Multilateral Dialogue Platform
There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to an effective multilateral dialogue platform. There are, however, elements worth noting that inform the effectiveness of a multilateral dialogue platform which include:
- Joint ownership by core parties is required to safeguard co-equal partnership and parity of esteem.
- The scope of activity of the MDP needs to be clearly mandated by the core parties to a conflict so that focus is placed on an agreed area of environmental concern.
- Official involvement of core parties, specifically at Track 1 and 1.5 diplomatic level is key.
- Diplomatic, as well as technical representation in leadership and activities, must be present.
- Capacity disparities between core parties need to be addressed through targeted capacity-building activities.
- It should exist as a resilient conduit where the international organization that is mandated to act in the area of a transboundary environmental issue and peace can propose and be directed by member states to pursue a variety of peacebuilding initiatives.
Peacebuilding demands the development of mechanisms that can use transboundary environmental issues for potentially wider systemic and eventual whole-of-government cooperation and agreement. There are many other organizations that work at a Track 2/community or academic level in bringing together individuals from conflict-affected areas. What differentiates MEDRC is the high-level state involvement and co-equal ownership in the process.
The MEDRC Conflict Resolution Model
