Our History

1997Appeal of the Nobel Peace Laureates for the Children of the World, signed by every living Nobel Peace Laureate, presented to the United Nations

“For the Children of the World”

French Painting by Lucia Marti

1999UN General Assembly declares 2000 will be "International Year for the Culture of Peace." UNESCO begins planning for the "Decade for a Culture of Non-Violence" to follow from 2001-2010.

Peace Is in Our Hands

2000With the support of five Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, our co-founders launch the Appeal of the Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation (the "Peace Appeal") to promote the ideals of the original Appeal and the UN Decade.

Manifesto 2000

2002As negotiations to end the Sri Lanka Civil War collapse, the Peace Appeal is invited to advise local partners in Sri Lanka.

One Text Initiative

The One Text Initiative is born, a confidential and inclusive high level dialogue process aiming to restart and support official negotiations.

2004Asian Tsunami hits Sri Lanka, killing 30,000 people and deepening divisions as conflict emerges over humanitarian aid.

Asian Tsunami hits Sri Lanka

2004Nepalese delegation visits Sri Lanka's One Text Initiative, asks for assistance to adapt and create new institutional mechainsms for dialogue to assist their country's journey to peace.

Nepalese delegation visits Sri Lanka’s One Text Initiative

2005Nepal Transition to Peace Initiative (NTTP) formed with High Level Peace Committee mandate.

Nepal Transition to Peace Initiative (NTTP)

NTTP is a new national structure for peace and dialogue – whose founding technical partners are the Peace Appeal and the Academy for Educational Development.

21 Nov 2006Nepal's Breakthrough: the Comprehensive Peace Accord

Nepal’s Breakthrough: the Comprehensive Peace Accord

8 Dec 2006Arms Management Agreement signed in Nepal, removing a significant stumbling block to the eventual dembilization of Maoist forces and a major hindrance to further progress on peace.

Arms Management

21 May 2008Lebanese politcal crisis eased with signing of Doha Agreement, mandating the resumption of a national dialogue

Doha Accord

1 Sep 2008The Peace Appeal begins conversations with stakeholders in Lebanon in conjunction with our partners at Berghof Peace Support.

The Peace Appeal begins conversations with stakeholders in Lebanon in conjunction with our partners at Berghof Peace Support.

Jan 2009End of Sri Lanka Civil War, comes with an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 deaths, a figure denied by the government, which restricts access to the site by international observers.

Sri Lanka Civil War Ends.

End of Sri Lanka Civil War, comes with an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 deaths, a figure denied by the government, which restricts access to the site by international observers.

Mar 2009Peace Appeal's co-founder is seconded to UNDP to advise Lebanon's President's office on national dialogue strategy.

Peace Appeal’s co-founder is seconded to UNDP to advise Lebanon’s President’s office on national dialogue strategy.

2009Launch of the Lebanese Common Space Initiative for Shared Knowledge and Consensus Building, an inclusive multi-stakeholder space for dialogue among Lebanon's multiple confessions.

Common Space Initiative

29 Nov 2009Peace Appeal joins amicus brief in Holder vs. Humanitarian Law Project, a major case before the US Supreme Court involving the legality of peace efforts in conflict where proscribed groups are parties to the conflict.

Holder versus Humanitarian Law Project

11 Jan 2010Release of Sri Lankan journalist (and former One Text stakeholder) JS Tissnayagam from jail. He is allowed to come to the US.

Release of Sri Lankan journalist (and former One Text stakeholder) JS Tissnayagam from jail. He is allowed to come to the US.

7/1/2010Peace Appeal joins with the Charity and Security Network to form the Working Group on Peacebuilding, to advocate for a more favorable legal environment for peacebuilding groups.

Charity and Security Network

Dec 2010Mohammed Bouazizi, a 26 year old street vendor lights himself on fire to protest his treatment by local officials, launching Tunisia's "Jasmine Revolution" and the Arab Uprisings, also known as the Arab Spring.

Mohammed Bouazizi, a 26 year old street vendor lights himself on fire to protest his treatment by local officials, launching Tunisia’s “Jasmine Revolution” and the Arab Uprisings, also known as the Arab Spring.

