Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue is a Swiss nonprofit organisation that uses discreet diplomacy and mediation to prevent and resolve armed conflicts.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, commonly known as the HD Centre or HD and also associated with the name Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, is an independent Swiss nonprofit organisation dedicated to preventing and resolving armed conflict. Established in 1999, it was inspired by the humanitarian principles associated with Henry Dunant, the Swiss co-founder of the Red Cross and a recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. The organisation initially sought to provide a discreet setting for dialogue on humanitarian questions, but its work soon expanded into direct mediation and broader peacemaking at the request of conflict parties. HD's core method is discreet, independent and impartial engagement with people and institutions capable of influencing conflict dynamics. These interlocutors may include governments, political movements, armed groups, community representatives, civil society organisations, regional bodies and international agencies. The organisation operates across multiple levels, combining formal negotiations among senior political actors with local dialogue, community-level mediation and support for marginalised groups seeking a meaningful role in peace processes. It also works with the United Nations, governments and regional organisations to strengthen or complement official mediation efforts. The centre's activities span Africa, the Middle East, Eurasia, Asia and Latin America. Its work has included negotiations over humanitarian access, ceasefires, political settlements, natural-resource disputes, local security arrangements and transitions away from armed conflict. Examples include its early role in supporting the peace process in Aceh, Indonesia; long-term discreet engagement connected with the end of the Basque conflict in Spain; support for peace efforts in the southern Philippines; mediation linked to Libya's 2020 ceasefire; and dialogue on conflict, land and water in the Sahel and Nigeria. In Colombia, HD has supported efforts to reduce violence involving organised criminal and armed groups, including a 2025 cessation-of-hostilities process in Quibdó. HD also addresses issues that increasingly shape modern conflicts. Its thematic work includes climate and environmental pressures, gender-responsive and inclusive peacebuilding, organised crime and ceasefires. A Digital Conflict directorate examines the effects of artificial intelligence, cyberattacks, information operations and social-media dynamics on conflict and peace processes. The organisation's Mediation Support team conducts research and produces practical guidance intended to improve the quality of mediation both within HD and across the wider international field. Knowledge exchange is another part of the organisation's role. Since 2003, HD has co-hosted the Oslo Forum with Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The forum brings together mediators and peacemakers in private retreat-style discussions about negotiation practice, emerging methods and difficult current conflicts. HD is overseen by an independent board, reports to donors and undergoes annual financial audits. In 2015, Switzerland granted it a special status conferring privileges and immunities intended to support its international peacemaking work. The organisation received the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize for 2022 in recognition of its record of bringing conflict parties together and helping end violence.
History
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue was established in 1999 around a humanitarian vision derived from Henry Dunant, whose legacy links humanitarian action with the reduction of suffering in war. Its original purpose was to create a discreet and trusted venue where parties could discuss humanitarian concerns away from the publicity and political constraints of formal negotiations. The organisation's independence, impartiality and commitment to humanity became the principles underpinning its work. The centre quickly moved beyond strictly humanitarian discussions. In Indonesia's Aceh province, conflict parties asked HD to help address the political conflict itself, leading to a substantial mediation effort between the Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement, commonly known by its Indonesian acronym GAM. That process contributed to the final peace agreement reached in 2005 and established HD's reputation as an organisation capable of combining humanitarian access, political dialogue and conflict-resolution work. Over subsequent years, HD developed a global portfolio of confidential mediation initiatives. It worked in settings including the Philippines, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and South Asia. In Spain, the organisation engaged discreetly for approximately fifteen years in efforts connected with the Basque conflict. The Basque armed group ETA publicly announced its final declaration at HD's headquarters on 3 May 2018, marking a significant moment in the end of decades of violence. HD's practice broadened into multi-track mediation. Alongside senior-level negotiations, it began supporting community dialogues, local mediators and social groups that are often excluded from formal peace talks. Its work has addressed conflicts involving land, water, political authority, organised crime, ethnic or regional grievances and the management of natural resources. In the Sahel, for example, HD has supported agreements over shared resources and developed mediator networks across several countries. In Nigeria, it