July 19 – 21, 2005

Coexistence Staff, Faculty Participate in U.N. Conference in New York City

The Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence and Coexistence International were well represented at the recent United Nations Global Conference "From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Violent Conflict and Build Peace," held July 19-21 in New York City.

Mari Fitzduff, professor of coexistence and director of the Master's program in the Slifka Program on Intercommunal Coexistence and Chair of the Advisory Board of Coexistence International, presented on a panel titled "Strengthening Partnerships for Prevention: Engagement Between the U.N., Regional Organizations, Governments and Civil Society Organizations."

Cynthia Cohen, Director of Coexistence Outreach and International Collaborations, participated in a panel on "Arts and Peacebuilding" sponsored by Art for Refugees in Transition.

The conference was the culmination of three years of work involving over a thousand civil society groups and individuals from all corners of the globe who have formed the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict. At the conference, the Global Partnership presented a Global Action Agenda for the Prevention of Violent Conflict to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The Global Conference was also a beginning, a moment for mobilization and agenda setting for a larger initiative. On the basis of the Global Action Agenda, the 800 conference participants began to develop the plans and methods for the implementation of their agenda and consolidate a truly global network of people building peace.