A monthly selection of the best new research and resources on local peacebuilding worldwide, as chosen by Insight on Conflict. This months edition features articles on improving peacebuilding evaluation, local perceptions of international aid interventions, and approaches to citizen policing. To receive the email newsletter each month, please sign-up here or email joel@insightonconflict.org.

Perceptions of aid in places affected by conflict

In this paper (pdf) CDA Collaborative Learning Projects share insights into how local people in conflict-affected countries perceive aid interventions. The report highlights the importance of understanding the local context in order to ensure aid does not negatively impact the conflict.

Communication for peacebuilding: practices, trends and challenges

In "Communication for Peacebuilding (pdf)", Search for Common Ground looks into the ways new communication methods and technologies are being used to promote peacebuilding. The report highlights some of the key initiatives currently underway in an effort to get an overview of the field now, where it is headed and the challenges faced.

The use of Reflecting on Peace Practice (RPP) in peacebuilding evaluation

This report (pdf) from CDA Collaborative Learning projects looks at how Reflecting on Peace Practice (RRP) is currently used in evaluating peacebuilding. The report also gives recommendations as to how RRP can enable more effective evaluation of peacebuilding.

Approaches to citizen-centric policing

This article from Transcend Media examines “Citizen-centric policing” – an attempt to create better relations between police and communities in order to reduce crime. The article looks at current approaches, and analyses the results of the 2010 Police Station Visitors Week.

Improving peacebuilding evaluation

Improving Peacebuilding Evaluation is the result the Peacebuilding Evaluation Project by the Alliance for Peacebuilding and USIP. A series of four meetings were held with key stakeholders in Washington DC with the goal of improving collaboration in peacebuilding evaluation. You can read more about the meetings here.

Promoting stability and resolving provincial disputes in Afghanistan: USIP’s Dispute Councils Program

This report (pdf) gives an overview of USIPs dispute resolution councils in Afghanistan. These community-led councils used traditional dispute resolution methods to resolve local conflicts. The aim of the project was to reduce the appeal of the Taliban through the provision of effective governance and justice mechanisms.

Measuring peacebuilding: challenges, tools, actions

In Measuring Peacebuilding, Noref looks at the current methods measuring the effectiveness of peacebuilding operations. The paper examines current practices and limitations, and offers recommendations as to how the field can be moved forward.

From the blog

  • Mariam Safi looks at the progress that has been made one year on from the National Peace Jirga. Read more >>>
  • Rens Willems discusses why understanding the local situation is so important in ensuring security. Read more >>>
  • The story of Empowering Hands, a local organisation rebuilding the lives of war-affected women in Uganda. Read more >>>
  • Hasan Dodwell looks at the San José de Apartadó Peace Community in Colombia. Formed in response to (and continuing despite, atrocities against the civilian population. Read more >>>
  • The story of SHON) in DR Congo, a grassroots cooperative giving hope to women affected by war. Read more >>>
  • An exclusive interview with Congo expert Jason Stearns about his new book and the different challenges facing DR Congo today. Read more >>>
  • Derek Brown, from the Peace Appeal Foundation, looks at what lessons can be learned from the Turkish and Lebanese democracies. Read more >>>
  • Tom Gilhespy from Peace Direct explains how, despite the escalating violence in Sudan, communities historically involved in the conflict are pledging peace. Read more >>>