Date: Friday 20 September 1:00pm-2:30 pm EST

Venue: UNOPS, 10 Grand Central, 155 E 44th st, New York, NY 10017, 14th floor

In the past decade, the world has witnessed an escalation in war with devastating humanitarian and political consequences. Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Sahel are just few of the places that face escalating conflicts in 2024. At the same time, millions of ordinary people are mobilizing for peace and justice. Research shows that citizens' engagement through local as well as national movements can help prevent armed conflict, reduce conflict intensity, and increase the likelihood that conflicts will achieve sustainable and peaceful resolution. Yet movements are seldomly adequately integrated in peace-making efforts. Improving support to them may be key to better understand and reform a peace-making system in crisis. 

This event will bring together experts, government representatives, and social movement leaders to explore the role of grassroots movements in preventing violent conflict and fostering peace. The session will provide a platform for strong stories from movement leaders, reflections from government and UN representatives, and participant-driven discussions, all contributing to a series of events leading to the second Copenhagen People Power Conference in 2025.

In partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Humanity United, Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, USAID, UNOPS, PBSO, DPP and OHCHR.

To register, please see the registration form at the bottom of this page. Due to limited space, we kindly request that all participants register in advance to secure their seat. Attendance will be confirmed two days prior to the event. Thank you for your understanding.

To join online, please access this Zoom link 

SPEAKERS

• ROSARIE TUCCI // Deputy Assistant Administrator USAID's Bureau of Conflict, Prevention, and Stabilization 
• BIRGITTE MARKUSSEN // Director Humanitarian Affairs, Civil Society and Engagement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
• KELLY McAULAY // Peace and Security Cluster Project Management Advisor Team Lead of Risk, Quality and Partnerships, UN office for Project Services
• ROSELYN AKOMBE // Chief, Peacebuilding Strategy and Partnerships Branch, UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Peacebuilding Support Office
• MOVEMENT REPRESENTATIVE FROM SUDAN // TBC
• MA HNIN // A New Burma, Myanmar 
• BRYAN SIMS // Director Peacebuilding and Partnerships, Humanity United 
• KIZITO BYENKYA // Director of Campaigns, Open Society Foundations 
• ALEX MOOREHEAD, Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section, OHCHR

MODERATOR 

• TIM WHYTE // Secretary General, ActionAid Denmark