swisspeace

swisspeace, formally associated with the Swiss Peace Foundation, is an independent Swiss practice and research institute dedicated to strengthening peacebuilding and peace research. Established in 1988, it was created to reinforce independent peace research in Switzerland and has developed into an institution that combines academic inquiry, policy advice, professional training, and support for actors working in conflict-affected environments. Its headquarters are in Basel, and it is associated with the University of Basel as well as being a member of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences. The organization works through partnerships with local and international actors. Rather than operating as a conventional commercial brand, swisspeace functions as a knowledge, advisory, and convening institution. Its work supports governments, civil-society organizations, international organizations, companies, researchers, mediators, and other stakeholders seeking to reduce violence, address the causes and consequences of conflict, and build more durable peace. Important public-sector donors and clients include the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. It also works with foundations, think tanks, and national and international organizations. Its areas of expertise include conflict analysis and impact assessment, peace mediation and dialogue, dealing with the past, statehood and conflict, gender and peacebuilding, climate change and natural-resource-related tensions, and responsible business conduct in conflict-sensitive environments. In conflict analysis and impact work, swisspeace develops methods for conflict sensitivity, adaptive management, learning, and evaluation. In mediation, it provides advice to mediators and conflict parties, supports inclusive dialogue processes, delivers training, and conducts research based on lessons from negotiations and peace processes. Dealing with the past, also known as transitional justice, is another central field. swisspeace approaches the aftermath of repression, armed conflict, and serious human-rights violations through four connected principles: the right to know, the right to justice, the right to reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence. Its work in this area is intended to help governmental and nongovernmental institutions respond to past abuses while reducing the risk that violence and repression will return. The institute also examines how state institutions, democracy, traditional authorities, gender relations, business activity, climate change, and access to natural resources shape conflict dynamics. Its gender and peacebuilding work reflects the different ways conflicts affect people according to gender and supports the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda associated with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. For companies operating in fragile or conflict-affected areas, swisspeace offers guidance on identifying conflict-related risks and adapting business practices. Education is an important part of the organization’s profile. In association with the University of Basel, swisspeace offers short courses and postgraduate programs covering peacebuilding, peace mediation and dialogue, dealing with the past, religion and conflict, and broader peace and conflict studies. Its continuing-education portfolio includes Certificates of Advanced Studies, a Diploma of Advanced Studies, and a Master of Advanced Studies. Beyond research and training, swisspeace has established platforms that connect practitioners and policymakers. In 2001 it founded the Center for Peacebuilding, known as KOFF, as a dialogue and networking platform for Swiss state and non-state actors working in peace, human rights, and development cooperation. In 2016 it launched the Basel Peace Forum, an annual event intended to bring together representatives of business, politics, science, and civil society to discuss innovation in peacebuilding. On its 25th anniversary in 2013, former International Committee of the Red Cross president Jakob Kellenberger became president of swisspeace. Professor Laurent Goetschel is identified as the institute’s director. The organization is described as having approximately seventy employees.

swisspeace was founded in 1988 under the name Swiss Peace Foundation. Its original purpose was to strengthen independent peace research in Switzerland, at a time when the country’s research, policy, and civil-society communities were developing more systematic approaches to peace and conflict. Over time, the foundation expanded beyond research into applied peacebuilding, policy support, professional education, and partnerships with organizations working directly in conflict-affected settings. The institution’s model is based on combining academic knowledge with practical engagement. Its researchers and advisers work with local and international partners on methods for understanding conflict, designing interventions, assessing impact, and learning from peace processes. This orientation has allowed swisspeace to address both immediate peacebuilding needs and longer-term questions concerning governance, justice, institutions, gender, business conduct, and environmental pressures. In 2001, swisspeace created the Center for Peacebuilding, or KOFF. The platform was designed to connect Swiss governmental and nongovernmental actors involved in peace, human rights, and development cooperation. KOFF became a forum for exchange, dialogue, and networking, helping give greater visibility and coordination to Swiss peacebuilding activities. It includes civil-society organizations and state actors. The organization’s work subsequently developed into several thematic programs. These include analysis and impact, peace mediation, dealing with the past, climate change and natural resources, responsible business conduct, statehood and conflict, and gender and peacebuilding. The dealing-with-the-past program addresses the consequences of serious human-rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. Its framework is organized around the right to know, the right to justice, the right to reparation, and the guarantee of non-recurrence. swisspeace also became associated with the University of Basel and a member of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences. Through this academic relationship, it developed continuing-education programs in peacebuilding and peace and conflict studies. Offerings include short courses, Certificates of Advanced Studies in specialized subjects, a Diploma of Advanced Studies, and a Master of Advanced Studies. On 10 September 2013, the organization marked its 25th anniversary and appointed Jakob Kellenberger, a former president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as its president. In 2016, swisspeace launched the Basel Peace Forum. The annual event brings together participants from business, politics, science, and civil society to consider new approaches to peacebuilding and to encourage cross-sectoral discussion. Today, swisspeace is headquartered in Basel and is described as employing approximately seventy people. It works with Swiss public authorities, research funders, international organizations, foundations, think tanks, companies, and civil-society partners. Its contemporary identity is that of a practice-oriented peace institute: it produces research and knowledge, supports mediation and transitional-justice processes, provides training and advice, and creates platforms through which peacebuilding actors can cooperate.

