For Geneva Peace Week 2019, QUNO and Interpeace organised a self-reflective roundtable on Integrating Human Rights and Sustaining Peace. The roundtable brought together peacebuilders to share their reflections on how to creatively traverse the disciplinary, policy and practice divides between the human rights and peacebuilding fields.

To the layperson, the link between human rights and peacebuilding may seem obvious. However, there has been a traditional schism between the two sectors, premised on an understanding that they are divided by different methods, priorities and operational approaches. In the spirit of bridging these silos, participants at the roundtable discussed issues such as the need to focus on economic, social and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights when intersecting with peacebuilding, the need for a broader approach to justice and human rights that transcends the narrow constraints of criminal justice, and the importance of listening to local lived experiences. Several participants commented that local actors often do not see the distinction between human rights and peacebuilding and have a naturally more integrated way of working.

The Peace Week roundtable on Integrating Human Rights and Sustaining Peace saw a clear enthusiasm among the group for increased collaboration, and QUNO looks forward to continuing adding value to this space.

For more information, please read the concept note available below.