A new collection of essays published by the British Academy offers insights into the role of local peace agreements in international peacebuilding.

Two decades after the UN called on all peace process actors to adopt a gender perspective, but amidst an unpreceded challenge to women’s rights globally under the Covid-19 pandemic, how did peace agreements provide for women, girls and gender in 2020, and what does this tell us about the trajectory of the women, peace and security agenda?

“Local Voices at a Crossroads” is an article series in which local actors of everyday peace share their insights into the fragilities and resilience of their societies in the face of conflict. Dr Juline Beaujouan examines the nature, roles and impact of local reconciliation committees in Syria.