5 Years and Counting

The upcoming fall will mark the 5th anniversary of the Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention that was founded in 2008 by the EastWest Institute and several of the world’s renowned peacemakers.

Since then, lots of changes have occurred both at the Secretariat as well as in terms of membership. Much has been accomplished by our members individually as well as by the Network as an organization. We should not be just satisfied with our achievements, but instead look at how we are going to develop the Network in the coming 5 years and beyond.

As part of improving our outreach to members and friends of the Network, and to mark our 5th anniversary, we have created a new logo and we are currently developing a new website to be launched in the spring of 2013. This new website will enable our members to better connect with one another on crucial issues of conflict prevention and to inform the larger public on their activities and initiatives.

As the Network emerges from its vibrant infancy, it constantly grows and we are continuously reaching out to current and former parliamentarians in regional, national or supranational parliaments in order to broaden the Network’s geographical spread.

In light of our anniversary reform, some structural changes were made; the Parliamentarians Network will have focus areas instead of working groups, which will be reflected in the structure of the new website. As a result, the position of Chair of the Network has been terminated. We would like to take this opportunity to convey our profound gratitude and admiration for the work Angelika Beer has done over the past years in fulfilling this position and we are extremely lucky to count her amongst our most active members.