Lawyering Peace Podcast
In the Lawyering Peace interview series, join Dr. Paul R. Williams, as he delves into the realm of peace negotiations, diplomacy, and international criminal justice with guests including seasoned peace negotiators and mediators, legal and strategic advisors, former ambassadors, prosecutors, and veterans of international criminal tribunals. Through the conversations, Dr. Williams and his guests shed light on the hurdles and triumphs of peace talks, the intricacies of negotiation strategies, the rigorous pursuit of justice in the aftermath of atrocities, and, in some instances, the lessons learned from failure. This series is a platform for the insights and wisdom of the friends and colleagues that Dr. Williams has had the honor of working with for over 30 years in the field, and offers an insider’s perspective on the complex dynamics of seeking justice and durable peace on the international stage.
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Explore Episodes by Category
Behind the Scenes of Peace Negotiations
These episodes feature conversations with individuals who played active roles in peace negotiations to end armed conflicts. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how delegations prepare to sit down and negotiate with their adversaries. Guests include chief negotiators, legal advisers, mediators, delegation members, and more.
Human Rights & Peace
Peace agreements often come with a long list of urgent priorities, such as disarming opposition forces, deploying humanitarian aid, and rebuilding the economy and infrastructure. While these issues demand immediate attention, human rights can sometimes take a backseat. These episodes explore why prioritizing human rights is crucial during the peace process, featuring insights from former Ambassadors to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Nexus of Peace and Justice
This section features conversations with former prosecutors, defense counsel, and other experts with experience in international criminal courts and tribunals. Our guests delve into the dilemma of sacrificing criminal accountability for the sake of peace, discussing how the courts and tribunals they've been part of have influenced, and been influenced by, the pursuit of peace. They also tackle the ultimate question: the balance between ‘peace’ and ‘justice.’
Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
These episodes offer insights into the diplomacy involved in implementing peace. Guests include those who have played key roles in building peace during transitions from conflict. Topics covered include post-conflict constitution drafting, elections, trade missions, and a special episode on academic approaches to diplomacy.
