Video: Building confidence and fostering societal dialogue

Inside one of the 4 disputed enclaves Azerbaijan is demanding to be handed over from Armenian control on April 7, 2024, in Azatamut, Tavush, Armenia. picture alliance / Middle East Images | Anthony Pizzoferrato

Learn about our event on how confidence building and dialogue can help Armenia and Azerbaijan transition from conflict to peaceful coexistence.

The decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has deeply impacted both countries. Thousands of lives have been lost, many were displaced, and people carry deep hostilities against “the other side”. While there have been intermittent negotiations and efforts to build peace facilitated by international mediators, these processes have struggled to address the deeply rooted mistrust between the populations of both countries.

Building confidence and enabling dialogue between and within Armenia and Azerbaijan is essential to address historical grievances, re-build trust, and foster reconciliation. In the last three decades, civil society organisations in both countries have increased their efforts to address these issues through dialogue at both the political and societal levels. However, the sustainability of these initiatives remains fragile. Without comprehensive confidence-building measures and deeper societal engagement, peace efforts risk being short-lived or limited to elite-level agreements in the future.

At our event, international experts showed how confidence-building efforts and inter- and intra-societal dialogues can bridge divides, cultivate a shared understanding, and support the region’s transition from a state of conflict to one of peaceful coexistence. During the event, we discussed how bottom-up approaches can help Armenians and Azerbaijanis overcome past trauma, establish trust, and create the conditions necessary for long-term peace.

Building confidence and fostering societal dialogue

Insights from Armenia and Azerbaijan

6 November 2024

18:30 – 20:00 CET (ics, ical)

This hybrid event was held in English. It took place online via Zoom and at the Berghof Foundation, Lindenstrasse 34, 10969 Berlin.

Speakers:

• Dr. Leila Alieva, Associate of REES, Oxford School for Global and Area Studies
• Dr. Mikayel Zolyan, independent scholar and Associate Professor at Yerevan State Linguistic University
• Dr. Philip Ghamaghelyan, Managing Editor at the Journal of Conflict Transformation, Caucasus Edition
• Shujaat Ahmadzada, Program Assistant, Eurasia Partnership Foundation

Moderated by Janel B. Galvanek, Head of Department, Regional Peace Support, Berghof Foundation.

The in-person event was followed by refreshments and a networking opportunity.

This event was co-organised by the Berghof Foundation, ZOIS, and KonKoop.

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Florian Lüdtke
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