The Civil Society Dialogue Network
The Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) is a mechanism for dialogue between civil society and EU policy-makers on peace and conflict. It is co-financed by the EU and the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), and managed by EPLO in co-operation with the European Commission (EC) and the European External Action Service (EEAS). The CSDN was established in 2010 and the fifth phase (CSDN V) began in 2023.
The Civil Society Dialogue Network
Peace in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: Good Practices and Recommendations
This animated video provides a short overview of some of the points, case studies and recommendations that are included in the CSDN Discussion Paper ‘Peace in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: Good Practices and Recommendations’. The paper, authored by Lorenzo Angelini and Summer Brown, is available here.
Peace in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: Good Practices and Recommendations
The implementation of the EU-wide Strategic Framework to Support Security Sector Reform
On 14 June 2023, EPLO held a Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) Policy Meeting on “The implementation of the EU-wide Strategic Framework to Support Security Sector Reform: Gathering Civil Society Perspectives”. Afterwards, we interviewed four of the civil society participants on a number of issues related to the topic.
In this set of video interviews, the civil society experts delve into what human security means, the importance of EU support to civil society actors engaging with security and justice actors, and the need for inclusion and gender-responsiveness.
Human security & people-centred approaches
Support by the EU to civil society
Inclusivity and gender-responsiveness
MARIAMA
MARIAMA is a 20-minute documentary. It tells the true story of Mariama Diomande, a 23 year old girl, working to build peace in her community of Yopougon in the aftermath of Côte d’Ivoire’s post-election violence in 2010.
MARIAMA
Water, Peace and Conflict: Building Peace and Protecting the Environment
On 27 October 2022, EPLO organised a Civil Society Dialogue Network meeting entitled “Water, Peace and Conflict: Exchanging on Opportunities and Best Practices”.
Following the meeting, civil society experts were interviewed about the relationship between the climate crisis, water and conflict. In a series of interviews, the experts touched on the role of dialogue and mediation, the importance of inclusive water governance structures, and the support the EU can provide to local civil society.
Building Peace and Protecting the Environment
The Role of Dialogue and Mediation
The Importance of Inclusive Governance
EU Support to Civil Society
Youth Inclusion in Peacebuilding
Over 40% of the world’s population is below the age of 25. The voices of young people must be heard if we wish to build long-lasting peace. These two short videos tackle the topic of youth inclusion, highlighting contributions young people can make on issues like education, peacebuilding, racism, etc.
We thank the European Union (EU) for its financial support in producing these videos. The contents of these videos are the sole responsibility of the producer and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU.
Hear the Youth
Youth Build Peace
Rooting Peace in Human Rights
Thursday December 10th was the International Day for Human Rights. To mark the occasion, EPLO released a series of interviews of women protecting and promoting human rights and justice in their communities, to achieve sustainable peace.
These videos were made possible in collaboration with The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), who connected us with their partners.
Selma Korjenic
Hayma Alyousfi
Justine N. Kwachu Kumche
Gulnara Shahinian
Dì Mi L’amore
The song “Di Mi l’Amore” and accompanying sand art video was produced by Petru Canon, a Corsican singer, songwriter and poet, Britt Hewitt, a New York-based singer and songwriter and graduate of The Juilliard School, and Belgian sand artist Colette Dedyn.
The production process was part of The Peace Studio’s “100 Offerings of Peace” campaign, which commissioned creatives to generate peace offerings (new works of art) in response to the isolating COVID-19 pandemic and the impassioned protests over centuries old racial injustices happening in the streets. Read more here.
Guest writer Sarah Luft published an article about the song and the collaboration behind it. Her reflections have also been translated into French.
Watch the sand art video
Watch the Premiere
You Can Build Peace
Conflict and Peace in the Sahel Region
In March 2020, EPLO organised a CSDN Geographic Meeting on the conflict dynamics and drivers of peace in the Sahel region. This video is the result of interviews which were made during the meeting, and is intended to highlight the key points and recommendations made by civil society experts during the discussions.
English version
Support local civil society
Meet basic needs more effectively
Promote and foster dialogue
Version française
Soutenir la société civile locale
Répondre aux besoins de base
Encourager et faciliter le dialogue
#HumansBuildPeace
These are the stories of local peacebuilders, who inspire their communities to strive for a more peaceful and better world.
Betty Adera
Pascal Kipkemboi
Paul Mutuku
Mahmoud Qeshreh
Marsabit
Climate change is predicted to increase conflict in the coming decades. In some parts of the world, this is already the case. Yet in Marsabit, Northern Kenya, young women and men, mothers and elders from different communities, are refusing to let the harsh climate conditions determine their fate.
This film looks at the human resilience that emerges in the search of solutions.
Full documentary
Trailer
MARSABIT – VOSTFR
Women Mediators: Moving beyond Stereotypes
This video, featuring the incredible work done by women mediators across the world and the challenges they face, has been produced in the framework of the Civil Society Dialogue Network Policy Meeting ‘EU Support to Women Mediators: Moving beyond Stereotypes’ (March 2019, Brussels).
More information on the meeting here.
Full video
Trailer
Interview with Betty Bigombe
Interview with Sara Cook
Interview with Yodit Lemma
Interview with Diana Protsenko
Interview with Ghalia Sassi
Interview with Fatma Sheneib
Interview with Inna Tereshchenko
Interview with Jurma Tikmasan
The Civil Society Dialogue Network
The Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) is a mechanism for dialogue between civil society and EU policy-makers on peace and conflict. The CSDN was established in 2010 and the fourth phase (CSDN IV) began in 2020 and will last until 2023.
More information here.