1 Mar 2011Syrian Civil War begins

Syrian Civil War begins

Mar 2012Peace Appeal begins initial work with Myanmar's ethnic armed groups and political wings, aiding their review of bilateral casefire agreements and planning for future negotiations.

Hannes working at PI

Oct 2012Final integration of armies in Nepal, marking a significant step in the country's transition process.

Final integration of armies in Nepal, marking a significant step in the country’s transition process.

29 Jan 2013Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont calls for War Crimes investigation of the Sri Lankan government.

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont calls for War Crimes investigation of the Sri Lankan government.

2014First International Conference on National Dialogues and Mediation Processes held in Helsinki, Finland.

First International Conference on National Dialogues and Mediation Processes

Apr 2014Publication of ACCORD Issue 25 on "Legitimacy and Peace Processes: from Coercion to Consent," including Peace Appeal's Co-Founder and Co-Director Hannes Siebert's framing essay, "National Dialogue and Legitimate Change."

ACCORD Issue 25

Apr 2014At their invitation, the Peace Appeal begins initial consultations with stakeholders in Cyprus.

At their invitation, the Peace Appeal begins initial consultations with stakeholders in Cyprus.

Apr 2014Formal launch of the Pyidaungsu Institute, a research institute to support stakeholders to Myanmar's peace process. The institute is partially inspired by exchanges between Burmese stakeholders and their Lebanese counterparts at the Common Space Initiative.

Pyidaungsu Institute

2015Peace Appeal launches a multi-year collaboration with Lebanese and Syrian partners to provide psycho-social support, educational programming and other aid to refugee children and their families.

Syrian refugees

12 Mar 2015Cyprus Dialogue Forum formally launched, bringing together over 90 organizations from the island nation's two communities representing political parties, trade unions, business and professional associations and civil society.

Cyprus Dialogue Forum

Nov 2015Second Conference on Non-Formal Dialogue Processes and National Dialogues held in Helsinki, Finland.

Second Conference on Non-Formal Dialogue Processes and National Dialogues held in Helsinki, Finland.

Aug 2016First session of Myanmar's "Union Peace Conference - 21rst Century Panglong" is held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. The conference brings 18 of Myanmar's ethnic insurgent groups, along with the Burmese government, led by Aug Sang Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, and the Burmese military. The conference is planned as the first of many gatherings to work towards a permanent ceasefire and peace agreement.

“Union Peace Conference – 21rst Century Panglong” – Naypyidaw, Myanmar

Getty Images

2017Launch of our partnership with the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, one of Zimbabwe's oldest and most respected church associations, which seeks to engage citizens across all divides to construct and implement a new vision for their country.

Zimbabwe Council of Churches

Oct 2017The United States Institute of Peace publishes co-director, Derek Brown's "Nonformal Dialogues in National Peacemaking - Complementary Approaches"

“Nonformal Dialogues in National Peacemaking – Complementary Approaches”

Report cover

Nov 2017Robert Mugabe is deposed as president of Zimbabwe. He ultimately submits his resignation and First Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in as president.

Robert Mugabe is deposed as president of Zimbabwe. He ultimately submits his resignation and First Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in as president.

30 Jun 2018Zimbabwe's first national elections post-Mugabe. The Peace Appeal joins and supports election monitoring efforts of our partners, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. Election irregularities are noted by many domestic and international observers. Emmerson Mnangagwa is elected president, though the results are contested by the opposition.

Zimbabwe’s first national elections post-Mugabe.

1 Oct 2018In collaboration with UNHCR, the University of Virgnia's Humanitarian Collaborative, religious institutions and civic groups, the Peace Appeal launches and educational and advocacy initiative titled (W)HERE TO STAY?! focusing on the impact of displacement on the lives of citizens in Virginia and around the globe.

(W)HERE TO STAY?!

Dec 2019Launch of the National Convergence Platform in Harare, Zimbabwe. The NCP is a coalition of civil society and church.

OUR HISTORY