• 2016

  Basel Peace Forum launched

  [1]Swisspeaceen.wikipedia.org

  swisspeace launched the Basel Peace Forum as an annual cross-sector event focused on peacebuilding innovation.

• 2013

  Jakob Kellenberger became president

  [1]Swisspeaceen.wikipedia.org

  On the organization’s 25th anniversary, former International Committee of the Red Cross president Jakob Kellenberger became president of swisspeace.

• 2001

  KOFF founded

  [1]Swisspeaceen.wikipedia.org

  swisspeace established the Center for Peacebuilding, or KOFF, as a platform for dialogue and networking among Swiss state and non-state peacebuilding actors.

• 1988

  Swiss Peace Foundation established

  [1]Swisspeaceen.wikipedia.org

  The Swiss Peace Foundation was founded to strengthen independent peace research in Switzerland.

An independent Swiss peacebuilding institute combining research, practical advisory work, professional education, and convening across conflict prevention, mediation, transitional justice, and conflict-sensitive development.

• Research and advisory

  Conflict Analysis and Impact

  This area develops methods for conflict sensitivity, adaptive management, institutional learning, and impact assessment. It combines research with practical guidance for organizations working in fragile and conflict-affected settings, helping them understand context, manage interventions, and improve peacebuilding and development practice.

• Peacebuilding services

  Peace Mediation and Dialogue

  swisspeace supports mediation and dialogue processes involving conflict parties and third parties. Its work can include advice to mediators, inclusive consultations with civil society, training, research, and the production of practice-oriented knowledge based on negotiation and peace-process experience.

• Transitional justice

  Dealing with the Past

  The Dealing with the Past program addresses the legacies of armed conflict, authoritarian rule, repression, and serious human-rights violations. Its holistic framework emphasizes four dimensions: the right to know, the right to justice, the right to reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence.

• Networking platform · 2001

  KOFF

  The Center for Peacebuilding is a Swiss platform for exchange, dialogue, and networking among state and civil-society organizations active in peace, human rights, and development cooperation. It seeks to strengthen the visibility and relevance of Swiss peacebuilding work.

• Conference and convening · 2016

  Basel Peace Forum

  The Basel Peace Forum is an annual event created by swisspeace to bring together business, political, academic, and civil-society participants. It provides a setting for discussing emerging approaches and innovation in peacebuilding.

• Professional education

  Postgraduate Peace and Conflict Education

  In association with the University of Basel, swisspeace offers short courses and continuing-education qualifications in areas including peacebuilding essentials, peace mediation and dialogue, dealing with the past, religion and conflict, and broader peace and conflict studies. The portfolio includes CAS, DAS, and MAS-level programs.

• 2016

  Launch of the Basel Peace ForumOther

  Background

  swisspeace sought to broaden discussion of peacebuilding beyond specialist organizations and to encourage innovation across sectors.

  Action taken

  It launched the Basel Peace Forum as an annual conference for representatives of economics, politics, science, and society.

  Aftermath

  The forum became a recurring convening project associated with swisspeace.

  Source

• 2001

  Creation of a national peacebuilding networkStrategy

  Background

  Swisspeace identified a need for stronger exchange and coordination among Swiss governmental and nongovernmental actors working on peace, human rights, and development.

  Action taken

  It founded KOFF, the Center for Peacebuilding, as a dialogue, exchange, and networking platform.

  Aftermath

  KOFF developed into an established platform involving civil-society organizations and state actors engaged in Swiss peacebuilding.

  Source

1. 1Swisspeaceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2swisspeace official websiteswisspeace.org