Nearly 40 percent of peace agreements since 1975 have failed within five years, leading to renewed conflict or setbacks. This issue is currently visible in regions such as Sudan, Israel and Palestine, and Ukraine, where negotiations have faltered. Policymakers worldwide are challenged with persuading combatants to negotiate and crafting lasting peace agreements.
The Pearson Global Forum recently convened at the David Rubenstein Forum to address these challenges. Since its inception in 2018, the forum has aimed to connect research and policymaking on conflict resolution. This year's event focused on negotiation and agreement in peace processes.
“The work of the Pearson Institute and this Global Forum really go to the heart of trying to understand how we achieve peace, resolve conflict and address great suffering in the world in the most rigorous way,” said Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean at the Harris School of Public Policy. He highlighted the importance of gathering experts from various fields to tackle complex questions about achieving peace.
Speakers discussed lessons from successful agreements like Colombia's 2016 accord with FARC after decades of failed attempts, and Northern Ireland's 1998 peace process led by women negotiators. They also examined obstacles faced in conflicts like Sudan’s civil war and Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. A Pearson/NORC poll indicated that many Americans view Hamas, Israel, Iran, and partly the United States as responsible for continuing violence in Gaza.
Former Haitian Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis emphasized security as essential for peace in Haiti amid ongoing violence fueled by weapons imports. Nobel laureate James A. Robinson stressed the significance of institutions serving societal interests over personal gains.
Harris student Mario Venegas Wignall shared insights from his experience with Fambul Tok in Sierra Leone, highlighting localized reconciliation efforts as crucial for progress. “Several of the Forum’s speakers emphasized that peace can only be built based on the reality and context of each place,” he noted.
The event underscored a need for tailored approaches to conflict resolution based on local realities.
Learn more about the forum at the Pearson Institute’s YouTube page.
—Adapted from a story first published on the Harris School of Public Policy website