Sommet des jeunes - Les jeunes des Grands Lacs plaident pour un leadership inclusif et une participation active à la consolidation de la paix

Au cœur de la région des Grands Lacs, les jeunes du Burundi, du Rwanda, de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) et de l'Ouganda se mobilisent pour demander une place à la table de la reconstruction de leurs nations après des années de conflit. Avec une volonté inébranlable, ils exigent un leadership inclusif et une participation active à la consolidation de la paix.

Le sommet Great Lakes Youth Peace (GLYP), organisé par Interpeace et ses organisations partenaires, le Centre d'alerte et de prévention des conflits (Burundi), Action pour la paix et la Concorde (RDC), Pole Institute (RDC), Refugee Law Project (Ouganda), Never Again Rwanda (Rwanda) et Vision jeunesse nouvelle (Rwanda), a offert une plateforme permettant aux jeunes de faire entendre leur voix et de s'unir en tant que futurs leaders dans leur quête de paix et de développement. Le sommet s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'initiative Great Lakes YouthLab soutenue par l'Union européenne et la Coopération suisse au développement, qui vise à promouvoir une culture de paix et de citoyenneté responsable chez les jeunes de la région des Grands Lacs.

Bien qu'ils soient confrontés à des défis tels que le chômage, la pauvreté et un accès limité à l'éducation, les jeunes refusent d'être considérés par leurs difficultés. Lors du sommet, les participants ont identifié des obstacles communs et fait des recommandations aux décideurs. Ils ont souligné la nécessité d'allocations budgétaires ciblées pour autonomiser les jeunes grâce à des programmes tels que la formation professionnelle, le mentorat et le soutien à l'entrepreneuriat.

L'éducation a occupé le devant de la scène, avec des appels à un soutien accru pour les programmes de formation professionnelle. L'équité entre les sexes a également été soulignée, appelant à l'inclusion des jeunes femmes dans les processus de prise de décision et les activités économiques. Le sommet GLYP a présenté le pouvoir transformateur de l'engagement des jeunes à travers les discussions inaugurales de ceux-ci sur les Grands Lacs. Ces conversations ont montré que les jeunes ne cherchent pas seulement à se faire entendre, mais qu'ils sont activement à l'origine de changements positifs dans leurs communautés.

L'impact du sommet va au-delà de ses recommandations. Il ouvre la voie à une plus grande participation des jeunes aux initiatives de gouvernance, de consolidation de la paix et de développement. Les décideurs, les organisations de la société civile et les acteurs régionaux commencent à reconnaître et à apprécier le pouvoir des voix des jeunes. En adoptant leurs idées, en fournissant des ressources et en favorisant un environnement inclusif, la région des Grands Lacs peut exploiter le potentiel de sa jeune génération et transformer sa trajectoire.

À mesure que l'élan se renforce, le monde doit activement impliquer et soutenir les jeunes dans leurs efforts. Le cheminement vers une paix et un développement durables nécessite la contribution de toutes les parties prenantes, avec les jeunes au premier plan. Ensemble, ils peuvent construire une région où les opportunités abondent, les blessures des conflits cicatrisent et les rêves et aspirations des jeunes se réalisent. La jeunesse des Grands Lacs est prête à laisser sa marque et les dirigeants politiques et de la société civile commencent à reconnaître son pouvoir.

Interpeace accueille deux ambassadeurs au sein de son Conseil consultatif - S.E. Eamonn Mac Aodha d'Irlande et S.E. Lars Tummers des Pays-Bas

Interpeace a l'honneur d'accueillir deux ambassadeurs au sein de son Conseil consultatif : S.E. Eamonn Mac Aodha, chargé d'affaires ad interim de la Mission permanente de l'Irlande auprès des Nations Unies à Genève et S.E. Lars Tummers, représentant permanent adjoint du Royaume des Pays-Bas auprès des Nations Unies à Genève. Ceux-ci ont repris le siège pour leur gouvernement au sein de cette instance et ont été officiellement accueillis lors d'une réunion tenue le 8 novembre 2022.

Interpeace est reconnaissante envers l'ambassadeur Michael Gaffey et l'ambassadrice Nathalie Olijslager pour leurs précieuses contributions durant leur mandat au sein du Conseil consultatif. Leur expérience et leur expertise ont permis à l'organisation de bénéficier de conseils stratégiques clés et d'orientations sur les politiques et pratiques de consolidation de la paix.

Avant de devenir le représentant de l'Irlande auprès des Nations unies à Genève, l'ambassadeur Eamonn Mac Aodha a occupé le poste de directeur des relations avec le Parlement européen et des affaires interinstitutionnelles à la représentation irlandaise auprès de l'UE depuis 2017. Il apporte plus de trois décennies d'expérience dans la diplomatie et les affaires internationales, ayant rejoint le service extérieur irlandais en 1990. En plus de son travail diplomatique, il a été membre du Conseil de la presse irlandaise et professeur adjoint à l'Université nationale d'Irlande.

L'ambassadeur Lars Tummers a été nommé ambassadeur adjoint des Pays-Bas auprès des Nations unies à Genève en 2022. Auparavant, il a été ambassadeur en Libye de 2018 à 2021 et envoyé spécial pour la lutte contre le terrorisme au sein du ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères. En outre, il a été chef des affaires politiques à l’ambassade de son pays au Soudan, conseiller politique principal dans la mission de l'OSCE au Kosovo, conseiller politique dans la Force de protection du Kosovo, secrétaire permanent de l'ONU au Kosovo et membre de l'équipe juridique de la Force de protection de l'ONU à Sarajevo.

Le Conseil consultatif est un organe statutaire de haut niveau au sein d'Interpeace. Sa mission consiste à aider l'organisation au moyen de conseils et d'orientations stratégiques sur la politique et les pratiques de consolidation de la paix. Il est composé de représentants gouvernementaux et intergouvernementaux sélectionnés, nommés en raison du rôle unique que ces personnes sont capables de jouer pour relier la politique et la pratique de la paix et de la sécurité.

Nous nous réjouissons de travailler avec l'ambassadeur Mac Aodha et l'ambassadeur Tummers, car nous cherchons à renforcer notre positionnement sur les principaux programmes de politique internationale. Actuellement, le Conseil consultatif d'Interpeace est composé de représentants de l'Afghanistan, du Canada, du Danemark, de la Finlande, de l'Irlande, du Mexique, des Pays-Bas, de Singapour et de la Suède.

A Brief Analysis of New UN Security Council Resolution 2535 on Youth, Peace and Security

Read A Brief Analysis of New UN Security Council Resolution 2535 on Youth, Peace and Security.

By: Graeme Simpson & Ali Altiok.

Interpeace Governing Board welcomes three new members

Interpeace is pleased to announce the appointments of three new members to its Governing Board: Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, as the new Representative of the Host Government, Switzerland; Mohamed Khaled Khiari, as the Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General; and Nathalie Delapalme.

“I am delighted to welcome Ambassador Geissbühler, Mr. Khiari and Ms. Delapalme as new Board members,” said Monica McWilliams, Chair of the Interpeace Governing Board. “These individuals bring diversity, expertise and very rich experience in their different fields, from which Interpeace will benefit enormously”.

Nathalie Delapalme is the Executive Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Before her appointment to the Foundation, Nathalie was a French senior civil servant, and served in various roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in other departments. A recipient of several awards, Nathalie is Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, and sits on the Board of Institut Francais des Relations Internationales (IFPRI).

Nathalie Delapalme. Photo credits: Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Ambassador Simon Geissbühler is a Swiss diplomat, historian, and political scientist, currently serving as Head of the Human Security Division at the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs. He previously served as Switzerland’s Deputy Head of Mission to the United States in Washington D.C. from 2017 to 2020, and has held various other positions in the Swiss Foreign Service.

Simon Geissbühler. Photo Credit: Human Security Division of the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs

Mohamed Khaled Khiari, a Tunisian diplomat with over 35 years in diplomacy and foreign affairs, is currently the Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations of the United Nations. Before his appointment as Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Khiari was Director General of Americas, Asia and Oceania in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia.

Photo credits: UN

Together with existing members of the Board, the new members of the Governing Board will provide strategic direction, counsel and guidance to Interpeace.

Welcoming the appointments, the President of Interpeace, Scott Weber, said, “Our new Board members are deeply committed individuals who share Interpeace’s mission of reinforcing the capacities of societies to address conflict in non-violent and enduring ways. The new members bring a wealth of expertise and a rich diversity of experience that will add value, wisdom and impact to Interpeace’s crucial peacebuilding work worldwide.”

The Interpeace Governing Board is comprised of prominent individuals from the government, international, and business sectors. The Board is the top decision-making body of the organization and provides direction to Interpeace’s overall strategy.

Two permanent seats on the Governing Board are reserved for founding institutional members – one for the Host Government, Switzerland, and another for a designated representative of the United Nations Secretary-General. These permanent institutional memberships cement the commitment of Interpeace, the Government of Switzerland and the United Nations to continue to work together for sustained peace worldwide.

Elhadj As Sy appointed to the Governing Board of Interpeace

Interpeace is delighted to announce that Elhadj As Sy has been appointed to join the Governing Board of Interpeace.

Mr. Sy gladly accepted the appointment, stating that “communities around the world are striving for peace to create an enabling environment for their health, development and wellbeing. It’s my privilege to join the Interpeace Governing Board and to contribute to its mission to make peace possible”.

Mr. Sy brings strong experience from decades of working in the humanitarian sector, including in numerous leadership roles. Most recently, from 2014 to 2020, Mr. Sy served as the Secretary General of the world’s largest humanitarian network – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Previous roles include senior positions at the United Nations Children’s agency (UNICEF), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), The United Nations Development Program (UNDP)la Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and The Environment and Development Action in the Third World (Enda Tiers Monde).

Photo credits: Interpeace, by Elhadj As Sy.

