QUNO hosted peacebuilders from around the world on 19 and 20 June, at Quaker House, for a two-day gathering titled: 'What's Next in Peacebuilding?'.

The retreat was an opportunity for leading peacebuilders to come together to reflect upon current challenges and opportunities for the peacebuilding field and brainstorm on how to collaborate effectively in the changing global political landscape. 

Participants touched on a range of issues by sharing their perspectives, issues and concerns. Considering this, current UN reform processes were discussed with attention to the effect this may have on civil society organisations, and for peacebuilding writ large. Among others, participants heard from colleagues working in Washington DC about the institutional changes and how these changes will shape the future of peacebuilding efforts. 

Additional sessions on the role youth play in peacebuilding, and on what part peacebuilding practices play in development initiatives and conflict prevention were discussed. In the session on the role of youth, participants observed the importance of youth as peacebuilding actors, moving toward a more nuanced view of their role in the prevention of violent extremism debate. 

Financing for peacebuilding was another key topic the participants discussed, with the conversation centering on current and future challenges and opportunities of various fundraising strategies, and creatively thinking innovative financing peacebuilding. In this vein the topic of partnerships was also raised, especially looking at how civil society organizations can utilize opportunities like "What's Next in Peacbuilding?" to build a strategic vision of peacebuilding, and to build strong cross-global relationships to foster peace.