ASEAN-IPR Discussion Series Session 6: “Peace Processes Beyond ASEAN – Sharing Best Practices and Lessons Learned”
ASEAN-IPR UPDATE
ASEAN-IPR DISCUSSION SERIES 2021 SESSION 6:
PEACE PROCESSES BEYOND ASEAN – SHARING BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED
Thursday, 18 November 2021
ASEAN-IPR Zoom + YouTube Channel
Almost 200 participants tuned in through zoom and the ASEAN-IPR YouTube channel for the 6th Session of the ASEAN-IPR Discussion Series 2021, specially convened in conjunction with the celebration of the Institute’s 9th Anniversary on 18 November 2021. The Session’s theme was in the spirit of strengthening engagement and partnership with like-minded Institutions, pursuant to the Institute’s function as a knowledge hub and through the establishment of network and collaboration. Thus, the topic at hand as “peace processes beyond ASEAN – sharing best practices and lessons learned”.
The ASEAN-IPR Discussion Series in 2021 continued to be supported by the Embassies of Ireland and Finland in Jakarta. This very special session brought together representatives from regional organisations including the African Union (AU), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Organization of American States (OAS) with the objective to share their roles and/or experiences in peace processes within their region. To complete the global perspective, a representative from the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN-DPPA) was also present to share the UN’s approach and role in peace processes from a multilateral perspective including its engagement with ASEAN’s institutions.
The Executive Director of ASEAN-IPR underlined that aside from celebration, anniversary is a time to reflect and strive for improvement in oneself. Indeed, to achieve peace, one must not only believe it in, but work at it. If anything, the pandemic has taught all of us all to innovate, and that there’s no such thing as “one size fits all”. Therefore, the Institute is happy to be learning from other regions. Prior to the discussions, the first Executive Director of ASEAN-IPR, Ambassador Rezlan Ishar Jenie, and the Chair of the Governing Council, Ambassador Pengiran Hairani Pengiran Tajuddin, conveyed their felicitations and reassurance of what the Institute has achieved in the past nine years. Such include an array of symposia and workshops, research project, training and capacity building projects, partnership with friends and like-minded institutions, manifestation of its first pool of experts through the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR), as well as the first-ever ASEAN Women Interfaith Dialogue (as the first of its kind in the region).
Discussions were moderated by Dr. Ketut Putra Erawan, Executive Director of Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD). Dr. Christina Horvath-Stenner (OSCE), Ms. Mukondeleli Mpeiwa (AU) & Ms. Marian Vidaurri (OAS), all shared the the mechanisms and/or architecture of their respective organisations on conflict resolution and peace-building. They highlighted the various lessons learned on their respective organisation’s role in facilitating peace-building and the resolution of conflicts within their respective region/jurisdiction. Amongst the best practices underscored by all speakers was inclusivity of all stakeholders in the process of conflict resolution. Another dimension highlighted by the speakers include contemporary challenges such as the weaponization of ICT and social media, exacerbating the process of facilitating conflict resolution and peace building. Additionally, all speakers also highlighted the impact of COVID-19 to the complexity of the aforementioned processes.
Ms Teresa Whitfeld, Director of Policy and Mediation Division of UN-DPPA highlighted the UN’s work under the Secretary-General’s (UNSG) good offices mechanism – including mediation, facilitation and specialised expertise. She also acknowledged the significant role of regionalism in peace processes, which became the basis of UN’s engagement with its regional partners all over the world, including with ASEAN.
Stay tuned for the last session of this year’s Discussion Series, scheduled for mid-December, which will highlight the role of folklore (local wisdom) in peace-building. Be sure to subscribe to the ASEAN-IPR’s YouTube Channel, visit our Website and follow our social media for the latest information and/or updates on our activities.