Supporting the Resolution of Land Conflicts – in Search for Lessons Learned

Land and natural resources play an important part in many of the currently ongoing conflicts across the globe. Although almost never the only reason for a conflict to break out, they are relevant factors in all phases of conflict cycle, often providing an easily identifiable reason for people to mobilize and for conflict to begin; fueling the continuation of the conflict when used for covering the costs of the conflict and thus undermining the prospects of peace. Resolving land issues is important when trying to resolve conflicts.

Through case examples the round table discussion will shed light on the different ways land and natural resources play a part in some of the ongoing conflicts as well as look into some of the tools useful for mitigating land issues in conflict resolution. How can land issues be tackled in order to support the conflict resolution? The case countries are South Africa, Colombia and Myanmar.

Date: Wednesday 26th of October 2016 at 9–12 am.

Venue: Eurooppasali, Malminkatu 16, Helsinki

Please find a draft programme for the event below. Coffee will be served at the venue from 9:00.

We kindly ask you to register for the event on Thursday 20th of October at the latest by sending an email at ilmoittautumiset(at)suomenlahetysseura.fi. Please identify the name of the organisation you are representing, phone number and possible food allergies.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: Mr Jarkko-Pekka Kärkkäinen, Junior advisor, jarkko-pekka.karkkainen(at)felm.org, +358 43 8243 274

Programme

9.00 Morning coffee

9.30 Welcoming words: Sari Artjoki, Head of the European Commission Representation in Finland

9.40 Opening remarks: Kristiina Rintakoski, Director for Peacebuilding and Advocacy, Felm

9.50 Why land issues matter in peace mediation and peace building?
Mervi Kultamaa, Desk Officer, Mediation, Unit for UN and General Global Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

10.10 Addressing Land and conflicts – a case study from South Africa
Musa Zakwe, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZNCC), South Africa

10:40 Colombia: Land issues at the root of the conflict and as key negotiation points when trying to resolve it
Lea Pakkanen, Advisor, Media & Advocacy, Felm

10:50 Case of Myanmar and shared knowledge on land issues as a part of national dialogue’s toolkit for peace & Presentation of Peace and Dialogue platform
Timo Stewart, Project Manager – Myanmar Peace Process support project, Felm

11:00 In search for a facilitation strategies for land conflicts
Johannes Siebert, Common Space Initiative, Lebanon

11:20 Discussion facilitated by Lea Pakkanen, Adviser for Peace and Reconciliation, Felm

Registration at ilmoittautumiset(at)suomenlahetysseura.fi on Thursday 20th of October 2016 at the latest. Please identify the name of the organization you are representing, phone number and possible food allergies. For further information: Mr Jarkko-Pekka Kärkkäinen, Junior advisor, jarkko-pekka.karkkainen(at)felm.org, +358 43 8243 274