On 8 October the third edition of the UCLG Municipal Peace Talks took place in The Hague. Together with the City of The Hague, VNG organized the event “Peace Begins Here: Local Solutions for Conflict”. This event brought together various leaders and organizations, based in The Hague and around the world, working on local-level peacebuilding and promoting dialogue, and included exchanges with municipal policymakers, leaders, and practitioners. The event was held at the World Forum in The Hague on Tuesday 8 October, as part of the programme of the Unitied Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Council.
The Hague Charter on Municipal Peace
This Charter is a working document elaborated to inform the discussions that will take place during the event “Peace begins here: local solutions for conflict”, organized by City of The Hague and the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) during the UCLG World Council 2024 under the title “A New Peace Agenda for Future Generations”. It has been elaborated by experts taking into account the results of a survey disseminated among local governments, organisations and experts from all over the world during the month of September 2024. Please find the Charter here.
Acknowledging the growing importance of cities and territories in fostering peace, this Charter on Municipal Peace builds on the principles from key international frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, the New Urban Agenda, and the United Nations Future Summit, the UCLG Peace Prize, and forums like the Conference of City Diplomacy (2008, The Hague) and the Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace.
As cities and territories are central to addressing challenges such as violence, inequality, and polarization, this Charter outlines an inspiring framework for municipal governments to lead peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and the promotion of inclusive societies.
National issues, local solutions
The role of local governments worldwide in preventing and resolving conflicts remains underexposed, underestimated, and unknown. While international attention for conflict situations is increasing, little attention is given to the local context of such conflicts. Focus is put on national or international measures needed to prevent and resolve conflicts, while local governments are usually closest to the roots of the conflict and deal with the consequences directly and on a daily basis. Conflicts are often addressed at the national level, yet solutions are frequently found locally.
Interactive sessions
In interactive thematic sessions, we delved into the prevention of radicalization and polarization, urban violence, disputes between communities, and migration. Topics that are addressed more effectively at local rather than national level. They encompass elements of local peacebuilding, reflecting the diverse challenges faced by local governments. Each session presented varied and compelling examples of how these issues can be effectively addressed at the local level. The outcomes of these discussions were presented at the end in a concluding plenary session and compiled into a comprehensive outcome document, which will serve as a valuable resource, capturing insights and recommendations that can inform future local peacebuilding efforts.
UCLG World Council
From October 8 to 10, Mayor Jan van Zanen welcomed mayors from around the word in The Hague for the UCLG World Council. The World Council is the main policy-making body of UCLG, the largest organization of local governments and associations of municipalities, and consists of 350 elected local politicians.
Under the theme, “A New Peace Agenda for Future Generations”, the World Council was organized in the framework of the celebrations that The Hague is having this year on the occasion of its 125th anniversary as International City of Peace and Justice, which coincided with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of UCLG in its current shape.
In October, Mayor Van Zanen assumed the rotating presidency from Mayor Altay of Konya, Turkey. As Mayor Van Zanen becomes President, the third edition of the UCLG Municipal Peace Talks were held during the World Council.
