Conflict and violence appear on our screens every day. But what do people actually think about peace and conflict? How should we respond to conflict more effectively in order to ensure lasting peace? How important is economic and political inclusion for peace? And how optimistic or pessimistic are people about the prospects for peace?

This Brown Bag Lunch event will provide an overview of the perceptions of more than 100,000 poll participants across 15 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hungary, India, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, the UK and the USA. In the lead up to the elections of a new European Parliament and the appointment of a new European Commission in 2019, this poll provides lessons relevant to the EU’s external actions as well as how the EU responds to conflict more broadly under the banner of the Integrated Approach and the EU Global Strategy.

Julian Egan, Head of Advocacy at International Alert; and Christine Wilson, Head of Research at the British Council, will present the main findings. Rene van Nes, Deputy Head of the Division for the Prevention of Conflicts, Rule of Law/SSR, Integrated Approach, Stabilisation and Mediation (PRISM) at the European External Action Service, will provide a response to the poll from an EU policy perspective. The presentation will be followed by an informal discussion among participants.

The poll report is available at: http://peaceperceptionspoll.org

Participants are welcome to bring their own lunch and EPLO will provide tea and coffee.

Kindly note that places are limited and registration is mandatory. RSVP to Colin Cogitore if you would like to participate.