Peace talks are diplomatic efforts to resolve violent conflict by creating an agreement that addresses the underlying causes. The goal is to reach a mutually-desired settlement that will lead to a permanent ceasefire and eventual treaty. Peace talks are not easy, and they may take years to produce results. But they can make a difference, especially if they are successful.

The management of a peace process often determines whether it will succeed or fail. Managing factors include the creation of pre-negotiation agreements and other logistical issues such as scheduling, agendas and participants. These agreements structure and manage the negotiations, ensuring that they stay on track.

In negotiations that are genuinely geared toward ending conflict, each party seeks to negotiate from a position of strength. Leaders weigh how much the enemy and their own constituents will perceive a willingness to negotiate as a sign of weakness, and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Moreover, leaders assess how the enemy will respond to their offers and terms of engagement. Depending on how they expect their enemy to react, they will offer more concessions in order to maximize their chances of success.

The international community often neglects to invest in peace talks that bring civic voices into the process, instead only focusing on engaging political and military elites. This is a major missed opportunity to build trust and support a more inclusive peace process. In addition, the international community should encourage national political actors and dominant leaders to consider women’s perspectives in their negotiations. This can be done by providing incentives such as training or adding delegate seats to the negotiations.