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What we do

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue’s (HD) mission is

to prevent, mitigate and resolve armed conflicts,

through dialogue and mediation.

Mediation and dialogue

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Mediation Expertise

Providing effective support to mediators can increase the chances of successfully preventing, mitigating and resolving conflicts and of sustaining peace after an agreement is signed. HD offers this support by giving mediators access to the latest conflict resolution expertise and experience.

Oslo Forum

The Oslo Forum is the leading international network of conflict mediation practitioners. Co-hosted by the Norwegian Government and HD, the Oslo Forum convenes conflict mediators, peacemakers, high-level decision-makers and key peace process actors in a series of informal and discreet retreats.

Humanitarian Mediation

As part of its conflict mediation and dialogue activities, and where political dialogue may be difficult or impossible, HD undertakes mediation on a humanitarian basis. Humanitarian mediation enables the parties in conflict to address key issues, such as safe access and protection of civilians, the special needs of women and children, displaced populations and any affected minority groups.

Where we work

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For almost two decades, HD has supported peaceful settlements around the world. The organisation is currently involved in more than 40 dialogue and mediation initiatives in over 25 countries.

© Reuters/Erik De Castro
South China Sea
Signing ceremony of the Southern Plateau Peace Declaration, Nigeria, December 2016, between 56 ethnic communities following an Inter-communal dialogue process led by HD.
Nigeria
Protesters from Tunisia's poor rural heartlands chant slogans during a demonstration by the Prime Minister's office in Tunis. © Reuters / Zohra Bensemra
Tunisia
Close up photo of MILF fighter. © Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
Philippines, Mindanao
Men search for survivors at a site hit by heavy shelling in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus. © Reuters/Bassam Khabieh
Syria
Former Seleka soldiers prepare to drive to a village, where residents say was attacked and a mosque burnt the night before by anti-Balaka militiamen - © Reuters / Siegfried Modola
Central African Republic
A man holds a sign during a protest in Benghazi, Libya, October 2015. © Reuters/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Libya
A soldier from the Tuareg rebel group MNLA. © Reuters/Cheick Diouara
Mali

Who we are

HD is a Swiss-based private diplomacy organisation

founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality and independence.

About

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) is a Swiss-based private diplomacy organisation founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality and independence. Our mission is to help prevent, mitigate, and resolve armed conflict through dialogue and mediation.

Foundation Board

As a Swiss non profit Foundation, HD is supervised by a Board, which serves on a voluntary basis. It sets the mission and the general policy of the Foundation and provides overall supervision of the development and implementation of the organisation’s programme and administration, as managed by the Senior Management Team and staff.

Staff

{:en}HD’s team has grown from a small group of 6 people in 1999 to more than 140 from over 40 different nationalities today, supervised by a 10 member Senior Management Team. The organisation is made up of individuals driven by meaningful objectives who find creative approaches to “getting things done” and are dedicated to making a difference in peace and mediation efforts. {:}{:fr}Mi, FRENCH, culla anisquos resti ut liquia verit vel inciur saessum auta sed qui alique molorem. Aximi, que videbit aut pro duntiossin nam quia sum est atibus incimus aut exeratur mos dolore velenis ma que et autem reicidunt, con ressimus, odigniet vendend ebitatur, quo et peria delit maiorate modit.{:}

Latest updates

HD convenes forum to discuss the role and rights of persons with disabilities in the Philippines Peace Process

A one-day forum on the role and involvement of persons with disabilities in the Philippine Peace Process took place on 6 September 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

The event brought together representatives from various national associations and government bodies representing disabled people in the country – including the Philippine Disability Affairs Office and the National Council on Disability Affairs – along with senior representatives from the Moro liberation fronts and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

The forum, organised by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) with the support of the Government of Australia, sought to look at how people with disabilities are involved in the peace process, as well as how their rights may be taken into account as part of the process.

Participants at the event discussed a variety of issues including the challenges people with disabilities face in conflict-affected areas, how they been involved in the peace process so far, and how the future Bangsamoro autonomous government may address and take into account their rights and special needs.

In his presentation, Hon. Mohagher Iqbal, MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair, said that “addressing disability is a powerful and successful unifying theme for peacebuilding initiatives across conflict divides.” Iqbal commended HD’s unique effort, saying that he has not been to any workshop of this kind. “It attests to the fact that even in the inner circles of peacebuilding, this is not yet very popular,” he said.

Other senior representatives attending the event included Undersecretary Nabil Tan, Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; Alipikre Basher, Member of the MNLF Peace Implementing Panel; Carmen Reyes, Executive Director of the National Council On Disability Affairs; and Carolyn Dagani, President of the Philippine Federation for the Deaf.

“Ensuring the involvement of all members of society in the peace process is key to its success and sustainability”, said Alex Douglas, HD Acting Country Representative in the Philippines. “Through this Forum, we sought to ensure people with disabilities are given a voice to express their special needs and an opportunity to support the peace process. We commend the Moro liberation fronts and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process for supporting this effort.” He added.

HD hopes to develop this initiative into a programme which will inspire a development in the implementation of policies for people with disabilities in the future Bangsamoro.

HD has been assisting efforts to promote greater inclusivity in the Mindanao peace process since 2005.

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For more information on the conference, please write to pr@hdcentre.org.

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