has convened dialogue among groups affected by disputes over land, water and political power, including a 2021 social-media peace accord and later arrangements concerning natural-resource sharing. The organisation has also supported major national and international peace processes. In Libya, HD helped broker an immediate ceasefire in August 2020 and encouraged leading Libyan stakeholders to return to political discussions. The process contributed to a formal ceasefire and a UN-supported political arrangement that created an interim government, an elections roadmap and plans for significant representation of women in a future cabinet. In the southern Philippines, HD has supported peace efforts since 2004, including the 2014 peace talks, the ratification of legislation establishing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, community dialogue and mediator training. In maritime disputes, HD has convened dialogue on the South China Sea, including work on avoiding dangerous incidents between coastguards and preventing the collapse of regional fish stocks. These tracks produced operational principles for reducing incidents at sea and scientific agreement on aspects of fisheries management among China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. HD also advised and closely supported the UN- and Türkiye-led process that enabled vital food shipments to move through the Black Sea during the Russia-Ukraine war. The centre's thematic remit has continued to evolve. Climate and environmental pressures, gender-responsive peacebuilding, inclusion, organised crime and ceasefires are treated as factors that can intensify conflict or complicate negotiations. Recognising the effects of digital technologies, HD created a Digital Conflict directorate focused on artificial intelligence, cyberattacks and online information operations. Its Mediation Support team complements field operations with research, analysis, practice guides and reports for the international mediation community. The Oslo Forum, co-hosted with Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2003, provides a recurring setting for mediators and peacemakers to exchange experience and discuss difficult negotiations. Institutionally, HD is supervised by an independent board, provides regular reporting to donors and undergoes annual financial audits. Switzerland granted the organisation a special status in July 2015, including privileges and immunities intended to facilitate its international activities. Martin Griffiths served as founding executive director from 1999 to July 2010, followed briefly by Angelo Gnaedinger from July 2010 to March 2011. David Harland became executive director in April 2011. In 2022, HD received the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize for its contribution to bringing conflict parties together and helping end violence.
- 2025
Quibdó cessation-of-hostilities process
[1]HD supported a permanent cessation of hostilities among armed gangs in Quibdó, Colombia.
- 2023
Obasanjo recognised for Ethiopia mediation
[1]HD's board honoured Olusegun Obasanjo for his mediation efforts in Ethiopia's Tigray region.
- 2022
Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize
[1]HD received the 2022 Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize for its mediation record and work bringing conflict parties together.
- 2022
Senegal-Casamance disarmament roadmap
[1]With HD support, Senegal and southern factions of the MFDC signed a roadmap for disarmament on 4 August 2022.
- 2021
Nigeria social-media peace accord
[1]HD helped secure what it described as a first social-media peace accord between communities involved in conflict in Nigeria.
- 2020
Libya ceasefire support
[1]HD helped broker an immediate ceasefire and encouraged Libyan stakeholders to recommit to political talks.
- 2018
ETA final declaration made public at HD headquarters
[1]The Basque armed group ETA issued its final public declaration at the centre's headquarters after years of discreet HD engagement.
- 2015
Granted special status by Switzerland
[1]The Swiss Federal Council granted HD a status providing privileges and immunities intended to support its international peacemaking work.
- 2014
Expanded support for peace efforts in the southern Philippines
[1]HD supported peace talks and related community and mediator initiatives connected with the Bangsamoro peace process.
- 2005
Aceh peace agreement
[1]HD's early mediation work helped lay the groundwork for a final peace agreement between Indonesia and the GAM separatist movement in Aceh.
Products and positioning
An independent, non-profit and discreet specialist in humanitarian diplomacy, conflict mediation and peacebuilding. HD positions itself as an impartial intermediary able to engage actors who may be difficult for formal institutions to bring into negotiations, while also supporting official UN, governmental and regional peace efforts.
Professional peacebuilding service · 1999
Conflict mediation
HD conducts confidential mediation among governments, political movements, armed groups and other influential actors. Its approach can involve exploratory contacts, shuttle diplomacy, negotiation design, ceasefire work and support for formal political settlements.
Humanitarian service · 1999
Humanitarian diplomacy and access support
The organisation helps negotiate practical arrangements that protect humanitarian operations, including safe passage for aid and health services in high-risk conflict environments.
Research and advisory service
Mediation Support
HD's Mediation Support team produces research, analysis, reports, practice guidance and tools designed to improve mediation work within the organisation and across the wider peacemaking community.
