Ben Lee is a negotiator, mediator and strategist.
LEE.ADV is committed to peacebuilding and resolving conflicts in ways that ensure that people and communities are heard and empowered to advance their own solutions.
About Ben
Ben Lee has more than two decades of experience in international negotiations, peacebuilding, human rights, conflict resolution and crisis leadership. His work has taken him to more than 30 countries.
An international lawyer, Ben served with the United Nations in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iraq, Myanmar and with the UN’s Syria Commission of Inquiry. He led investigations into atrocities, monitored prisons, engaged with armed actors and advised senior officials.
Ben was also a negotiator for Australia at the UN in Geneva, leading on Syria, Sudan, climate change and other high profile resolutions. Before this, he was an advisor on Northern Ireland’s bill of rights process and partnered with Pacific communities to set-up independent national human rights institutions. More recently, Ben has supported Myanmar's pro-democracy movement with its UN negotiations and diplomacy.
Ben’s specialist mediation practice applies his experiences to help individuals, institutions, workplaces and community organisations to resolve conflict and shape durable solutions.
Ben calls Sydney home. He’s a surf lifesaver and serves on a number of advisory boards and committees including the United Nations Association of Australia and the Sydney Peace Foundation.
Services
Negotiation
Ben’s negotiation practice helps pro-democracy movements, human rights defenders, local communities and civil society to increase their reach and impact.
UN negotiations can involve an overwhelming number of parties and use practices and procedures finessed over the past 80 years. They’re incredibly hard to access let alone influence, which often excludes important voices and communities with the most at stake.
Ben uses his insider’s knowledge and hands-on experience of UN negotiations to identify opportunities, design engagement strategies, develop technical proposals and to mentor emerging negotiators.
Mediation
Ben’s mediation practice helps individuals, workplaces, institutions and community organisations to resolve conflicts and to shape their own durable solutions.
A nationally-accredited (AMDRAS) Mediator, Ben brings a rare combination of international diplomacy, negotiation and conflict resolution experience to his practice. His mediations provide a relaxed, safe and positive setting where participants feel heard and understood and are empowered to reach their own resolutions.
Having lived in conflict zones and led complex negotiations, Ben is trauma aware and navigates challenging conversations with sensitivity. His experience working across countries, cultures and organisations also helps him to appreciate a range of perspectives.
Ben offers flexible mediation packages. This brings a tailored approach to each dispute and meets the specific needs of organisational partners.
Ben’s a member of the Resolution Institute and has completed mediation training with swisspeace in Switzerland.
Contact Ben on lee.adv@proton.me or +61 (0)466 053 483 to discuss his mediation services.
Strategy
Ben’s strategic advisory practice draws on his extensive experience with the UN, governments, advisory bodies, national human rights institutions and civil society.
Ben’s practice:
connects partners to an expansive international network
provides high-level policy advice
develops strategies on political and UN engagement
prepares submissions to UN forums and bodies, and technical contributions to the negotiation of resolutions
provides crisis communications support and crafts public statements, speeches and op-eds
produces formal and diplomatic correspondence.
Teaching
Ben is passionate about supporting and preparing the next generation.
He’s been a trainer for the UN, the Diplomacy Training Program and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Ben is a regular keynote speaker and panellist, and teaches university seminars on the UN system, international negotiations and human rights.
On top of serving in board and advisory roles, Ben gives television and radio interviews and publishes articles and blog posts that draw on his experiences. These include:
Publications
Ben produces resources that make international careers a bit more accessible.
One of his most popular is Peacocks & Procedure, the negotiator’s guide to surviving and thriving at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. It’s essential reading for newly posted diplomats.
Back by popular demand in an updated second edition, Peacocks & Procedure is co-authored with Bob Last OBE, the most experienced negotiator in Geneva.
Contact Ben
LEE.ADV welcomes new partnerships and opportunities to help resolve conflicts.
Please contact Ben on +61 (0)466 053 483 and lee.adv@proton.me or by completing the form below. And feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.