Join us on 8 October for the third edition of the UCLG Municipal Peace Talks in The Hague. Together with the City of The Hague, VNG is organizing the event “Peace Begins Here: Local Solutions for Conflict”. This event brings together various leaders and organizations, based in The Hague and around the world, working on local-level peacebuilding and promoting dialogue, and will include exchanges with municipal policymakers, leaders, and practitioners.

The event will be held at the World Forum in The Hague on Tuesday 8 October, as part of the programme of the Unitied Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Council, and starts approximately at 10.00 hrs and ends around 12.30 hrs.

Registration

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Programme and time

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National issues, local solutions   

The role of local governments worldwide in preventing and resolving conflicts remains underexposed, underestimated, and unknown. While international attention for conflict situations is increasing, little attention is given to the local context of such conflicts. Focus is put on national or international measures needed to prevent and resolve conflicts, while local governments are usually closest to the roots of the conflict and deal with the consequences directly and on a daily basis. Conflicts are often addressed at the national level, yet solutions are frequently found locally.     

Interactive sessions   

In interactive thematic sessions, we will delve into the prevention of radicalization and polarization, urban violence, disputes between communities, and migration. Topics that are addressed more effectively at local rather than national level. They encompass elements of local peacebuilding, reflecting the diverse challenges faced by local governments.   Each session will present varied and compelling examples of how these issues can be effectively addressed at the local level. The outcomes of these discussions will be presented at the end in a concluding plenary session and compiled into a comprehensive outcome document, which will serve as a valuable resource, capturing insights and recommendations that can inform future local peacebuilding efforts.

UCLG World Council

From October 8 to 10, Mayor Jan van Zanen will welcome mayors from around the word in The Hague for the UCLG World Council. The World Council is the main policy-making body of UCLG, the largest organization of local governments and associations of municipalities, and consists of 350 elected local politicians.

Under the theme, “A New Peace Agenda for Future Generations”, the World Council will be organized in the framework of the celebrations that The Hague is having this year on the occasion of its 125th anniversary as International City of Peace and Justice, which coincides with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of UCLG in its current shape.

In October, Mayor Van Zanen will assume the rotating presidency from Mayor Altay of Konya, Turkey. As Mayor Van Zanen becomes President, the third edition of the UCLG Municipal Peace Talks will be held during the World Council.