The Sixth National Dialogues Conference in Helsinki to discuss peace and dialogue in a world affected by multiple crises

The Sixth National Dialogues Conference will take place on 11–13 June. The Conference invites participants to consider the role of national dialogues and non-formal dialogue processes in enhancing resilience, preventing and resolving conflict, and maintaining peace in challenging conditions. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will open the Conference and participate in the opening panel discussion on Youth and Peacebuilding.

Since 2014, the National Dialogues Conference (NDC) has served as an important platform for sharing best practices in peace mediation, as well as a meeting place for those involved in different peace processes and dialogues.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Conference on National Dialogues and Non-Formal Dialogue Processes. Gathering over 200 participants from more than 60 countries, the Conference aims to enhance understanding of how dialogue processes can best be adapted to the current global environment affected by multiple crises.

The discussions will include insights and experiences from countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, Myanmar, South Africa, Sudan, and Yemen. The Conference highlights the synergies and complementarity between the different actors, addressing the rise of so-called middle powers as well as challenges to the multilateral system.

Elaborating on different mediation traditions and approaches, the Conference discusses religious actors’ and indigenous peoples’ roles and perspectives. The participants will also examine the challenges of integrating issues such as climate change and Artificial Intelligence in dialogue processes. The Conference also addresses the question of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in peace processes, and studies the interlinkages between National Dialogues, human rights, democracy, and elections. Gender and inclusivity are cross-cutting themes running through  the Conference.

The international speakers of the NDC include representatives of governments, international and regional organisations, and civil society, including organisations of persons with disabilities. Some speakers participating in high-level sessions include Zane Dangor (Director-General, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa), Eamon Gilmore (Former EU Special Representative for Human Rights and EU Special Envoy for the Colombia Peace Process, Ireland), Felipe Paullier (Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, United Nations), Dr. Anarkali Kaur Honaryar (Former Senator of Afghanistan), Héctor Fabio Henao (Delegate for Church - State Relations and Permanent Companion of the Peace Process, Colombian Conference of Catholic Bishops), and Eiman Baldo (Head of the Sudan Unit, Next Century Foundation).

The National Dialogues Conference is organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, together with CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (CMI), Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm) and Finn Church Aid (FCA), and in cooperation with the Abilis Foundation. This year, CMI provides the secretariat for the Conference.