For over a century, the Americas have been a global beacon of relative stability and solidarity. There has been remarkably sparse border change or overt inter-continental conflict, and this can be in many ways attributed to the peace-based initiatives under a working inter-American system. Nonetheless, the Americas cannot boast that it is a peaceful region when it is home to some of the highest rates of violence in the world.

To support ongoing peace and stability in the Americas, key actors require the capacity to resolve differences without descending into violence. There is a need to enhance preventative peacebuilding in the region, and avoid the devastating costs inflicted on societies by violent conflict. Women in particular are vastly under-represented in peace processes and when they do participate their role is limited, despite the fact that their meaningful participation in such processes improves the prospects of peace agreements. Moreover, women’s participation is crucial to facilitate a gender perspective. A gendered approach to peacebuilding ensures that often overlooked issues affecting women and girls are addressed in key processes.

Launch Event and Discussion 18 October 2022 9:00am EST (Zoom)

The Event 

Following the completion of the 2022 Café Diplomatico workshop, the partners jointly produced A Guide to Strengthen the Role of Women in Peacebuilding: Developing Practical Negotiation Skills and Mediation Networks in the Americas. This publication offers a comprehensive analysis on women’s contributions to peacebuilding efforts both in the Americas and internationally, as well detailing existing action plans and frameworks. It details the Café Diplomatico approach to negotiation and mediation skills development, includes expert contributions on select case examples, and provides recommendations concerning the importance of developing and sustaining women mediators’ networks.

To mark the occasion of the publication of the guide and to draw attention to the unique realities, contributions, and challenges of peacebuilding efforts in the Americas, on 18 October 2022 the Forum, OAS DPP and CARC will convene a panel of experts to discuss these topics, as well as to reflect on the conclusions and recommendations suggested by the guide. In addition, this event will invite high-level speakers to discuss the future role of the Café Diplomatico method of interactive negotiation and mediation training. These discussions will centre on possible themes for future iterations of the training as well as the importance of developing new strategies to expand and tailor the workshop to include government officials, civil society workers, NGOs, activists, academics, and other practitioners both at national and subnational levels throughout the Americas.

Click here to register today!