Ways forward for the Humanitarian - Development-Peace-Nexus: How to conceptualise and implement peace activities?

The humanitarian–development–peace (HDP) nexus is the "new way of working" for UN agencies and international and national NGOs, introduced at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016. The HDP nexus calls for conflict sensitivity and conflict prevention, but also encourages H, D and P actors to design and implement peacebuilding activities. However, the peace component of the triple HDP nexus has been the most elusive one for actors to implement, and donors are still struggling to devise funding strategies and models that allow for flexible adaptation in crisis contexts. Also, the localisation of aid to local and national actors in crisis intervention contexts has made little progress. This international conference brings together implementing organisations, donor institutions and academics to find answers to the following pressing questions:

• Political perspectives: What are possible peace activities and what is political about them? What are the strengths and risks of introducing these activities in the context of protracted crises?
• Local perspectives: What have been the obstacles to strengthening the role of local actors in the design and implementation of the HDP nexus, and in what ways can these be empowered?
• Practical perspectives: Do we need to integrate H, D, and P activities, or just better coordinate among H, D and P actors? What are the difficulties and synergies of both options

The conference has a global focus: Experiences with the HDP in Iraq, Mali and South Sudan will be put into perspective with experiences in other areas of the world to draw cross-regional lessons. Speakers and participants at the conference possess a wide range of backgrounds, including professionals working for local to international implementing organisations, donor institutions and academia.

Simultaneous translation (French and Arabic) will be provided throughout the conference.

The format of the conference will be hybrid, with the possibility of online participation.