The consequences of conflicts are felt in the first place in local communities. Local governments, therefore, cannot be ignored when it comes to conflict-prevention, dialogue and peace building, or to reconstruction after conflict. The First World Conference on City Diplomacy is organised to bring together local governments to address these issues.

Conflict dynamics and the huge interests involved, sometimes make it difficult to find solutions at the national or international level. Dialogue, understanding, integration and cooperation at the local level can help to create the conditions for agreements at a higher political level.

The conference will therefore deal with the role of local governments in:

• Conflict prevention
• Peace-building
• Post-conflict reconstruction