Conflict analysis and policy service
Digital Conflict
The Digital Conflict directorate examines how artificial intelligence, cyber operations, online information campaigns and social-media dynamics affect armed conflict and peace processes, while engaging policymakers, technology platforms and mediators.
Professional forum · 2003
Oslo Forum
Co-hosted with Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Oslo Forum is a retreat-style platform where international mediators and peacemakers exchange experience, examine current negotiations and develop new approaches.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Quibdó violence-reduction dialogue
Colombia
HD supported dialogue with organised criminal and armed groups in Quibdó and received an official mandate to facilitate wider peace discussions involving three cities.
Outcome. Armed gangs agreed to a permanent cessation of hostilities designed with HD support.
- 2022Senegal-MFDC disarmament roadmap
Senegal
HD supported negotiations between the Senegalese government and southern MFDC factions under the auspices of Guinea-Bissau's president.
Outcome. The parties signed a disarmament roadmap on 4 August 2022.
- 2021Nigeria community peace initiatives
Nigeria
HD convened dialogue on land, water and political-power disputes in Middle Belt states and helped communities use social media as a peacebuilding channel.
Outcome. The work produced a social-media peace accord and a later agreement concerning the sharing of natural resources.
- 2020Libya peace process support
Libya
HD supported dialogue among major Libyan stakeholders and helped broker an immediate ceasefire in August 2020.
Outcome. The process contributed to a formal ceasefire and a UN-backed political agreement establishing an interim government and an elections roadmap.
- 2014Casamance dialogue
Senegal · Guinea-Bissau
HD worked to create an inclusive negotiating platform between the Senegalese government and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance.
Outcome. A roadmap for disarmament was signed by Senegal and southern MFDC factions on 4 August 2022.
- 2004Southern Philippines peace support
Philippines
HD supported efforts to end conflict in the southern Philippines through peace-talk assistance, community dialogue and mediator training.
Outcome. The work supported the 2014 peace talks and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
- 2003Oslo Forum
International
HD and Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs created a recurring confidential forum for the international mediation and peacemaking community.
Outcome. The forum became an ongoing venue for exchange on mediation practice and negotiations.
- 2003Basque conflict engagement
Spain
For around fifteen years, HD conducted discreet engagement connected with efforts to resolve violence associated with the Basque armed group ETA.
Outcome. ETA disbanded, and its final declaration was made public at HD headquarters on 3 May 2018.
- 1999Aceh peace process
Indonesia
HD's first mediation project helped create conditions for negotiations between the Indonesian government and GAM, contributing to the 2005 final peace agreement.
Outcome. A final peace agreement was reached in 2005.
Brand decisions
2020
Supported an immediate ceasefire in LibyaOtherBackground
Libya's conflict required a reduction in violence and renewed engagement among major national stakeholders.
Action taken
HD helped broker an immediate ceasefire and encouraged the parties to return to political talks.
Aftermath
The initiative contributed to a formal ceasefire and a UN-supported political process.
2003
Created a global mediation knowledge forumStrategyBackground
Mediators and peacemakers needed a confidential setting to compare experience and reflect on negotiation practice.
Action taken
HD began co-hosting the Oslo Forum with Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aftermath
The forum became a continuing platform for international mediation exchange.
1999
Expanded from humanitarian dialogue into conflict mediationStrategyBackground
HD was initially conceived as a discreet venue for discussing humanitarian issues, but conflict parties in Aceh requested assistance with resolving the underlying political conflict.
Action taken
The organisation broadened its mandate to include direct mediation, conflict prevention and support for negotiated settlements.
Aftermath
This became the basis for HD's global peacemaking model.
Recent events
- 2025
HD supports a cessation of hostilities process in Quibdó[1]
Other
Armed gangs in Quibdó, Colombia, agreed to a permanent cessation of hostilities developed with HD support as part of wider efforts to reduce organised violence.
- 2023
HD honours Olusegun Obasanjo for mediation in Ethiopia[1]
Other
The organisation presented former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo with a letter and certificate from its board in recognition of his peace mediation in Ethiopia's Tigray region.
- 2022
Centre receives the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize for 2022[1]
Other
The HD Centre was recognised for its record of using mediation and other forms of engagement to bring conflict parties together and help end armed conflicts.
Sources2 sources
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