A conversation on the human costs of the war in Gaza at London's Hall of Remembrance, 1 April 2025

Oliver on stage with Emily Buchanan

On 1 April, Oliver gave a talk at the Hall of Remembrance in London, attended by approximately 130 people. The event was moderated by BBC journalist Emily Buchanan.

 Oliver discussed Forward Thinking’s work, and how our methodology has developed over 20 years of experience in conflict resolution in the Gulf-MENA region. He addressed recent political developments and the challenges ahead in achieving lasting peace, drawing comparisons to the Northern Ireland peace process and emphasising the need to engage parties often perceived as ‘hardline’ to reach a durable solution.

The session concluded with questions and answers, covering topics including the important role of religion as both a source of tension and a channel for peacebuilding, the influence of regional actors such as Iran, the real risk of spoilers in any peace process, and the need for political will on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides of the conflict.