Our mission is to help prevent, mitigate and resolve armed conflict through dialogue and mediation.

As we mark our 25th year, HD is engaged in most of the world’s conflicts with projects in Africa, the Middle East, Eurasia and Asia. 

Overall, HD aims to deepen our global reach and strengthen our identity as a trusted, impartial and independent mediation actor.

We work across international, inter-state and local levels, helping conflict parties to build a common vision of a better future.

We aim for comprehensive and inclusive peace agreements that reduce the human suffering caused by war and create the conditions for stability and development.

Since 1999, HD has been achieving peace around the world – including the Aceh separatist conflict in Indonesia, the ETA insurgency in Spain, long-running violence in the southern Philippines and a decade of turmoil in Libya.

Using our reach and networks, HD also supports humanitarian efforts in high-risk areas. 

HD’s Global Strategy 2024-2027 reflects how we are adapting to rapid shifts in a turbulent world – from complex multidimensional conflicts and risks of inter-state war to evolving threats from climate change, social media and artificial intelligence.   

Building on our founding principles, 25 years of results, constant learning and exciting new approaches, HD’s strategy has three main goals:

  • Goal 1: Deliver valuable peacemaking results
  • Goal 2: Strengthen mediation practice and policy
  • Goal 3: Ensure HD’s organisational resilience

The HD Way: Our approach to effective mediation sets out the values, mission and methods that are vital to our work.

Click here for more details on how HD pursues peace and our innovative Monitoring and Evaluation system.

An international body with headquarters in Switzerland, HD is a non-profit organisation funded by donors and supervised by an independent board.

HD Charter

HD Statutes

Swiss HD Accord

We were deeply honoured to receive the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize for 2022 in recognition of HD’s track record of conflict mediation and contributions to peace.

Photo: General César Atoute Badiate of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance signs an agreement with Senegal’s government on a roadmap for disarmament after talks supported by HD and the government of Guinea Bissau. © Guinea Bissau Presidential Office