IC Forum 2024: What is peace?

The number of armed conflicts is at an all-time high. More than 108 million people are currently forcibly displaced by conflict, violence, persecution, human rights violations and the consequences of climate change worldwide. That’s more than three times as many as ten years ago. At the same time, the number of people living in extreme poverty has risen for the first time in 30 years. The global challenges have changed significantly over the last few decades. Global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic or Russia’s aggression in Ukraine or the new cycle of violence between Israel and Hamas have shaped domestic and foreign policies and have had economic and social implications for Switzerland’s International Cooperation. These multidimensional challenges can only be met if different actors who support sustainable development and promote peace join forces and strengthen their common engagement. 

The IC Forum 2024 "What is peace?" will address these challenges and explore new pathways for solutions for sustainable peace such as:

• Innovation: linking new approaches to peace with the three dimensions of economic, environmental and social issues for sustainable development;
• Engaging in critical dialogue: joint discussions on political issues and how to technically implement peace initiatives combined with sustainable development;
• Trust: engaging new stakeholders and different perspectives in the dialogue for peace.

Further information and opportunities to participate can be found on the IC Forum platform.