Peace talks are a key ingredient in any effort to resolve a conflict. Yet they are complex and highly volatile, and many factors must align to bring them to fruition.

Whether they are a ceasefire, national dialogue, peace treaty negotiations, or some other form of political settlement, peace processes must address a range of issues, including how to build durable peace, the role of third parties, and how to link them with development efforts. And they must deal with fundamental trade-offs: When is it appropriate to prioritize security reform at the expense of other priorities, for example, or the tension between amnesty and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR)?

In addition, they must consider how to empower women so they can be active participants in these processes. To this end, it is important that the terms of reference of mediators, envoys and Groups of Friends in official peace processes include measurable, time-sensitive commitments to ensure that women’s participation is equal and meaningful, and that barriers to their participation, whether in law or in practice, are removed.

As the scholarship on peace talks grows, it is essential to move beyond questions of when and how to initiate them, and instead explore how they can best be structured to ensure their success. In doing so, scholars can help to answer important questions such as: What are the most effective ways to link peace talks with development efforts? How can we strengthen or transform formal government institutions as part of a peace process?