A set of handshakes – extended with civility and from equal footing – did more than punctuate the ending of a debate. They reflected a new political momentum in Armenia. On December 5, 2018, for the first time in independent Armenia’s history, the leaders of every political party and alliance participating in the December 9th parliamentary elections gathered on one stage, on live national television, to share with citizens their ideas and vision for the country’s future.

A group of Iraqi women peace activists stood together this month to urge the government of Iraq and the international community to engage in open and honest dialogue on national reconciliation. With support from NDI, they convened the Women in Peacebuilding Symposium on December 5 to share their ideas, bringing together over 200 decision makers from the government, civil society, and international organizations. The 40 women, despite coming from ethnically and geographically diverse backgrounds, joined together to present a united vision for reconciliation in Iraq and a step-by-step, research-based strategy on how to implement it. In a country where the focus remains on the challenges that led to conflict, these women are leading an effort to refocus on solutions.