Bologna Peacebuilding Forum 2025
The Bologna Peacebuilding Forum (BPF), now at its 7th edition, is a key event on peacebuilding in Italy and internationally. It is a framework for dialogue and exchange between scholars and practitioners working on conflict resolution, peacebuilding and development
IN A FEW WORDS
In its seventh edition, the Bologna Peacebuilding Forum focused on how technology is reshaping the landscape of peacebuilding. The world of peacebuilding is undergoing deep and fast-paced transformations, and it remains to be seen how actors in the field will adapt to an increasingly complex and volatile global environment.
“Tech solutionism is the enemy of peace tech. Technology for peace is not useful if you don’t have a good process design and a good political process. Technology supports and makes what people do faster and easier: it’s meant to enhance human effort, not replace it. […] The human-machine interaction point is always very important to keep in mind.”
Roger Mac Ginty, Professor, Durham Global Security Institute, Durham University, kicked off the discussion framing the evolving dynamics of the peacebuilding landscape.
Background
Peace processes have complex dynamics. Peacebuilding practitioners have few opportunities to reflect on their work and share their expertise with fellow professionals or researchers. At the same time, scholars experience the same and opposite challenge. Indeed, they have a comprehensive view of the discipline and entertain exchanges with other fellow experts. Still, they often lack direct interaction with peacebuilding practitioners in the field.
The Bologna Peacebuilding Forum aims to bridge this gap by offering a space for dialogue between peacebuilding scholars and practitioners. Furthermore, the BPF strives to open up the discussion to a larger audience comprising foreign policy experts, civil society actors, and the public opinion. From 2019, the BPF has developed as a major annual gathering fostering open and constructive dialogue on key issues and challenges facing the discipline.
Now in its seventh year, the BPF offers a platform for debating relevant and timely topics concerning various aspects of peacebuilding.
Theme: “Smart Peace. Human. Tech. Possible”
Today’s world is increasingly shaped by protracted wars and polarised societies. While political leaders routinely refer to peace as a priority, trust in mediation and peace processes is eroding. Even more worryingly, armed conflicts are more and more perceived as a legitimate way of solving international disputes and exercising power, while international law and human rights are often ignored.
This edition will explore innovative ways of building peace, with particular reference to the role of digital and communication technologies.
Technology is an integral part of most aspects of life. It constantly changes and redefines the way we communicate, work and access information and public services. We often focus on the risks associated with technology, while its potential opportunities are frequently overlooked. At the same time, while peacebuilding remains a human-centred endeavour in which personal interactions are crucial, the recent technological changes are transforming the field.
Against this backdrop, the Bologna Peacebuilding Forum will provide a space to analyse and discuss challenges and opportunities for peacebuilding in a digital era. The ambition is to pioneer innovative ways to address violent conflicts and use technology in smart and human-centred ways.
