On 11 October 2025, the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) held a meeting in Ankara, titled ‘The Role of Civil Society in Peacebuilding’. The event brought together representatives from civil society, academia, political parties and conflict resolution experts from across the political spectrum.
The meeting focused on the positive role that civil society can play in preventing polarisation, strengthening dialogue and promoting sustainable peace in Turkey. Participants reflected on how inclusive participation and representation can build public trust and contribute to long-term reconciliation.
The programme featured a series of presentations and discussions exploring civil society’s contributions to peace processes from international and comparative perspectives. Opening remarks were delivered by Ireland’s Ambassador to Turkey, HE Clare Brosnan. The first session, ‘The Role of Civil Society in Peace Processes: An International Perspective’, was delivered by Andy Carl, a civil society and peacebuilding expert. He highlighted the mechanisms through which civic actors can support dialogue, confidence-building and reconciliation.
This was followed by a presentation by Emma DeSouza, a journalist and civil society activist from Northern Ireland, titled ‘The Role of Civil Society in the Irish Experience’. Drawing on the Northern Irish peace process, Ms DeSouza reflected on the importance of civic engagement, cross-community collaboration and sustained dialogue in transforming conflict dynamics.
Subsequent sessions, titled ‘Lessons Learned from International Experiences’ and ‘Opportunities and Challenges for the Process’, invited participants to exchange views on how the Turkish context could draw inspiration from societies that have transitioned from conflict to peace. Themes such as trust-building, inclusivity, participatory mechanisms and the need for continued dialogue between the state and society were emphasised throughout the discussions.
The meeting concluded with reflections on how Turkey’s ongoing process could benefit from drawing comparisons, emphasising that the meaningful participation of political and social actors is essential for achieving sustainable, democratic peace.