Peacebuilding Lab

ongoing

The Peacebuilding Lab project emerges from the pressing need to tackle persistent issues related to peace, understanding, and social cohesion within and between communities across the South-Mediterranean region and Europe. The South-Mediterranean area, which has experienced significant conflicts such as the Syrian civil war, ongoing Israeli Palestinian tensions, and political instability in countries like Libya and Egypt, is marked by a rich mosaic of cultures and histories. Yet, it is also a landscape where historical conflicts have deeply rooted tensions among diverse groups. Jordan and Lebanon, participant countries in the project and key countries in the South-Mediterranean belt, face their own sets of challenges, bringing additional layers of context. For instance, Jordan, recognized for its stability amidst regional upheaval, and Lebanon, currently facing severe political and economic crises, both highlight the diverse conditions and needs within the region. Indeed, including Israel and Palestine in the dialogue is crucial, given its central role in one of the most protracted conflicts in the region—the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Adding complexity to this environment are Cyprus and Italy, two countries also pivotal to the Mediterranean dialogue but facing their own unique challenges. Cyprus, with its long-standing division between the north and south, represents a critical case of geopolitical and ethnic discord that echoes the broader regional complexities of reconciling cultural and national identities. Italy, on the other hand, while not experiencing the same level of conflict, deals with significant migration issues that affect social cohesion and necessitate effective integration strategies. The situation in Italy provides a broader context of how Mediterranean EU countries are managing external pressures that indirectly contribute to regional instability.