Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Sustainable Peace: Environmental Peacebuilding Training Ends

7. 10. 2024 | POTC, PR

We are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the »Law, Policy and Science in Environmental Peacebuilding Training« co-organised with the Geneva Water Hub and delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia. The event, held from September 30 to October 4 at Jable Castle, gathered diverse professionals from various peace-related fields to explore the vital intersection between the environment and peacebuilding.

Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.

Throughout the training, participants engaged in dynamic discussions and gained practical insights into the role of environmental factors in preventing conflicts and promoting sustainable peace. The program focused on key topics, including environmental governance, natural resource management in conflict-affected areas, and the importance of integrating environmental considerations into peace processes.

The training also aligned with Slovenia’s priorities in the United Nations Security Council, where the country emphasises the importance of environmental issues in global peace and security efforts. By building capacity in environmental peacebuilding, this initiative strengthens the ability of stakeholders to navigate the complexities of environmental challenges in fragile contexts, contributing to long-term peace.

We would like to thank all the participants and partners for making this training a success and above all the excellent speakers: Dr. Mara Tignino of the Geneva Water Hub, Ambassador at Large for Water Diplomacy Tanja Miškova, Faculty of Law Professor and Member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee Vasilka Sancin, Director of International Programs at the Environmental Law Institute Carl Bruch, Senior Policy Adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Stephen Robinson, Conflict Sensitivity Lead at the PeaceNexus Foundation Heloise Heyer, Former President of the Republic of Slovenia and Chair of the Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace Professor Danilo Türk, and Dr Caroline Pellaton and Dr Tadesse Kebebew of the Geneva Water Hub. Their contributions were instrumental in fostering an enriching learning environment and advancing the agenda of environmental peacebuilding.

We are confident that this training will help mainstream environmental issues in the peacebuilding arena, and we look forward to future collaboration with our partners to continue advancing this important work.

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TWO YEARS ON

7. 2. 2024 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Centre for European Perspective cordially invites you to a roundtable discussion

TWO YEARS ON

Friday, 16 February 2024, 09:30 – 14:00 CET

As the second year since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine comes to a close and the discussions on continued support for Ukraine intensify, it is necessary to highlight the unwavering determination of the Ukrainian people to continue with inclusive reforms, democratization and modernization, incl. an active approach in the state-led European integration processes.

Despite the still ongoing conflict, the recovery and rebuilding processes have already begun with many major achievements, but the post-war recovery process for Ukraine also means achieving democratic security – and here is where the local level comes in. Local and regional authorities are an important factor in the recovery process and a key guiding force for the reconstruction process. Slovenia and many other EU countries have recognized the role of local communities and are already transitioning from offering humanitarian and material aid to development projects. Capable and strong local communities will be able to accomplish the objectives of the decentralization reform and aid the transformation of Ukraine.

Another key stakeholder in the post-conflict recovery process is youth. Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, youth has been on Ukrainian frontlines, both literally and figuratively, but they will need to play an integral part in the post-war reconstruction, helping to shape important initiatives and continue the democratization process.

Programme of the event

09:10 – 09:30 Arrivals

09:30 – 10:45 High-level roundtable

Welcome speech by Ms Nina Čepon, Executive Director, Centre for European Perspective

Opening address by H. E Mrs Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

Speakers:

- Mrs Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister, Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine
- Dr Damir Črnčec, State Secretary, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia
- H. E. Mr Andrii Taran, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia
- H. E. Mrs Jamie L. Harpootlian, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia
- Dr Klemen Grošelj, Member of the European Parliament for Slovenia

Moderator: Ms Nataša Briški, M.Sc., TV presenter, editor and journalist.

10:45 – 11:30 Coffee break

11:30 – 12:00 »Fireside Chat« / One-on-one with Mayor of a Ukrainian Municipality

Mr Iaroslav Tsvirkun, Mayor, Pereschepyne hromada, Ukraine

Moderated by Ms Nataša Briški, M.Sc., TV presenter, editor and journalist

12:00 – 13:00 Informal reception / Lunch buffet

13:10 – 14:00 About Ukraine from Ukraine’s future – the perspective of Ukrainian youth

Moderated by Mr Jernej Grahor, Project Manager, Centre for European Perspective

Register HERE.

Following the high-level roundtable discussion and fireside chat, you are kindly invited to join us at the lunch buffet at Jable Castle, which will be followed by a discussion with Ukrainian youth.

The event is supported by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, alongside the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’, financed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia.