This will be the first event of the PeaceTalks in Addis Ababa and is a part of the Geneva Peace Week meets Addis Ababa initiative!

The PeaceTalks is a global initiative that uses storytelling as a tool to expand the space for dialogue about building peace and resolving conflict beyond the realm of politics. It builds on the idea that everyone can play a part in building peace with a focus on personal storytelling to encourage the sharing of ideas, practical solutions, and inspiring action.

The Peace Talks were co-founded by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Interpeace with the support of the Swiss Government The Peace Talks started in 2013 in Switzerland with the Geneva Peace Talks held on the International Day of Peace. They have since travelled the world, powered by Interpeace, with more than 20 editions in 8 countries and over 200 speakers from 60 nationalities and from diverse sectors of society. Previous editions of PeaceTalks in Africa have been held in Abidjan, Nairobi and youth editions in Rwanda and Bujumbura.

The Addis Ababa PeaceTalks are co-organized by Interpeace, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP), Amani Africa, and the Swiss Embassy in Ethiopia. This event will take place on Tuesday, April 8, in Addis Ababa at the Hyatt hotel. It will be recorded and made available on www.peacetalks.net and various social media platforms.

The Addis Ababa Peace Talks will showcase the stories of 4 inspiring individuals.

The Peace Talks initiative started in Switzerland at the Geneva PeaceTalks in 2013. Over the past ten years, it has since expanded globally and more than 20 editions have been held in more than 8 countries featuring 200+ speakers from over 50 countries.

The core objectives of the PeaceTalks are:

• DEMONSTRATE that peaceful solutions to conflict exist all over the world.
• SHOWCASE and AMPLIFY inspiring stories and what is working to build peace.
• INSPIRE ACTION and EDUCATE on the role that we each play in promoting peace.

Storytelling for Peace

Stories and their telling can create change. The best ones influence our beliefs, inspire us to make an impact, and illuminate what it means to be human. Everyone has a story to tell through which we can learn.

Storytelling is a powerful educational and peacebuilding tool. Through the telling of personal stories, topics usually addressed from a general angle in the news, come to life, taking human form. Through stories we see the individual instead of the abstract mass. This fosters empathy, understanding and dialogue

 IF…we expand the space for dialogue about peace beyond technical peacebuilding through storytelling, focusing on personal stories and what is working;

THEN…a greater audience of people will become more aware of their potential individual roles and contributions in building peace, and that their actions can have a meaningful and positive impact in sustaining peace;

BECAUSE…they will feel inspired, empowered, and encouraged to support relevant initiatives where they work or to take personal action of their own

Speakers

Moderators