In recent decades the conflict landscape appears to have changed markedly. Geopolitics are back; there has been an uptick in intra- and inter-state conflicts; there are more and more proxy wars and armed non-state actors; and the multilateral system (including the UN) is less integral to peacemaking efforts than it once was. Even more concerning, the sheer number and scale of armed conflicts has ballooned to a level not seen for decades. What does this say about the practice of mediation – is it an outdated tool? Is it simply powerless in countering the resurgence of a ‘might makes right’ mantra? Or does it merely need rethinking and refining to make it fit for purpose? A high-powered panel examined these questions.

Participants:

Katia Papagianni: Director of Policy and Mediation Support, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) in Geneva

Neha Sanghrajka: Negotiator, author and mediator with more than 17 years of experience in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation. She is currently a fellow at Harvard University and a Senior Advisor for UNOPS.

Matt Waldman: Senior Adviser at the European Institute of Peace; Expert Adviser and Facilitator at the European Leadership Network; and Research Associate of the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University.

Betty Bigombe: Former Senior Director ‘Fragility, Conflict and Violence’ at the World Bank; Ugandan Special Envoy to the South Sudan peace process

Paul Dziatkowiec (moderator): Director for Mediation and Peace Support at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP); former senior Australian diplomat; Fellow of the Oxford Global Society