Voices for Peace
Global Dialogue Series 2025
Overview
The AFSC is planning a global program of convenings designed to foster impactful advocacy by civil society and communities, with a focus on driving global systems change. Central to this initiative is a 6-part Global Dialogue Series, which will convene key leaders and influencers across various fields and geographies to address pressing global peace issues, such as international humanitarian law violations and genocide prevention. By creating spaces for critical discussions and collective action, the program aims to elevate the voices of those most affected by conflict, ensuring that their perspectives shape policy and advocacy efforts. This initiative will enhance collaboration with European partners, deepen core methodologies, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Ultimately, the vision is to empower communities to influence policy, build global networks, and drive lasting change on a global scale.
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Convening #1
“Forgotten War” in Syria – December 12, 2024
AFSC, in partnership with Quäker-Hilfe Stiftung, will launch the global dialogue series with a one-day event at the European Parliament (Brussels, Belgium) on Thursday, December 12. This one-day convening will focus on the prolonged nature of the Syria crisis, often referred to as a “forgotten war,” and its devastating effects. Topics covered will include the connection to the Middle East crisis, ongoing humanitarian efforts, the inequality that Syrian refugees are facing, and impacts on Europe. Participants include the EU Special Envoy on Syria, MPs, and Syria leaders and activists. Register here for this event.
This will be the first in a series of country specific forgotten wars dialogues. Other possible countries include DPRK, Myanmar, and Sudan. The objective is to increase attention on protracted conflicts and militarization and to find recommendations for the prevention of atrocities and cessation of conflict.
Convening #2
Power Shifts: Lessons on courageous action and moral leadership in multi-lateral world
We will examine the concept of moral leadership, today and through history. What countries are acting to promote global moral leadership and human rights? What role has the United States played as a moral leader even when promoting interventionism, covert interference in geopolitics and extreme militarism. What does it mean to de-center the US and other Western countries and center countries from the Global South for courageous actions and leadership? We hope to invite representatives from South Africa involved in the ICJ case against Israel.
Convening #3
Border externalization and shrinking asylum space: Humanizing migration
How can states live up to their international obligations to protect migrants and asylum seekers? States have obligations to respect and protect migrant rights and ensure that refugees and asylum seekers access their territory, seek asylum and have their basic human rights protected.
How do these policies harm communities and how can we end this? How can we shift the way States understand and address human mobility? AFSC will host a high-level convening to explore ways in which States can redefine border outsourcing approaches to more inclusive, decolonized models that prioritize the rights, needs and voices of the people on the move and impacted communities.
Convening #4
Rethinking Security: From Protection to Partnership in Global Diplomacy
Shift in Security Paradigms – Are Governments Truly Protecting Their People?
Is militarism protecting people, and are government actors’ hearts in the right place? Key themes include examining traditional military approaches versus the need for holistic security and looking at examples of successful diplomatic engagement in the modern era. We will examine how governments can foster a collective security mindset that goes beyond borders and includes common global threats (climate change, cyber threats, economic instability).
We will explore real-life application in recent conflicts, emphasizing the benefits of collaboration over conflict and what it will take to build sufficient trust among nations that security agreements will be honored without the need for arms? We will discuss how international monitoring and peacekeeping frameworks can be revitalized, highlight success stories or failures that illuminate the benefits of a shared security mindset, and the steps necessary for leaders, policymakers, and the public to embrace a new model of security.