Research this month
Community resilience to violent extremism in Kenya
"An important component of community resilience to violence is existing local networks of civic engagement among ethnic groups."
Community resilience to violent extremism in Kenya, from USIP, explores how local communities in urban Kenya are resisting and countering violent extremism. The year-long research focused on 6 neighbourhoods in Nairobi and Mombassa to determine key factors leading to local resilience.
Transforming broken relationships: Making peace with the past
"Transforming relationships is not simply a post-conflict endeavour but a continuous process that can start at an earlier stage, before a formal settlement."
Transforming broken relationships, from Conciliation Resources, looks at the idea of reconciliation, in particular the practical approaches and challenges of addressing the legacy of violence. Through examples of a number of conflicts, the publication highlights the need for a range of approaches to reconciliation.
Rejecting peace? Legacies of violence in Colombia
"The results in the plebiscite also display a clear rural-urban divide: more populated municipalities and cities, which were comparatively less affected by FARC’s brand of guerrilla warfare, were much more likely to reject the agreement, while more sparsely populated areas tended to vote yes."
Rejecting Peace, from PRIO, examines reasons behind Colombia's narrow rejection of the peace agreement with the FARC in a referendum. The research highlights the divisions in Colombian society over the issue - those in areas affected by the violence were more likely to vote in favour of the deal.
The value of listening to community voices: a peacebuilding approach to armed social violence
"The value of Listening Methodology lies in the act of giving communities the space to be heard and to realise that their voices are important."
The value of listening to community voices shares the experience of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in Cambodia in developing peacebuilding interventions rooted in community perceptions. The paper is part of the latest in the Berghof Foundation's 'Dialogue' series which looks at the role peacebuilding plays in tackling armed social violence.
Conflict Trends 2016/3
The latest issue of Conflict Trends includes articles on strengthening community engagement in UN peace operations, participatory media, and youth activism in Zimbabwe.
From the blog
Diplomacy on the rocks: Europe’s struggle to deal with the migrant crisis
By Kevin McCann: As the Calais refugee camp is demolished, the migrant crisis shows no sign of ending. Kevin McCann spoke to Marije Balt, who says that Europe needs to rethink how it deals with Africa. Read more »Burundi withdraws from the International Criminal Court as violence continues
By Kevin McCann: 18 months into a violent political crisis in Burundi, the government has announced that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court – an unprecedented step that has many people worried. Read more »Climate change: is there a positive side for Mapuche communities in southern Chile?
By Danny Pavitt: There have been decades of half-hearted efforts from the Chilean government to make peace with the Mapuche communities, says Danny Pavitt. But common efforts to fight climate change could help the two parties work together. Read more »The case for community-led peacebuilding in Nepal
By Subindra Bogatiand Benjamin Britton: Subindra Bogati and Benjamin Britton make the case for local first as Nepal negotiates a period of tricky political transition. Read more »Global peacebuilders unite: Germany 2016
By Inga Sikorskaya: Last month, peacebuilders from around the world met in Germany to discuss how civil society can contribute to peace. Inga Sikorskaya reports. Read more »Where next for peace in Colombia?
By Ariel Safdie: Many thought that last Sunday’s referendum would be a significant step towards ending Colombia’s long-running armed conflict. But a proposed peace deal with one of the largest armed groups was rejected by voters. As the initial shock subsides, it is vital to understand why half the country felt they couldn’t vote for the deal, says Ariel Safdie. Read more »Lebanon: education in a context of state-imposed amnesia
By Christalla Yakinthouand Lynn Maalouf: Insight on Conflict is co-publishing a series of articles on Education and Transitional Justice with the International Center for Transitional Justice. Read more »Celebrating International Peace Day in Rwanda
By Jean de Dieu Basabose: Jean de Dieu Basabose reflects on Rwanda's International Peace Day celebrations and explores the role of youth in building sustainable peace in the country. Read more »Tragedy in Beni: a crisis foretold?
By Kevin McCann: In August, at least 42 civilians were hacked to death with machetes in Beni, Eastern DR Congo. It was not the first time such violence has taken place, and it may not be the last. So how can the killing be stopped? Peace Direct has released a briefing on the situation in Congo. Read more »Violent past, privileged future? Politics and entitlement in post-conflict Rwanda
By Andrea Pabstand Markus Bayer: Feeling like a hero or victim can drive social processes in post-conflict societies. In the second of a two-part series, Andrea Pabst and Markus Bayer discuss the impact of victimisation in Rwanda. Read more »
