News

In this new issue, KOFF members examine the global rise of militarization and its implications for peacebuilding. They describe how the growing reliance on military approaches—along with the narratives that justify them—can undermine peacebuilding efforts and endanger human security.

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As decisions in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) sectors are too often made far from the communities they affect, the imperative for localization has grown. In this edition, KOFF member organizations and their partners showcase their efforts in this regard. Read about their success stories and remaining challenges.

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Switzerland is currently developing its first Security Policy Strategy. As part of the public consultation, the Swiss Platform for Peacebuilding (KOFF) has submitted a joint statement endorsed by 31 member organizations.

Read the full statement here.

Monday, 16 February 2026 | 11:00 – 15:45 CET | Bern

Switzerland is shaping its future security orientation, through the new Swiss Security Policy Strategy, led by the recently established State Secretariat for Security Policy (SEPOS). The strategy was published in December 2025, and a public consultation process is ongoing. Several KOFF member organizations have expressed interest in participating in this public consultation. This roundtable will convene the KOFF members for an exchange with Benno Zogg, Head of Strategy and Foresight at the State Secretariat for Security Policy SEPOS.

Thursday, 20 November 2025 | 13:15 – 15:15 CET | Bern

In November, our KOFF roundtable on the topic of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning in Complexity: How to Capture Contributions to Peace provided a space to exchange on how different organizations define and capture their intended contributions to complex social outcomes, including peace and social cohesion, the challenges faced in capturing such outcomes with traditional MEL approaches, and reflect on the usefulness of evolving MEL approaches with adaptive and complexity-informed tools.

Read the Synthesis

This edition highlights the resilience and creativity of KOFF members and their partners as they continue their work in authoritarian regions while safeguarding staff, partners, and project participants. Solutions highlighted include building and diversifying partnerships and funding streams, working from exile, using discreet communication and advocacy strategies, adopting robust security protocols, and more.

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Wednesday, 3 December 2025 | 13:45 – 16:00 CET, followed by an apéro | PROGR, Bern

How can human rights be protected and guaranteed for everyone in a context of rising authoritarianism and shrinking civil space? Join us for a KOFF roundtable discussion with Amanda Klasing (Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Amnesty International USA) and Michael Meier (Head a.i. Human Rights Section, Swiss Mission in Geneva, FDFA) to learn about and jointly discuss what avenues and strategies can be pursued to strengthen human rights in rising authoritarianism.

Find out more about the roundtable here. Read the synthesis here. 

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 | 14:30 – 16:00 CET, | online

In October, our KOFF roundtable on the topic of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for sustainable peace provided a space to learn about and jointly discuss how MHPSS elements should be incorporated in project management in fragile and conflict-affected contexts to strengthen the path towards sustainable peace. It also gave the opportunity to exchange on self-care strategies for peacebuilding professionals.

Read the Synthesis

On 31 October 2000, the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) was adopted by all 15 members. At the core of the landmark resolution that launched the Women, Peace and Security agenda lies the fundamental principle that “peace is not possible without the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and leadership of women and girls in all their diversity”.25 years later, the WPS agenda hangs by a thread and the Alliance for Women, Peace, and Security highlights the need to fulfil its promises.

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Wednesday, 24 September 2025 | 09:45 – 11:45 CET | PROGR, Bern

In September, our KOFF roundtable on the topic of institutional localization provided a space for a practice-based peer-to-peer exchange on the operationalization of localization agendas, including persisting challenges and promising practices, to learn from each other with the goal of rendering our collective peacebuilding practice more effective and inclusive, as well as ot contribute to its decolonization.

Read the synthesis