Mr. Paul Dziatkowiec (Geneva Centre for Security Policy-CGSP, Director of Mediation and Peace Support-MPS) will deliver the lecture on “A new era of conflict in a changing world: challenges for official and unofficial mediation” on Saturday January 31st, 2026 from 9:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Paul Dziatkowiec has worked for fourteen years as a mediator and dialogue facilitator in armed conflicts; currently as Director of Mediation and Peace Support (MPS) at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (CGSP), and earlier at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD). In these roles he has initiated and/or facilitated numerous confidential dialogue processes, including in the Ukraine-Russia context, the Caucasus, Middle East, Asia and Africa. Previously, he was an Australian diplomat for over a decade, serving in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa, up to acting Ambassador level; and as a Peace Monitor in Bougainville, earning an Australian Service Medal. He has visited more than 100 countries, including 70 on work assignments; written on peacemaking in different regions; and delivered guest lectures on similar themes in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Europe and Australia. Paul is also a Senior Adviser to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Peace Dividend Initiative, Expert on UNDP’s Crisis Response roster, Fellow at the Oxford Global Society and member of Diplomats Without Borders.