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By Anastasiia Kapranova

I work with the Ukrainian Institute, a cultural diplomatic institution under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Last year, the Institute launched its first governmental program focused on cultural diplomacy in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. I personally cover Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.

Why am I sharing this? It illustrates how Ukraine, since the onset of the full-scale invasion, has broadened its dialogue abroad, engaging with a variety of partners and nations through cultural and diplomatic means. Ukraine has found its subjectivity and the government is open to empowering young leaders, like myself, to lead such programs and represent Ukrainian society. This approach seeks to find common ground with other nations through diverse cultural diplomatic means.

However, the war, especially the full-scale invasion, has profoundly impacted Ukrainian youth. Recent reports indicate that approximately 82% of Ukrainian young people have experienced losses due to the war. This means nearly every young Ukrainian has lost loved ones or family members. Yet, there is a remarkable aspect to this tragedy. The participation of youth in civic engagement has significantly increased, with almost every second young person involved in volunteering activities. There is almost no distinction between civil society actors and young people in Ukraine today.

As my colleague from a previous panel mentioned, young Ukrainians face unprecedented levels of responsibility by the age of 25. They must take up arms to fulfill their duty to the state and protect the country. This heavy burden underscores the importance of how Ukrainian youth perceive the peacemaking process.

Several initiatives highlight Ukraine’s commitment to peace. We are all aware of President Zelensky’s Peace Formula, which was presented at the the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland recently, involving leaders from 92 countries and 8 global organizations. Ukraine remains open to negotiations and is prepared to offer a platform for discussions with Russia. However, we must first secure international support to ensure that Russia respects international law.

In addition to the President’s peace formula, Ukrainian civil society has developed a document called the Sustainable Peace Manifesto. I encourage everyone to read it. This manifesto, designed by civil society representatives, intellectuals, and historians, outlines how to achieve sustainable, long-lasting peace, not only in Ukraine but also in the region. It emphasizes that peace cannot come at the expense of justice, and justice cannot come at the expense of peace. For international security, these principles must be respected.

It is notable that the youth of Ukraine and our politicians share a common vision for peace. There is no significant internal debate on this issue; instead, Ukrainians seek international support. As the primary sufferers in this war, we must set the conditions for the peacemaking process. Ukrainians desire peace more than anyone else. Having endured the Minsk agreements, Crimea’s annexation, and the occupation of Donbas, we have

experienced over 200 rounds of negotiations and 20 ceasefire agreements, leading us to our current situation. Therefore, sustainable and secure peace in the long term is crucial for us.

I am from Kyiv and have already participated in two revolutions in Ukraine—the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. The first revolution occurred when I was a child, brought by my young parents who believed in a better future. Ten years later, I actively participated in the Revolution of Dignity, driven by a strong sense of European values and a desire for change. This revolution, sparked by social media and civil society, demonstrated the power of online movements transitioning to the streets.

When the students were beaten during the protests, the sense of injustice united generations. My parents, initially disillusioned, joined the protests the next day, alongside millions of others in Kyiv. This collective action reclaimed our democracy, leading to significant reforms and establishing Ukraine’s civil society as a leader in social and political transformation.

We need your trust, space for our voices, time, and investments—investments in time, money, and people. Conflicts like ours, especially against Russian imperial ambitions, cannot be solved with simplistic approaches. We hope for a transformation within Russia, driven by its new generation. We welcome the idea of sitting together with them to negotiate peace, but this transformation must occur first.

Ukraine’s journey towards peace is deeply intertwined with the resilience and active participation of its youth. Through cultural diplomacy and civic engagement, young Ukrainians are shaping a future where peace and justice coexist. This transformation requires international support, trust, and investment in the next generation, both in Ukraine and beyond.

Anastasiia Kapranova is Programme Manager for Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ukrainian Institute

In light of this years’ International Women’s Day, we would like to announce the publication of our new Gender and Peacemaking Strategy 2.0. Of course, gender does not equal women. However, given the historic exclusion of women in peace efforts and conflict resolution, this Strategy makes part of our commitment for inclusive and lasting peace

The EIP updates its Gender and Peacemaking Strategy in its continuous efforts to integrate the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda across its work. This will contribute to achieving our vision of a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements. 

The strategy sets out ways in which the Institute will advance a whole-of-organisation approach to including gender perspectives and women’s meaningful participation in conflict resolution. By using the Women, Peace and Security Agenda as a framework for a localised and rights-based approach to conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding we can contribute to international efforts to prevent conflict and create a more sustainable peace. 

This policy paper suggests a way forward to overcome the impasse in the Kosovo-Serbia normalization dialogue, and to enable conditions for a sustained process and successful implementation. It argues that the oscillating international attention and the resulting inability to closely monitor developments and conduct remedial steps at the first sign of non-compliance is an essential part of the problem. Therefore, the non-paper proposes a structural solution to reset the process and be able to identify, monitor, and address non-compliance early on, thus preventing derails and escalations. This will require significantly strengthened international monitoring and compliance mechanisms, centered on the EU and empowered by the entire Euro-Atlantic bloc. 