“In a world where humanitarian and development actors are struggling to secure the trust of affected communities, it is timely to welcome an outstanding humanitarian, such as Mr. As Sy, on to the Governing Board of Interpeace to enhance our peacebuilding efforts,” said the Board Chairperson, Monica McWilliams.

Mr. Sy is a member of the Global Commission on Adaptation, and, since 2018, has co-chaired the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board jointly convened by the World Health Organisation et World Bank Group. He is also a member of the Roll Back Malaria Board since 2016, Governor at Wellcome Trust, and Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation Board since 2019.

“I am delighted to welcome Mr. Sy to Interpeace. His strong values, leadership experience and his commitment to protecting and enhancing the dignity of all people is truly inspiring,” said Interpeace President, Scott Weber.

Mr. Sy is a Senegalese national, also a graduate from the Vienna Diplomatic Academy, and speaks French, English, and German.

L' Interpeace Governing Board is made up of prominent individuals from the government, international, and business sectors. It is the highest decision-making body of the organization and plays a key role in defining Interpeace’s overall strategy.

Photo credits: Interpeace.

Partnership beyond projects: the importance of local ownership and trust

Interpeace et le Centre d'études pour la paix et le développement (CEPAD) have worked together since 2007, supporting peacebuilding processes in Timor-Leste. Our partnership began in response to the violent political crisis of 2006, which revealed the challenges of a young nation adopting a new system of state structures. Throughout the years, we used Participatory Action Research (PAR) and piloted innovative approaches to assessing local resilience (Frameworks for Assessing Resilience) to help break cycles of violence and create a safe environment for the Timorese. This work enabled bottom up and locally owned solutions to be formulated, to identify and address local grievances in a non-violent and sustainable manner. CEPAD is now considered a “go-to” organization for peace and development challenges, and is recognized for promoting inclusive democracy by providing safe spaces for community dialogue.

In 2019, a case study of Interpeace’s long-standing partnership with CEPAD was developed as part of the Stopping As Success (SAS) initiative – a collaborative learning project that aims to study and provide guidelines on how to ensure locally led development and peacebuilding. The SAS initiative touches on many of the core principles Interpeace was founded on – local ownership, long term commitment, process-oriented work and the primacy of trust as a keystone to peace. ‘Success’ in locally led peacebuilding work can be defined in many ways, and an organizational or programmatic exit of an INGO or International Organization in lieu of successful and sustainable local organizations is one important indicator. However, a larger understanding of ‘success’ in locally owned peacebuilding ought to ultimately be about whether the broader social contract is moving towards peace. As peacebuilders, Interpeace and our partners always aim toward that ultimate goal.

In order to achieve sustainable peacebuilding processes that reinforce a peaceful social contract we have long known local ownership and not internationally driven approaches is key. While this has long been recognized, operationalizing local ownership of peacebuilding remains an ongoing challenge. That is why the SAS case study ,“Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD) and Interpeace: A partnership transition in Timor-Leste”, is an instructive example of the practical steps international actors can take to support the efforts of a locally led organization developing locally owned and inclusive peacebuilding solutions.

CEPAD Timor-Leste. Photo credit: Steve Tickner 2009

Fostering local ownership through sustainable partnerships

For over 25 years, Interpeace’s approach has made sure that local people are at the heart of building peace. We believe that peace must be built from within societies and not imposed from the outside. Therefore, from the outset of our partnership with CEPAD, we put our trust in our partners local teams to lead the strategic management and implementation of project activities. Interpeace provided ongoing technical , financial and capacity-building support to CEPAD, since its creation in 2007. However, in 2015, Interpeace began a process to phase out its financial support to remain engaged with CEPAD solely in an advisory capacity. While Interpeace provided financial and technical support as well as supported the development, implementation and evaluation of projects, delivered ongoing training to CEPAD staff, CEPAD was in the driver’s seat.

A CEPAD staff member mentioned, “Interpeace stopped the funds in 2016 but the relationship continued. Whenever we have any difficulties, we contact Interpeace and get their ideas and comments on our work and situations that we are facing.”

The case study developed by SAS captures how Interpeace’s approach – working with local partners and committing to long-term engagement – is critical to ensure sustainable peacebuilding efforts. It highlights that the trust that was built during almost a decade between Interpeace-CEPAD, helped both organizations as Interpeace transitioned away from providing financial support.

A number of key lessons were also mentioned by the case study: a.) strong leadership is an important factor when creating and sustaining an NGO that can operate successfully when financial support from an INGO partner ends; b.) adopting bottom-up, locally led models from the outset – as opposed to time-bound, top-down projects – contributes to a more sustainable transition process; and c.) it is possible for INGOs to find creative ways of continuing to support locally led organizations and initiatives after transitions have concluded.

CEPAD Timor-Leste. Photo credit: Steve Tickner 2009

Read the full case study or 2-page summary

Read here for more on why local ownership is important for peace and for brief examples of tools and approaches to enable local leadership and ownership.