The goal of peace talks is to bring conflicting parties to the table and negotiate an end to hostilities. They can take a variety of forms depending on the nature and complexity of the conflict. They may result in a formal international treaty that includes all parties and all issues, in the form of a comprehensive settlement or they may be a series of separate agreements between the different groups or factions.
The process of peace talks may include a variety of preparatory activities such as informal expert groups and capacity building exercises. Civil society actors have a wealth of subject matter expertise, networks and mediation skills that can enhance preparations for as well as support negotiations themselves. The presence of a high number of supportive state representatives can also amplify the financial, technical and human resources available to a peace negotiation process.
Talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan have little chance of success. The regime has no incentive to negotiate with a group that has all but lost the war, and the rebels have little interest in doing so unless they can gain legitimacy as a genuine national movement. This reflects the fact that many of the root causes of intractable conflicts have to do with the perception of being marginalised. More inclusive processes have a greater chance of successfully ending wars, but they need the full engagement of all stakeholders. This requires that the process is designed and managed in a way that ensures all groups feel their voices are heard, and that they can build trust together to reach an agreed solution.
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