Hallmarks of Norway’s peace and reconciliation work
Article | Last updated: 27/06/2024 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway’s peace and reconciliation efforts are varied and depend on the conflict in question and local conditions. Still, there are certain characteristics of Norwegian peace diplomacy.
- The parties' ownership. Norway assists parties in their work to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, but the overall responsibility for the peace process always rests with the parties themselves. Sustainable peace depends on the parties displaying a willingness to find a political and inclusive solution.
- Readiness to speak with everyone. Norway talks to all parties in conflict who aim for political solutions. Involving all relevant actors provides important channels for communication, uncovers potential areas of progress that can be followed up, and gives us an increased understanding of underlying interests.
- Discretion. It is often risky for parties in conflict to talk together, especially before a formal negotiation process has been established. Norway often consults the conflict actors quietly, and formal negotiations will typically depend on a secret, exploratory phase in advance. It is important that the parties can trust that what is discussed in confidence will not leak.
- Long-term willingness to assist. Conflicts can last for years, and it can take time before the parties are ready to negotiate a political solution. Norway is clear about having a long-term perspective on our peace and reconciliation efforts. There has been broad agreement on this in the Norwegian Parliament. Several of the processes Norway is involved in have been pursued by successive governments. The Philippines, Colombia and Venezuela are good examples of that. The continuity strengthens Norway's reputation as a predictable and credible actor that conflict parties can trust.
- Impartial facilitation. Norway does not take sides when we are engaged as a facilitator in peace processes. However, that does not mean that we are a neutral facilitator. Norway's values stand firm, and we actively work to promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights, even where this meets opposition from conflict parties.
- Acceptance of taking risk. Norway accepts that the risk of not being successful in the field of conflict resolution is high. Sometimes unsuccessful attempts are needed for subsequent negotiations to be successful. That was the case in Colombia, where the parties succeeded in reaching a peace agreement in 2016 after learning from three failed attempts in the 1980s and 90s.
- Experience and knowledge. Norway has gained valuable experience and knowledge from peace processes through its long-term efforts for conflict resolution. The broad experience from process design and management is a useful resource at various stages in a negotiation process or when the parties get stuck. At the same time, all conflicts are unique, and knowledge of the particular context, history, diversity of actors and interests at play is crucial.
- Resources to assist. Norway makes both human and financial resources available for its peace and reconciliation work. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a Section for Peace and Reconciliation, with approximately 15 employees and NOK 420 million (2023) in grants. These resources make it possible for Norway to support both negotiation processes and resultant peace solutions with, for example, monitoring mechanisms and contributions to various aspects of the implementation of peace agreements.
- Networks and close collaboration with partners. Norway does not operate in a vacuum. Over time, Norway has built up a broad network of contacts, with whom Norwegian diplomats collaborate where they are engaged. These include other mediation actors, organizations that work on dialogue and conflict resolution, think tanks, researchers, civil society actors, the UN and regional organisations. Negotiation processes often start as an interaction between such institutions, diplomatic actors and parties in conflict. In many cases, Norwegian voluntary organizations have been the gateway into peace and reconciliation processes. Every year, Norway organizes the Oslo Forum, where peace mediators, politicians and experts gather to exchange experiences and build networks. The Oslo Forum is also an informal meeting place for conflict parties.
- Inclusion. Peace processes that involve the civilian population, especially women and victims, generate greater ownership and lead to better peace agreements. Norway works actively and purposefully to ensure that peace processes and dialogue initiatives are inclusive, with a particular priority on including women. On several occasions, Norway has contributed to ensuring that women, who would otherwise have been kept out, have had the opportunity to express their demands at the negotiating table and in the implementation phase of a peace agreement. The article Women's participation in peace processes provides an insight into Norway's work in this area. Victims' rights and transitional justice is another area Norway places emphasis on in its peace diplomacy.