Photos: Heli Pekkonen
The National Dialogues Conference is an important initiative of Finland’s mediation efforts which emphasise inclusiveness, local ownership and the role of women, youth, religious peacemakers as well as the civil society in peace processes.
The Fourth Conference on National Dialogues and non-formal dialogue processes on 11–12 June 2019 again brought together different stakeholders working on national dialogues to share knowledge and lessons, and to promote peer learning to improve the practice of national dialogues.
The first main theme this year centered on the ecosystem of national dialogues i.e. environment and actors around national dialogues and how to acknowledge this complex system in planning and implementation of peace processes. The second theme discussed the role of new technologies in helping to understand the complex ecosystem and facilitating the collaboration and knowledge sharing between different actors and tracks.
The conference programme and background material for the conference can be found from resources. The conference report summarising the key findings of the event will also be published there.
Pictures from the first conference day can be found at: https://felm.org/national-dialogues-conference-11-6-2019/.
Pictures from the second conference day are to be found at: https://felm.org/national-dialogues-conference-12-6-2019/.
The Conference was by invitation only.
TUESDAY, 11 JUNE 2019
8:30–9:00 Registration
9:00–09:40 Opening and Welcoming Remarks
Hall 15, Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
09:45–10:45 High-level discussion: Transforming conflicts in a complex world
Hall 15, Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
10:45–11:15 Coffee & Tea Break
11:15—11:35 Addressing complexity in national dialogue processes
Hall 15, Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
11:40—12:45 Moderated Panel Discussion
12:45–13:45 Lunch
A group photo will be taken prior to lunch.
13:45–15:30 Parallel thematic sessions 1
a) Inside or outside of the room — and does it matter? Re-thinking strategies and spaces for youth to mobilise for peace
Room: 13
b) National Dialogue – A role in bridging Libya’s complex transition?
Hall: 15 (Plenary), Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
c) National Dialogues in Kenya as a contribution to violence prevention and sustaining peace
Room: 3
15:30–16:00 Coffee & Tea Break
16:00–17:45 Parallel thematic sessions 2
a) What should a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Somalia look like?
Room: 23
b) Land rights in peace negotiations: The key to sustainable peace and natural resources management
Room: 3
c) Where is Gender in Dialogue Facilitation?
Hall 15 (Plenary), Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
18:15–20:00 Cocktail Reception
Hosted by Ms Elina Kalkku, Under-Secretary of State (Development Policy), Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Address by Mr Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Location: House of the Estates
WEDNESDAY, 12 JUNE 2019
8:30–8:40 Opening of the Second Conference Day
Hall 15, Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
8:40–10:15 Peacetech—Does it live up to the hype?
Hall 15, Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
8:40—9:00 High-level keynote
9:00—10:15 Moderated Panel Discussion
10:15–10:45 Coffee & Tea Break
10:45–12:30 Parallel thematic sessions 3
a) National Dialogue limits in the age of digital media
Room: 17
b) Reconciliation, psychosocial support and dialogue
Room: 3
c) The challenge of addressing diverse demands for autonomy and self-governance in federalism negotiations
Room: 23
12:30—13:45 Lunch
13:45–15:30 Parallel thematic sessions 4
a) Peacetech in practice: How digital tools support the work of peace actors
Room: 17
b) The role of regional organisations in fostering inclusive, cross-border dialogue – The case of the Lake Chad Basin
Room: 3
c) The Yemeni NDC: Moving forward after four years of conflict and regional involvement
Hall: 15 (Plenary), Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
15:30–16:00 Coffee & Tea Break
16:00–17:00 Closing discussion: The future of National Dialogues and mediation
Hall 15, Interpretation: simultaneous (Arabic/English)
17:00–17:15 Closing Remarks
A conference report has been produced to capture the discussions and to present the key findings and conclusions in the conference. A range of thematic and case-based background documents are produced for each National Dialogue Conference. This material serves each particular conference, but also provides to wider learning and knowledge production around the theme.
Programme
Conference Concept
List of Participants
Plenary Concepts
Parallel Session Concepts
Background Papers
Conference Presentations
Webcasts of the Conference Plenaries
The Conference will be held within walking distance of the city centre and we can recommend a variety of options suitable for participants:
Hotel Scandic Grand Marina Katajanokanlaituri 7, 00160 Helsinki
Hotel Haven Unioninkatu 17, 00130 Helsinki
Hotelli Seurahuone Kaivokatu 12, 00100 Helsinki
Hotel Kämp Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki
Hotelli Cumulus City Kaisaniemi Kaisaniemenkatu 7, 00100 Helsinki
Hotel Fabian Fabianinkatu 7, 00130 Helsinki
Hotel Lilla Roberts Pieni Roobertinkatu 1-3, 00130 Helsinki
Sokos Hotel Helsinki Kluuvikatu 8, 00100 Helsinki
Helsinki International Airport is located 19 km north of the city centre. There is a convenient public train link as well as a bus connection running continuously from the airport to the city centre. A taxi to the city centre costs approximately 40-50 euros. Duration of travel with all aforementioned options varies between 25-30 minutes to central Helsinki.
Tickets for public transport, including trams, buses and the metro, can be purchased at ticket machines, or the driver (buses and trams only). Day tickets are available for unlimited use on public transportation for 1–7 days. They can be purchased at ticket machines, from the Tourist Information office or at the Helsinki City Transport service point at the Central Railway Station. Tram number 2 is regarded as the sightseeing tram in Helsinki, a way to travel around among the locals.
The centre of Helsinki is easily accessible by foot. Taxi stands are conveniently located throughout the centre and can be ordered either by your hotel lobby or directly by calling for example the following numbers (charges apply):
Taksi Helsinki – Tel. +358 (0)100 0700
Lähitaksi – Tel. +358 (0)100 7300
Kovanen – Tel. +358 (0) 200 6060
If you need a Schengen visa to enter European Union and Finland, please contact the Conference secretariat at johanna.korhonen@felm.org as soon as possible. The secretariat provides you with an invitation letter that should be presented in the application process.
For international travel insurance, please contact the Conference secretariat at johanna.korhonen@felm.org as soon as possible.
Helsinki is located in GMT+2.
The average daily temperature in the beginning of June stays around 14°C. Warmer days will see a beautiful 19°C high while nights can cool down to about 9°C as the lower. There is typically rain on 17 days throughout the month and therefore it is advisable to come prepared for some rain as well as cool temperatures.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute’s online weather forecasts for Helsinki can be found here:
http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/helsinki
Finland is part of the Eurozone. Restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.
Wireless internet access is available at the Conference venue – The House of the Estates – and the password will be displayed on-site. Helsinki hotels generally provide Wi-Fi to guests.
Electricity is supplied in Finland at the European norms of 230V (with a frequency of 50 Hertz). As in most European countries (except the UK), electrical plugs in Finland need two round pins. They can be the ungrounded Europlug Type C or the grounded Schukoplug Type E/F.
The emergency number is 112. This number can be reached on all phones, foreign and national.