Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

National Dialogues in Peacebuilding and Transitions

Lessons Learned from Six National Dialogues in Africa and the Middle East

Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Time: 9:00am - 11:00am EDT

Center: Africa Center

Share This
Print the Page

At their best, national dialogues can open the door to resolving long-standing drivers of conflict and make political transitions more inclusive. However, many national dialogues fail to live up to this potential — often stifled by political complexities or other challenges along the way. The impact of a national dialogue is also not easy to assess immediately after its conclusion, as implementation of a dialogue’s resolutions is a complex and time-consuming endeavor.

On June 24, USIP and Peace Appeal hosted two panel discussions with the authors of the Institute’s recent report, “National Dialogues in Peacebuilding and Transitions: Creativity and Adaptive Thinking.” The conversations will assess the impacts of six national dialogues in Africa and the Middle East several years after the conclusion of these processes. 

The first panel focused on Lebanon, Senegal and Tunisia and examined inclusivity and representation in national dialogues in these countries. The second panel discussed national dialogues in Central African Republic, Kenya and Yemen and reflected on international involvement in these processes. Both panels drew lessons for practitioners and policymakers who are contemplating future national dialogues. 

Continue the conversation on Twitter with #NationalDialogues.

Speakers

Elizabeth Murray, moderator
Senior Program Officer, Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace 

Elie Abouaoun
Director, Middle East and North Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Penda Ba 
Associate Professor, Gaston Berger University

Derek Brown 
Co-Executive Director, Peace Appeal Foundation

Daniel Brumberg 
Professor and Director, Democracy and Governance Studies, Georgetown University 

Erica Gaston
Fellow, Global Public Policy Institute 

Jimmy Ochieng
Consultant, HD Centre

Rachel Sullivan 
Program Specialist, Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace

Susan Stigant, moderator
Director, Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Publications

Why Now? The Tortured History of Iran’s Hostage Seizures

Why Now? The Tortured History of Iran’s Hostage Seizures

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

By: Robin Wright

In January 1981, I stood at the foot of the Air Algerie flight that flew 52 American diplomats to freedom after 444 days as hostages in Iran. Some of them were my friends. I still remember their gaunt appearances after being caged and cut off from the world for so long as they quietly disembarked. That original hostage crisis was a turning point in U.S. history in the 20th century — and has shaped angry American views of the Islamic republic ever since.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

70 Years After the Armistice, the Korean Peninsula Still Struggles for Peace

70 Years After the Armistice, the Korean Peninsula Still Struggles for Peace

Monday, September 11, 2023

By: Bong-geun Jun

On July 27, 1953, military commanders from the United States, North Korea and China signed an armistice agreement that ended the hostilities of the Korean War. The parties agreed to a “complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.” They also recommended holding a “political conference” within three months for “the peaceful settlement of the Korean question.” After 70 years of truce, however, peace on the Korean Peninsula is still elusive.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

Il y a une voie à suivre en Haïti - mais ce n'est pas celle que nous suivons

Il y a une voie à suivre en Haïti - mais ce n'est pas celle que nous suivons

Thursday, June 29, 2023

By: Keith Mines

Il existe peu de crises internationales où la tension entre l'aide internationale et les solutions locales est plus conflictuelle qu'en Haïti. L'incapacité à trouver un juste équilibre explique en grande partie l'incapacité à résoudre la crise au cours des deux longues années qui ont suivi l'assassinat du président haïtien. Le pays a une longue liste de besoins, y compris sur des questions urgentes et immédiates telles que la sécurité alimentaire, les soins de santé, la violence endémique des gangs et l'éducation. En fin de compte, Haïti a besoin d'une élection crédible et transparente pour réinitialiser son système politique.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & Governance;  Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

There is a Path Forward in Haiti — But It’s Not the One We Are On

There is a Path Forward in Haiti — But It’s Not the One We Are On

Thursday, June 29, 2023

By: Keith Mines

There are few international crises where the tension between international assistance and locally led solutions is in greater conflict than Haiti. Failure to get that balance right goes a long way toward explaining the failure to solve the crisis for the two long years since the assassination of Haiti’s president. The country has a long list of needs, including on pressing, immediate issues like food security, health care, rampant gang violence and education. Ultimately, Haiti needs a credible and transparent election to reset its political system. But the functioning transitional government it requires is something that can best be achieved through an assertive political process that blends outside assistance with independent local actors, bringing together all key stakeholders under international facilitation.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & Governance;  Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

View All Publications