Even in the most hostile and challenging environments, many peace initiatives are taking place that do not receive the attention they deserve. The 2016 Geneva Peace Talks, organized under the theme “Peace Happens!”, will unite diverse speakers such as an Iraqi orchestra conductor who plays his cello at bomb sites, young leaders who specialise in de-radicalization initiatives, and a Geneva entrepreneur using public spaces to promote interaction and human connection, to share their timely stories and practical solutions for resolving conflict.

The 4^th edition of the Geneva Peace Talks will be held on Wednesday, 21^st September 2016 from 16:00-18:00 in Room XVII at the Palais des Nations. This will be the flagship event in Geneva to mark the International Day of Peace, and symbolically stand for a Geneva spirit to resolve conflict through dialogue and negotiation.

The Geneva Peace Talks are a public event co-organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva, Interpeace and the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform. This year’s edition is held in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the Global Shapers Community Geneva. The event is made possible with the support of the Swiss Confederation, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva, and Mirabaud Bank.

The following speakers will deliver dynamic and inspiring eight-minute talks on how they are working to promote more peaceful societies though inclusion, both in Geneva and abroad:

• Karim Wasfi, Chief conductor and Director of the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra. Karim will additionally give a musical performance with his cello.
• Mimoun Berrissoun, Founder and Managing Director of 180° Wende, he will talk about the role of young people to prevent and address radicalisation. Young Leader at the Kofi Annan Foundation’s program Extremely Together
• Ahmed Labnouj, Program Coordinator for Libya and Tunisia at Interpeace, will talk about understanding sources of stability and resilience in Libya.
• Helen Calle Lin, restaurateur, music, graphic arts and culture entrepreneur in Geneva. Helen will speak about the role of public spaces in promoting human connection.
• Lionel Aeschlimann, Managing Partner at Mirabaud & Cie and member of the Board of the Swiss think tank Avenir Suisse. Lionel will talk about the role of the banking sector in daily life and in peace.
• Mireille Widmer, security and development adviser, and Nicolas Witschard, counsellor for community action at the City of Geneva. Both are members of the “neighborhood contract”, in the Pâquis neighborhood of Geneva. They will talk about building peace at your doorstep.
• Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba, Secretary General of the Mano River Union, will speak about women and peace with a focus on West Africa.
• Marc Bonnet, Head of the Risk Management at the International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. Marc will speak about demining in Colombia as a confidence building measure to contribute to peace.
• Musical performance by POSOSHOK, a musical group mixing South African sounds with those of the rest of Africa and the world.

Accredited correspondents are most welcome to attend. Please note that registration is mandatory. You are invited to register online until Monday 19, September 2016 here.  For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live on webtv.un.org and http://peacetalks.net.

Correspondents and journalists interested in talking with individual speakers and event organizers prior to or after the Geneva Peace Talks please contact:

Rhéal LeBlanc, United Nations Information Service, Tel. +41 (0)22 917 23 36, Email: rleblanc@unog.ch
Alexandre Munafo, Interpeace, Mobile: +41 (0) 79 272 73 22; E-mail: munafo@interpeace.org or Isotta Cleps, Mobile: +41 (0) 76 818 01 99; E-mail: cleps@interpeace.org

For more information, please visit the new Peace Talks website genevapeacetalks.ch

The "Geneva Peace talks", Palais des Nations. Friday 20 September 2013. Photo by Violaine Martin