Lina María Jaramillo, Local Peacebuilding Expert in Colombia and Peace Connect Advisory Group member, said: “It is paradoxical and tragic that just when the world needs more acts of solidarity to counteract the suffering of war, a cloak of doubt has been raised over the importance of humanitarian assistance and cooperation. Today, we must connect our ideas of peace and solidarity with action if we are to sustain humanity amid this pain, death, and fear. For peacebuilding to remain possible, we must reconfigure the system and strengthen our collective action. That’s why Peace Connect matters in this moment.”
Around 500 peacebuilders and allies are expected to attend, including global leaders in peacebuilding and representatives from Peace Direct’s local partners across 15 countries including Afghanistan, DRC, Sudan, Syria and Colombia. Networks like CIVICUS, MCLD, ICAN, UNOY, and Peace Starts Here will be sharing the stage.
Shaped by local peacebuilders, Peace Connect will disrupt the pattern of international events that exclude local voices and serve the interests of global North power holders. With a programme shaped by peacebuilders, the gathering offers space to focus on topics that truly matter to them: sessions cover practical peacebuilding approaches, integrating indigenous wisdom, making decolonisation a reality, climate-responsive peacebuilding, and more. As well as discussions and workshops, there will be art, poetry, and space to prioritise wellbeing and reflection.
For Diana Ishaqat, Advisory Group member and Peace Starts Here campaign co-creator from Jordan, Peace Connect is vital amid the current funding crisis: “It can be isolating to believe in peace. In my context, peace is a word associated with giving up on rights, with painful compromise, loss of indigenous rights, and Western interference. It’s important that peace is made local, localised, and that it speaks to local peacebuilders; those who are often the first to point out the signs of brewing conflicts and their many manifestations in everyday life.”
