Canada supports promotion of international peace and conflict resolution

The initiatives announced today by the Government of Canada through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) amount to approximately $22.6 million.

Note: For security reasons, some NGO partners cannot be publicly named.

Supporting mediation and peacebuilding in the Middle East
Funding announced: $3.6 million
Time frame: 2016 to 2019

Canada is providing $3.6 million to mediation efforts supporting peace in Syria, which includes initiatives that will bolster women’s participation in the UN-led negotiations. Canada’s contribution includes expert legal advice and capacity building, as well as supporting the training of woman negotiators to increase women’s participation in conflict-resolution efforts.

Contributing to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine
Funding announced: $7.4 million
Time frame: 2016 to 2019

Canada is working with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the international community, the Government of Ukraine and other partners to de-escalate tensions in eastern Ukraine, to negotiate and monitor ceasefire implementation and to foster dialogue and cooperation in conflict-affected regions of the country. This work includes efforts to build trust and confidence while promoting dialogue between conflict-affected communities and the government, and to bring together senior stakeholders and decision makers at the international, national and local levels to address issues of common concern. Through this support, Canada is helping to facilitate discussions on security, political arrangements, economic relations, environmental risks and reconciliation to find a lasting and sustainable resolution to the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Promoting peace in South Sudan
Funding announced: $5.36 million
Time frame: 2017 to 2019

Through this contribution, Canada is providing additional support to the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which brings together representatives of the government, the opposition and the international community to work toward peace in South Sudan.  

Working with several partners, Canada is also helping local leaders, activists, civil society organizations, women’s groups and youth in conflict-affected areas to develop new skills in peacebuilding and is providing them with the opportunity to design and deliver peace and mediation initiatives to tackle conflict and violence in their home communities.

Supporting dialogue in Cyprus
Funding announced: $475,000
Time frame: 2016 to 2018

Through this contribution, Canada is supporting the efforts, led by the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities under the auspices of the United Nations,  to secure a lasting peace in Cyprus. This project will enable the UN to access and deploy a range of technical experts to support  senior UN, Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot negotiators and technical committees in areas key to achieving peace, such as civic engagement, governance and power sharing, property reinstatement and compensation, economic development, territory and security.

Contributing to a durable peace in the Philippines
Funding announced: $1.3 million
Time frame: 2016 to 2019

Canada is supporting the implementation of peace agreements signed between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as well as the Moro National Liberation Front. As part of this support, Canada has partnered with UNICEF to tackle the use and recruitment of child soldiers in the Philippines and to help end this practice. Specifically, the project will help the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to implement their action plan on children previously associated with armed groups in conflict-affected communities to recover from the stress of being exposed to violence both as witnesses and perpetrators. It will also help prevent children who formerly associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front from re-engagement in violence and enable them to take up positive, peaceful and non-military roles within their communities. 

Advancing the implementation of peace and reconciliation in Mali
Funding announced: $4 million
Time frame: 2016 to 2019

This contribution, delivered in partnership with the UN, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the Government of Mali and other partners, supports efforts to advance the implementation of the peace and reconciliation process in Mali.

Canada’s contribution includes $2 million for the MINUSMA Trust Fund, to support the implementation of the peace and reconciliation agreement, the restoration of state authority in the north of Mali, the engagement of conflict-affected communities in the peace process, improving the protection of civilians and contributing to the security of north and central Mali.

This also includes a $1.3-million contribution to International Alert to support conflict transformation and good governance through trust and confidence-building activities, including the promotion of peaceful dialogue and mutual accountability between conflict-affected communities, Malian security forces and local authorities. This work will help rebuild public confidence in Malian security and support the restoration of state authority and the rule of law.

Contributing to peace in the Americas
Funding announced: $485,000
Time frame: 2016 to 2018

In Colombia and Venezuela, Canada is supporting outreach and engagement aimed at fostering constructive dialogue among key stakeholders and building support for the peaceful resolution of conflict. This work includes support for targeted advocacy and providing specialist guidance for stakeholders and technical expertise to support negotiations.

In Colombia, this initiative will strengthen the ability of relevant stakeholders to implement peace accords. In Venezuela, this work is helping key stakeholders in their efforts to find a negotiated solution to the ongoing political, economic, social and security crises.