Inside Conflict

Peace does not emerge automatically, it requires institutions, relationships, and social systems capable of managing conflict constructively over time. This panel explores how societies can design “peace architectures” that strengthen resilience, support reconciliation, and address the root causes of conflict. Drawing on insights from peace practice and research, panellists will discuss how future approaches to peacebuilding can respond to increasingly complex global challenges. Moderator: Jean-Paul Chami, Peacebuilding Advisor Speakers: Rana Yazaji, Executive Director of the Artas Foundation Kuol Arou Kuol, South Sudanese peacebuilder, refugee leader, and Practitioner Associate of Unyoke Foundation Duncan Morrow, Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University Michael Fryer, Coach and Consultant Closing: Tobias Lang, ACP Director Moderation: Damita Pressl Danke an CPDC und Land Burgenland!

Die internationale Rolle der USA verändert sich und stellt Europa sowie die multilaterale Ordnung vor neue Herausforderungen. Das Panel diskutiert, welche Auswirkungen aktuelle Entwicklungen in der US-Politik auf internationale Kooperation, Sicherheitspolitik und das Völkerrecht haben. Gleichzeitig geht es um die Frage, wie Europa neue politische Narrative und strategische Ansätze entwickeln kann, um eine zukunftsfähige Architektur des Friedens zu gestalten. Moderatorin: Damita Pressl, Journalistin Sprecher*innen: Martin Kobler, Mitglied des ACP-Beirats und Diplomat Hannelore Veit, Moderatorin und Vizepräsidentin der ÖAG Matt Karnitschnig, Chefredakteur von euractiv Irene Giner-Reichl, Vizepräsidentin des ACP und Präsidentin des Global Forum on Sustainable Energy Danke an CPDC und Land Burgenland!

In the midst of violent conflict and collapsing state institutions, Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, Right Livelihood Award laureates 2025, have emerged as remarkable examples of grassroots organisation and community protection. Created by local communities to coordinate humanitarian support and mutual aid, these networks demonstrate how solidarity and resilience can sustain societies during war. This conversation explores what the international community can learn from those practicing peace and protection under extreme conditions. Video Message: Alaa Ismail Abdelkreem, Sudanese peacebuilder and human rights defender and Sudan Emergency Response Rooms Moderator: Jan Pospisil, ACP Advisory Board Member, Affiliated Researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs and co-investigator in the PeaceRep Speakers: Alsanosi Adam, External Communications Coordinator for the Emergency Response Rooms of Sudan, Right Livelihood Award laureate Winnifred Bedigen, Lecturer at the University of Leeds, specialising in African indigenous knowledge systems, peacebuilding and gender in post-conflict societies Moderation: Damita Pressl Danke an CPDC und Land Burgenland!

As the landscape of peace mediation evolves, a growing number of states and regional actors are taking active roles in facilitating negotiations and diplomatic engagement. This panel examines how these shifts are reshaping the broader ecosystem in which peacebuilding organisations operate and how civil society dialogue initiatives connect to changing mediation dynamics. Panelists will reflect on how peacebuilding practice can adapt to new political realities while continuing to contribute meaningfully to conflict resolution. Moderator: Anna Hess, ACP Advisory Board Member, Research Associate with the Geneva Graduate Institute Speakers: Itonde Kakoma, CEO and President of Interpeace Chris Coulter, Executive Director of Berghof Foundation Imad Karam, Senior Peacebuilder and Filmmaker Peter Jones, Ottawa University Moderation: Damita Pressl Danke an CPDC und Land Burgenland!

Danke an CPDC und Land Burgenland!

Vortrag von ACP Head of Research Adham Hamed im Rahmen der Vorlesung “Internationale Politik” am Institut für Politikwissenschaft (SoSe26)

In der neuen Folge des ACP-Podcasts „Inside Conflict“ spricht Sophia Stanger, Senior Project Manager und Focal Point für Environmental Peacebuilding am ACP, ausführlich über die Verbindung zwischen Klima und Frieden und identifiziert in diesem Zusammenhang zentrale Programmpunkte der COP30.

Summary of the Workshop Outcomes Bernadette Holzer, Head of International Conference Management, ACP Paneldiscussion: Synthesis and Perspectives for the Future Speakers Christian Strohal, Chairman of the Advisory Board, ACP Ertuğrul Apakan, former Turkish diplomat Nancy Annan, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Peace and Security, Coventry University Moderator: Damita Pressl Closing Remarks Tobias Lang, Director, ACP

Speakers: Mario Drobics, Head of Competence Unit for Cooperative Digital Technologies, AIT Annika Hansen, Deputy Head of Policy, Partnerships & Innovation Team, ZIF Berlin Lina Rukšteliene, Lithuanian Ambassador to Austria Branka Panic, Founder and Executive Director, AI for PEACE Daniel Hikes-Wurm, Senior Advisor for Defence Policy, Directorate General for Defence Policy of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence Moderator: Damita Pressl