mechanisms to actualize the report.
––– 2013 –––
Birth of The Network for religious and Traditional Peacemakers. Finn Church Aid became the Secretariat host.
Collaboration of Foreign Affairs Finland to support the core function of the Network.
Guidance of Steering Group to recruit members to join the Peacemakers Network.
––– 2016 –––
First engagement in research projects to understand the root causes of violent extremism, particularly in the Horn of Africa.
––– 2018 –––
SEA-AIR project becomes the first of many European Union-funded projects that enabled large scale support to grassroots peacebuilders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland commissioned an independent evaluator to conduct report on the state of the Peacemakers Network led by the Steering Group and its members.
Being a member of the Peacemakers Network provides an incredible platform for collaboration and learning with like-minded individuals and organizations. In the past two years, the Network has supported the participation of young people in our global youth forums. Being part of a global community of peacemakers inspires us as a youth organization to continue working towards sustainable peace and development.
Liliya Khasanova
A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY)
Highlights of the Peacemakers Network
––– 2019 ––––
The 5 Year Strategy was officially adopted at the Advisory Group Meeting in Jakarta.
––– 2020 –––
Faith communities support the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery.
––– 2021 –––
Oman joins the Peacemakers Network’s Steering Group.
––– 2022 –––
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland, Finn Church Aid, and the Peacemakers Network hosts the National Dialogue Conference in Finland.
The Peacemakers Network commits to the Generation Equality at the Women Peace and Security Humanitarian Action Compact.
First formalized membership structure and gathering in Oman for the 14th Advisory Group Meeting hosted by Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments.
––– 2023 ––>
The Peacemakers Network’s continued partnership with United Nations Alliance of Civilization on the intercultural fellowship exchange which brought together young people from Europe, Middle East, North Africa, and North America to learn and meet with key stakeholders and broader civil society.
Hear from our members
How has the Peacemakers Network impacted your work?
Being a member of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers has brought a huge change in my work. [The impact of my work] has been broadened because the Peacemakers Network has brought many connections from all over the world from grassroots organizations to the international organizations.
The West Africa Center for Peace Foundation decided to join the Peacemaker’s Network membership because of it’s values and mission. Our scope of work we do in Ghana with young people involves a lot of advocacy and training, which aligns with the Peacemakers Network’s four priorities.
The Rose Castle Foundation became a member of the Peacemakers Network partly because of it’s emphasis on collaboration and networking. I really feel that our industry has been siloed for far too long, which makes it more important that smaller and grassroots organizations being able to come together and actively support each other in fundraising, advocacy, training […]. The best way we can ensure that type of collaboration is to have local, traditional, indigenous, and religious-led organizations take lead for anything that is happening internationally.
I see the Peacemakers Network as an organization that brings in diverse organizations together in the field of interfaith peacemaking. As a promising leader in my community, I feel that because of the support from the Peacemakers Network, I have been able to meet a lot of people, both young and old, in the field of peacemaking and interfaith dialogue.
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