News and Insight

Conciliation Resources is excited to announce that we have signed a recognition agreement with Community Union who will represent a large proportion of our UK employees. This partnership means that Community will negotiate pay, terms and conditions for their members as well as being consulted on working practices.

This month the United Nations Security Council unanimously endorsed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for a global ceasefire. Resolution 2532 recognises that COVID-19 is already exacerbating existing issues in conflict-affected countries, and demanded a cessation of hostilities as the only way to ensure an effective response to the pandemic. However, in many countries, the resolution is yet to have an effect and COVID-19 is continuing to have a negative impact on prospects for peace.

Reimagining Victory is a digital series, developed by Conciliation Resources in partnership with the IWM Institute. The series sees leading journalists, peacebuilders, artists and academics discuss the concept of victory, and look at some of the most pressing issues surrounding conflict and peacebuilding in today’s world. As we mark 75 years since the end of the second world war, what does it really mean to ‘win’ a war today?

The COVID-19 pandemic has not paused conflict around the world – despite calls for a global ceasefire, researchers have found. The data comes from a new digital tracking tool developed by the University of Edinburgh, with support from Conciliation Resources and our strategic partners mediatEUr.

From North America to South Asia the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated societal conflicts promoting a rise in militarised responses from governments. But behind the headlines and stark images, community leaders, including women peacebuilders are stepping in to mediate and deescalate tensions.

If we want to see societies win the peace we need a concept of victory that is about justice and reconciliation, inclusion and equality.

Across Nigeria, the Sahel and other parts of Africa, many communities seem locked in a worsening cycle of herder-farmer violence. The pain, suffering and loss from herder-farmer conflict is immeasurable and on a devastating scale.

For the second year running our Brussels-based strategic partner mediatEUr has assisted the Mediation Support Team of the European External Action Service (EEAS) to convene its Community of Practice on Peace Mediation through its Framework Contract for Mediation Support.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread rapidly through the highly militarised region of Jammu and Kashmir, the need for sustained communication and collaboration across the Line of Control has become more important than ever. Rather than distracting from the divisions caused by conflict, the pandemic is deepening them. But can a collaborative response to COVID-19 become a tool for peacebuilding in this divided region?

2020 marks the 75th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day when the Allied nations celebrated victory over Nazi Germany and Japan. Today, as on-going conflicts descend into drawn out endgames, what does it really mean to ‘win’ a war and what challenges are faced when it comes to peacebuilding, and post-conflict healing? These are the questions central to Reimagining Victory, a new digital series that explores the state of war and peace in relation to twenty-first century conflict.

Yesterday the UK announced the merger of the Department for International Development (DFID) with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This move presents real risks but also potential opportunities for the UK’s contribution to reducing conflict and supporting peace overseas.

In a letter released today, experts in conflict resolution and human rights, call on the French and Spanish governments to release Basque prisoners who are vulnerable to COVID-19 or are eligible for parole. The letter is signed by over 100 hundred people, including Conciliation Resources’ Executive Director Jonathan Cohen. Read the full statement below.