The Civil Peace Service programme of the GIZ is involved in 20 countries with more than 100 international CPS advisors and a similar number of local specialists. These advisors support local non-governmental organisations and initiatives, state agencies and local authorities as well as national programmes and institutions. They work on changing behaviours, attitudes and structures in the long term. In this context, CPS tackles areas where the international community views Germany – given its own history – as a competent and credible partner. These include dealing with the past, supporting reconciliation and dialogue processes, and protecting human rights. By bringing together the different actors and enabling them to network, GIZ's CPS programme acts as a bridge between the state and civil society.