Thank you, Dr Mazen, and thank you, Asyad,

Dear guests, dear colleagues and partners, here in Geneva or joining us online,

This year marked the eleventh anniversary of the popular uprising in Syria and the subsequent outbreak of a brutal civil war, which cost the lives of over half a million people and led to the displacement of over 13 million Syrians. They account for more than half of the country’s pre-war population. They are an integral part of the future of the country and the region.

Despite the dire economic, humanitarian, and security conditions in Syria and notwithstanding the support for refugees, refugees are under increasing pressure from host countries to return to their countries of origin. Circumstances in Syria and numerous testimonies, however, clearly indicate that there is no prospect for a safe and dignified return at the moment.

The need for a political settlement in Syria is more urgent than ever, and yet the negotiations process is at a stalemate. In the words of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, “work is needed to establish a safe, calm, neutral environment inside Syria, starting with confidence-building measures, as Resolution 2254 mandates.”

Progress towards a safe, calm, neutral environment is the only way forward. Large scale premature and forced returns will lead to catastrophe if there is no agreement and guarantees on the rights of Syrians. Over these two days, Syrian experts, civil society and victim representatives are presenting a concrete vision on what that would entail. It is more than has been asked and delivered in other conflicts and is a testament to their commitment to the future of their nation.

It is not for the victims of a conflict like the Syrian one to also implement such a roadmap at the diplomatic and policy levels, but they need to be a central part of conversations about their future. It falls on the negotiating parties and those of us, who support sustainable conflict resolution, to help facilitate their access so they can champion their vision.

We are here with the Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) with whom we have collaborated for the last four years. I want to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for making this work possible. Since its inception, the SACD has become an effective platform addressing issues that affect the conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified return for refugees and IDPs. It has become a leading voice on behalf of displaced Syrians.

It is through speaking with their movement and organisations like the Free Syrian Lawyers Association that we know that conditions for voluntary and dignified return require more than technical or humanitarian and early recovery efforts. They are about a more comprehensive understanding of safety and security, and the political process to achieve them.

Over the next two days, we will be joined by leading experts to understand the key elements of a safe environment in Syria, why it is so fundamentally important, and the milestones along the way.

We will now hear an address from “Caesar”, the former photographer in Syrian security services who smuggled out evidence of 11,000 Syrians killed in Syria’s prisons.

The European Institute of Peace (EIP) is looking for exceptional individuals who share our vision for a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements.

We provide practical experience, technical expertise and policy advice on conflict resolution. We use a variety of tools to help us do this, including analysis, mapping and design of peace processes and agreements, facilitating policy discussions, and proposing practical engagement, for example through inclusive dialogue and mediation support.

Based in Brussels and active in 15 countries, the European Institute of Peace is an independent organisation working collaboratively with European decision makers, the parties to conflict, and those who represent people suffering from insecurity or at risk of violence, as well as the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community.

Our innovative approach to peace enables us to be agile, creative and effective in everything we do, and these are key qualities we look for in our team members. See www.eip.org for more information.

We are looking for a Development Intern to support the European Institute of Peace to provide general support to the Senior Management Team and to the Senior Fundraising Advisor, working towards setting and achieving fundraising targets.

Terms of Reference

The European Institute of Peace is developing new funding opportunities to diversify and increase funding sources in support to its mission.

This internship is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience of the Institute’s work and of its fundraising streams. It will be of particular interest to someone wanting to gain knowledge of and experience supporting fundraising, particularly with respect to the private sector.

As an intern, you will provide general support to the Senior Management Team and to the Senior Fundraising Advisor, working towards setting and achieving fundraising targets.

Duties and responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in the research of new funding opportunities, with particular focus on trusts and foundations;
• Ensure timely follow-up with key contacts identified by the Institute;
• Support the development of funding proposals;
• Provide support in developing and maintaining a data gathering system;
• Keep donor records up to date;
• Support at events as required.

Profile

University degree

Excellent command of English is essential. Any other EU language is also an asset;
Keen interest in fundraising;
Excellent organizational skills;
Accuracy and attention to detail;
Proactive, creative and enthusiastic;
Ability to carry out administrative duties effectively;
Desire to learn, develop and advance personal career prospects;
A flexible attitude towards work with a willingness to learn new skills and to assist the wider team to get things done;
Excellent written skills with the ability to tailor templates, thank you letters, updates and applications;
Strong IT skills, in particular Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint).

EIP offers

• 6 months internship contract with a possibility of extension at €1,000 per month
• Lunch vouchers
• Contribution to public transportation to and from the office
• 40h/week (with 6 RTT days – one day earned per month), and
• An exciting, international environment

The successful candidate must have the ability to work in Belgium (Belgian or EU citizen or currently in possession of a Belgian work permit) and will need to reside in or relocate to Belgium when the employment contract starts.

