Ben Lee is a mediator, negotiator and strategist.
LEE.ADV is committed to supporting dialogue and resolving conflict in ways that ensure that parties and communities are heard and empowered to advance their own solutions.
About Ben
Ben Lee has more than two decades of conflict resolution, peacebuilding and crisis leadership experience. His work has taken him to over 30 countries.
An accredited Mediator and an international lawyer and negotiator, Ben served with the United Nations in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iraq, Myanmar and with the UN’s Commission of Inquiry on Syria. He investigated alleged atrocity crimes, supported justice for survivors, raised allegations with armed actors and advised senior officials.
Ben was also a multilateral 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 nations to set up independent national human rights institutions in the region.
Ben’s brings these trauma-informed experiences to his mediation practice, supporting his clients to resolve protracted disputes in durable ways. He accepts commercial, personal injury, institutional and workplace disputes.
Ben calls Sydney home. He’s a volunteer surf life saver and serves on a number of advisory boards including the United Nations Association of Australia (NSW) and the Sydney Peace Foundation.
MEDIATION
LEE.ADV mediation helps individuals, institutions, workplaces, corporations and for-purpose organisations to resolve conflicts with agency and in durable ways.
Ben brings a rare combination of high-stakes international negotiation, investigation and trauma-informed conflict resolution expertise to his practice. His mediations build trust and ensure that parties feel heard and empowered to shape their own resolutions.
Having led complex multilateral negotiations and worked extensively with survivors in conflict zones, Ben is adept at navigating challenging conversations. His experience working across countries, cultures and organisations also helps him to appreciate a range of perspectives.
Ben offers flexible mediation packages that are tailored to the needs of his clients and the characteristics of each dispute.
Ben completed mediation training with swisspeace in Switzerland. He is a professional member of the Resolution Institute and co-founder of Right Mediator.
Call Ben on +61 466 053 483 or email him to arrange a consultation.
NEGOTIATION
LEE.ADV negotiations help pro-democracy movements, human rights defenders and civil society to increase their reach and impact.
Ben has been a negotiator at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva for two decades. He has represented Member States, national human rights institutions and accredited NGOs. During Australia’s inaugural term on the Council, he became the first Australian delegate to serve on a country resolution core group and was lead negotiator on dozens of resolutions.
Ben has also contributed to UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. He uses his insider’s knowledge of UN negotiations to support his partners to:
identify priorities and opportunities
design creative engagement strategies
develop technical and textual proposals
connect with key delegations
mentor emerging negotiators.
Ben also provides in-person and remote assistance during Human Rights Council sessions to help his partners access and influence fast-moving negotiations.
STRATEGY
Ben supports partners to maximise engagement opportunities with UN and intergovernmental bodies, and to strengthen their bilateral diplomacy. His strategic advisory practice:
connects partners to an expansive international network
provides high-level policy advice
develops detailed political and UN engagement strategies, including with the UN’s human rights system and expert mechanisms and bodies
provides crisis communications support and crafts public statements, speeches, official correspondence and opinion pieces.
LEE.ADV strategic advisory leverages Ben’s extensive international experience with the UN, governments, advisory bodies, NHRIs and civil society.
TRAINING
Ben offers tailored professional development programs and is passionate about preparing the next generation.
Ben has been a professional trainer for the UN, the Diplomacy Training Program, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, the Asia Pacific Forum, the Australian Human Rights Commission and numerous universities.
Ben’s training courses are tailored in close consultation with partners to meet the specific needs, knowledge levels and strategic goals of participants.
Ben also publishes articles and blog posts that draw on his experiences and aim to support the next generation of internationalists. This includes pieces on how to kick-start an international career, how to prepare for tough assignments and pathways to mediation.
ENGAGEMENT
Ben is a regular keynote speaker, media commentator, moderator and panellist.
An established commentator, Ben has given live interviews to Al Jazeera, BBC World, Channel News Asia, Sky News and Koori Radio on a range of international issues. He has also written for The Guardian and consulted on screenplays.
As a keynote speaker, moderator and panellist, Ben draws on his experience and continuing roles in international affairs and peacebuilding processes.
Contact Ben with event, media interview and public speaking inquiries.
RESOURCES
Publications that make the UN and international careers more accessible.
One of Ben’s most popular publications 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.
Contact Ben on +61 466 053 483 or complete the form below, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
