Ben Lee is a mediator, negotiator 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 international negotiation, peacebuilding, human rights, conflict resolution and crisis leadership experience. His work has taken him to more than 30 countries.
An international lawyer and accredited Mediator, Ben served with the United Nations in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iraq, Myanmar and with the UN’s Syria Commission of Inquiry. He led investigations into alleged 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 nations to set up independent national human rights institutions. Most recently, Ben has supported Myanmar's pro-democracy movement with its UN negotiations and diplomacy.
Ben’s specialist mediation practice helps individuals, institutions, corporations, workplaces and for-purpose organisations to resolve conflict and shape durable solutions.
Ben calls Sydney home. He’s a volunteer surf lifesaver and serves on a number of advisory boards and committees including the United Nations Association of Australia (NSW) and the Sydney Peace Foundation.
MEDIATION
LEE.ADV mediation helps individuals, institutions, corporations, workplaces and for-purpose organisations to resolve conflicts and shape their own durable solutions.
An AMDRAS accredited Mediator, Ben brings a rare combination of international negotiation, diplomacy, crisis management and conflict resolution expertise to his practice. His mediations provide a positive setting where participants feel heard and empowered to reach their own resolutions.
Having worked extensively in conflict zones and led complex negotiations, Ben is trauma aware and navigates challenging conversations with care. His experience working across countries, cultures and organisations also helps him to appreciate a range of perspectives.
Ben offers flexible mediation packages that bring a tailored approach to each dispute and meet the specific needs of his clients.
Ben is a professional member of the Resolution Institute and has completed mediation training with swisspeace in Switzerland.
Feel free to call Ben on +61 466 053 483 or email him to arrange a consultation.
NEGOTIATION
LEE.ADV negotiations help human rights defenders, pro-democracy movements and civil society organisations to increase their reach and impact.
Ben has been a negotiator at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva for States, national human rights institutions and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organisations since the Council’s creation. He was the first Australian delegate to serve on a country resolution core group and has been lead negotiator on dozens of resolutions.
Ben has also contributed to the negotiation of UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.
Ben uses his insider’s knowledge to support partners to:
identify priorities and opportunities
design creative engagement strategies
develop technical and textual proposals
connect with key delegations
mentor emerging negotiators.
He also provides in-person or remote assistance during Human Rights Council sessions to help his partners access and influence fast-moving negotiations.
STRATEGY
LEE.ADV strategic advisory leverages Ben’s extensive experience working with the UN, governments, advisory bodies, national human rights institutions and civil society.
Ben supports organisations to maximise their engagement opportunities with UN and other intergovernmental bodies, mechanisms and experts, and to strengthen their bilateral diplomacy. His strategic advisory practice:
connects partners to an expansive international network
provides high-level policy advice
develops detailed strategies on political and UN engagement, including with specialised UN mechanisms such as the Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review
prepares submissions to UN forums and bodies
provides crisis communications support and crafts public statements, speeches and op-eds.
TEACHING
Ben offers tailored professional development programs to organisations and institutions 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 of National Human Rights Institutions and numerous universities.
Each training course is tailored to meet the specific needs of each organisation, knowledge levels and strategic purposes.
Ben also publishes articles and blog posts that draw on his experiences, aimed at supporting the next generation of internationalists. This includes how to kick-start an international career and how to prepare for tough assignments.
ENGAGEMENT
Ben is a regular keynote speaker, moderator and panellist, and engages with the media.
Ben is a regular contributor to public forums and commentary. He has given live interviews to Al Jazeera, BBC World, Sky News and Koori Radio and has written for The Guardian.
As a keynote speaker, moderator and panellist, Ben draws on his experiences as an international negotiator and UN conflict investigator and his roles in 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 (0)466 053 483 or complete the form below. And feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.