Start date: End of September 2022

Recruitment process

Please submit in English:

• your CV (Name_Surname_CV DevelopmentInternship);
• your motivation letter (Name_Surname_LM_ DevelopmentInternship)

Submit to: recruitment@cg9lzbbryk.preview.infomaniak.website

The deadline is 28^th August 2022, midnight. If selected, we will contact you for an interview which includes a written test.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The written test will be held on 01/09/2022, and the interviews on 08/09/2022.

This session explores the conflict in Yemen with a particular focus on its environmental dimensions. It puts emphasis on why it is important and indeed possible to consult in more depth about the needs, rights and perspectives of Yemenis to chart paths towards peace and reconciliation. The session is for those who seek a deeper understanding of the environmental aspects of Yemen’s conflict and ways to engage with the population more widely

The European Institute of Peace is looking for exceptional individuals and companies who share our vision for a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements.

We provide practical experience, technical expertise, and policy advice on conflict resolution. We use a variety of tools to help us do this, including analysis, mapping and design of peace processes and agreements, facilitating policy discussions, and proposing practical engagement, for example through inclusive dialogue and mediation support.

Based in Brussels and active in over a dozen countries, the European Institute of Peace is an independent organisation working collaboratively with European decision-makers, the parties to the conflict, and those who represent people suffering from insecurity or at risk of violence, as well as the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community.

Our innovative approach to peace enables us to be agile, creative, and effective in everything we do, and these are key qualities we look for in our team members. See www.eip.org for more information

We are looking for a consultant/company to develop a Research Study: War-affected populations in Eastern DRC to support the Engagement, Dialogue and Process Design unit (EDP).

Terms of References

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a qualitative study/report on war-affected populations in Eastern DRC based on semi-structured interviews with key respondents.

Background

The research aims to shed further light on the needs, aspirations and diversity of certain neglected war-affected populations in Eastern DRC with which EIP is working. Further details regarding the targeted populations will be provided upon awarding of the contract. The research is intended to feed into a study report that the consultant will be expected to draft, which should be accessible to both an international and domestic audience. The research will require fieldwork in North Kivu and South Kivu and, potentially, remote interviews with representatives of the diaspora.

Duties and responsibilities

The selected consultant/company will be required to fulfil the following actions:

• Carry out a detailed desk review of relevant literature related to war-affected populations in Eastern Congo and develop a bibliography and summary of relevant findings;
• With the assistance of EIP, establish contacts with relevant individuals and organisations to facilitate the implementation of the study;
• Develop a first draft of the questionnaire for review by EIP;
• Develop a first draft of a detailed sampling strategy for review by EIP;
• Develop an implementation plan specifying, at a minimum, planned deployments, locations, team composition and indicative dates;
• Carry out at least 3 test interviews with identified individuals to fine tune the questionnaire;
• Carry out detailed semi-structured interviews with at least 25 individuals in accordance with the agreed-upon sampling strategy;
• Record full detailed transcripts of all interviews to be shared with EIP;
• Draft a report (or sections of a report) detailing findings in either English or French.

Qualifications and Requirements

The successful consultant/company should be able to demonstrate:

• At least five years experience of conducting qualitative research in North and South Kivu
• At least five years experience of conducting qualitative research with vulnerable populations
• Prior experience of partnering with international NGOs located outside of DRC
• Knowledge of Congolese law, demonstrated by a legal qualification.

The Institute offers

Service contract from 23/11/2021 to 31/12/2021.

Submission of proposals and criteria for evaluation

Interested and qualified consultants should submit a technical and financial proposal including the total cost for the study. The technical proposal should include:

• CVs of all researchers and their proposed role in the study
• List of previous relevant research conducted by the consultant/company including links and/or copies
• Contact details of three references
• A proposed work plan

Submit to: recruitment@cg9lzbbryk.preview.infomaniak.website

The deadline is 22/09/2021, COB. The successful candidate will be selected based on the most competitive offer, including technical and financial proposal.

Amal Ahmed Ismail joined the European Institute of Peace as a Human Rights Officer in April 2020.  She has worked as a Research Assistant and Workshop Organiser at Ameha Mekonnen and Associates Law Office (AMALO) from 2016-2019. She is a member of the Ethiopian Human Rights Counsel (EHRCO), one of the prominent human rights NGOs in Ethiopia; and has volunteered various times supporting the women, children and disability rights policy of EHRCO. She is also a member of Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and the Network for Digital Rights Ethiopia (NDRE) and worked as a Workshop Organiser in both organizations. 

As a feminist human rights defender, she is a member of East African Women Human Rights Defenders, and the Coalition of Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders. She is also a member of the advisory board for the knowledge-based dialogue for national consensus organised by International IDEA, IRM and IGA with the support of EU as of 2019.  

She served as a Public Prosecutor from 2010-2013 at the Federal Ministry of Justice and half of this time was spent on the women and children department. While serving as a Public Prosecutor she has brought various challenging cases to justice and resolved the problems according to the law of the country. 

Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Amal is finalizing her master’s degree thesis in human rights at the AAU Human Rights Center. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in law at Unity University. She studied her high school and elementary education at Nazareth School, Addis Ababa.