Berghof Foundation: 50 years of conflict transformation
This book provides an overview of the Berghof Foundation’s work and impact over the past 50 years and sheds light on the challenges ahead of peacebuilding.
This book provides an overview of the Berghof Foundation’s work and impact over the past 50 years and sheds light on the challenges ahead of peacebuilding.
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Outlook<br />
How to include protest<br />
movements in peace and<br />
transition processes?<br />
Over the next three <strong>years</strong>, <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong> will use its<br />
experience in participatory research, capacitybuilding<br />
and dialogue facilitation to analyse<br />
and engage with protest movements as key<br />
drivers <strong>of</strong> <strong>conflict</strong> <strong>transformation</strong>. We will also<br />
foster multi-level communication channels with<br />
grassroots civil society that reach well beyond<br />
urban elites and pr<strong>of</strong>essional NGOs. Where we<br />
have ongoing activities and trusted partners,<br />
we will engage with a broad range <strong>of</strong> movements<br />
advancing complementary facets <strong>of</strong> sustainable<br />
peace, including pro-democracy, human rights,<br />
environmental, social justice and anti-corruption<br />
movements. Particular emphasis will be placed<br />
on women and youth at the forefront <strong>of</strong><br />
nonviolent mobilisations.<br />
An example <strong>of</strong> this has already been<br />
implemented in Lebanon, a country rocked by<br />
mass protests and street demonstrations since<br />
October 2019, within the context <strong>of</strong> two ongoing<br />
dialogue processes organised by <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong>: one with<br />
an inclusive group <strong>of</strong> social media influencers, the<br />
other supporting dialogue among female leaders<br />
in emerging political movements as well as in<br />
traditional political parties (in separate dialogue<br />
tracks). Further planning is under way on strategybuilding<br />
with emerging political movements,<br />
to support them in their efforts to develop<br />
constructive visions for the country.<br />
Our aim is to foster a conducive<br />
environment for the effective inclusion <strong>of</strong> protest<br />
movements in national dialogues, peace processes<br />
and political settlements. We aim to build their<br />
capacity to conduct inclusive negotiations, either<br />
internally, with civil society and political allies, or<br />
across the <strong>conflict</strong> divide. This work will contribute<br />
to the broader goal <strong>of</strong> preventing violent <strong>conflict</strong><br />
and building sustainable peace, by providing<br />
grassroots activists with the tools to meaningfully<br />
influence state reforms and public policies.<br />
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