Can We Build It? A Peacebuilding Narrative Infrastructure for Tomorrow

The peacebuilding field has not been effective in its collective messaging, struggling to successfully communicate what peacebuilding and conflict prevention are and why they matter to U.S. interests. Yet, violent conflict and fragility are some of the most complex, urgent challenges facing the international community. So how can we make everyone care about peacebuilding—and want to see more of it?

This fireside chat will explore what it means—and what it will take—to develop a peacebuilding narrative infrastructure that makes the case for peacebuilding as a first-order priority that is centered in all programs, policies, laws, and resources backed by a strong public constituency. Speakers will dive into how all sectors can come together to advance an evidence-based narrative that moves peacebuilding to a nonpartisan and common-sense priority, in turn creating shifts in policies, practices, and norms that bring funding, public support, and new champions for peacebuilding. The discussion will build off of previous peace framing and narratives research done by the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP)—the leading network of 225+ organizations working in 181 countries to prevent violent conflict and build sustainable peace—as well as gather thoughts from the diverse sectors in attendance, to map out how financial institutions, tech companies, the broader private sector, and philanthropy can help build this narrative infrastructure that brings political, economic, and social prosperity to everyone.