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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

{:en}Mediation and dialogue are the most effective, and cheapest, tools for preventing and resolving armed conflicts. They are the core business of HD, a globally connected private diplomacy organisation that operates discreetly to help conflict parties settle their differences.{:}{:fr}La médiation et le dialogue constituent les outils les plus efficaces et les moins coûteux pour prévenir et résoudre les conflits armés. Ils sont au cœur de l’action de HD, organisation de diplomatie privée qui, grâce à des réseaux de contacts dans le monde entier, œuvre en toute discrétion pour aider les belligérants à régler leurs différends.{:}

Mediation Expertise

{:en}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.{:}{:fr}Appuyer efficacement le travail des médiateurs permet d’augmenter les chances de prévenir, atténuer et résoudre les conflits, mais aussi de maintenir la paix une fois qu’un accord a été signé. HD soutient les acteurs de la médiation en leur donnant accès à une expertise de pointe ainsi qu’aux expériences les plus récentes en matière de résolution des conflits.{:}

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

{:en}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.{:}{:fr}Dans le cadre de ses activités de médiation, lorsque le dialogue politique se révèle difficile, voire impossible, HD entreprend des initiatives à vocation humanitaire. La médiation humanitaire permet aux belligérants d’aborder des problèmes majeurs tels que la protection des populations civiles et leur accès à l’assistance humanitaire, les besoins particuliers des femmes et des enfants, la question des personnes déplacées et celle des minorités affectées par le conflit.{:}

Where we work

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.

The Gambia
© 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
Tunisia
Philippines, Mindanao
Syria
Central African Republic
Libya

Who we are

HD is a Swiss-based private diplomacy organisation

founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality and independence.

About

{:en}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.{:}{:fr}Le Centre pour le dialogue humanitaire (HD) est une organisation de diplomatie privée basée en Suisse et fondée sur les principes d’humanité, d’impartialité et d’indépendance. Sa mission est d’aider à prévenir, atténuer et résoudre les conflits armés par le biais du dialogue et de la médiation.{:}

Foundation Board

{:en}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. {:}{:fr}HD est une fondation suisse à but non lucratif dont les activités sont supervisées par un Conseil de fondation qui définit la mission et la politique générale de l’organisation. Le Conseil supervise également le développement ainsi que l’administration et la mise en œuvre du programme d’activités de l’organisation, tel que conduits par les membres dirigeants et leur équipe.{:}

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}Composée d’un petit groupe de six personnes en 1999, l’équipe de HD compte aujourd’hui plus de 140 collaborateurs issus de 40 nationalités différentes, qui travaillent sous la supervision de 10 cadres dirigeants. L’organisation regroupe des individus animés par le sens de leur mission, qui recherchent des méthodes créatives pour “faire avancer les choses” et tiennent à contribuer aux efforts de paix et de médiation. {:}

Latest updates

Historic National Conference Process begins in Libya

(Arabic Version of this Press Release available below)  The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) welcomes the launch today of an extensive series of public consultations with Libyans from all segments of society which will take place across the country in the coming months in the framework of the Libyan National Conference Process (NCP).

The NCP, which forms an integral part of the United Nations’ (UN) action plan for Libya, seeks to give a say to all Libyans in shaping the response to the ongoing crisis, including those who have not been able to participate in the political process until now. It represents a unique opportunity for all Libyans to contribute to fostering stability, advancing national reconciliation and shaping the future of their country.

The NCP does not seek to replace the other pillars of the UN action plan (the electoral, constitutional and Libyan Political Agreement amendment process), but to reinforce them and ensure that the approach taken is in line with the will of the Libyan people. The outcomes of the consultative process will form the foundation of the National Conference. The NCP also seeks to complement the ongoing outreach efforts led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Ghassan Salamé, and the UN Support Mission in Libya.

“The launch of the NCP represents new dynamism in the search for a solution to the crisis in Libya.” said David Harland, HD’s Executive Director. “This is an opportunity for all Libyans to propose solutions and reflect on the future they want for their children.”

The two first NCP public consultations took place today in Benghazi and Zwara. These sessions will be followed by additional public consultations in other locations throughout the country and abroad in the coming months.

Mr Ghassan Salamé conveyed his congratulations to the Libyan citizens who participated in today’s public consultations, as well as his gratitude towards HD for supporting the NCP.

HD would like to thank Libyan authorities for their co-operation and calls on all Libyans to actively participate in the NCP either physically or electronically.

***END***

Arabic version of this Press Release available here.

For further information, please contact pr@multaqawatani.ly or visit the NCP website for content in Arabic: www.multaqawatani.ly.

You can also follow the NCP on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Multaqa.Libya/ – and Twitter: https://twitter.com/MultaqaLibya.

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