Research this month
Positive Peace Report 2015
This report introduces new thinking and evidence about Positive Peace, defined as the attitudes, institutions and structures which create and sustain peaceful societies. These same factors also lead to many other positive outcomes, such as strong business environments, higher levels of well-being and gender equality. Therefore, Positive Peace describes an optimal environment under which human potential can flourish.
Positive Peace Report 2015, from the Institute for Economics and Peace, compares indicators of "positive peace" in 162 countries. By looking at social factors that have a high correlation with the absence of violence, such as well-functioning government, respect for human rights, and low corruption, the report aims to be a quantitative measure of positive peace and rank countries accordingly.
Relief as a neutral form of aid or a political-communal mobilization? Doing politics in emergencies and war and the politics of aid in Lebanon
While international humanitarian organizations imagined aid as separate from politics, local aid and politics during the July War formed and informed each other.
Doing politics in emergencies and war and the politics of aid in Lebanon explores issues of neutrality that arise in providing humanitarian aid during times of conflict. The paper looks at the example of Lebanon during the conflict in 2006, and highlights the tensions between local and international approaches and perspectives.
Preventing conflict, transforming justice, securing the peace: a global study on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
Much of the progress toward the implementation of resolution 1325 continues to be measured in ‘firsts,’ rather than as standard practice. Obstacles and challenges still persist and prevent the full implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
Preventing conflict, transforming justice, securing the peace, from UN Women, looks back on the 15 years since UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was adopted in October 2000. UNSCR 1325 was intended to increase women's participation in peace processes. The research provides an extensive review of its implementation and identifies successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
The deeper struggle over country ownership
Faced with this sweeping trend of pushback against external aid for civil society, the aid community is only starting to formulate a response. The instinct of some practitioners is to pull back – to retreat to the safer ground of old approaches when aid went only to governments or organisations chosen by the national government to be aid recipients.
The deeper struggle over country ownership, from OECD, gives a short overview of the development of the concept of "ownership". The paper explores how different definitions can lead to conflicting approaches, particularly between those that prioritise assisting governments and approaches that support civil society.
Peace Direct Evaluation Report: Suppporting stabilisation and peacebuilding in Eastern Congo
Suppporting stabilisation and peacebuilding in Eastern Congo, from Peace Direct, is an evaluation of a grassroots disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration project in eastern DR Congo, led by Congolese peacebuilding organisation Centre Résolution Conflits. The project built on learning from previous projects, introduced a micro-finance pilot and extended the model to 38 communities in three territories in Ituri District. Its key aims were to reinforce stability by improving infrastructure and developing livelihoods, in order to encourage the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and to build capacity for conflict resolution.
From the blog
Peace and the ELN: and yet it moves
By Fabio Andres Diaz: As another Colombian rebel group signals it is ready to begin peace talks with the government, Fabio Andres Diaz looks at the improving prospects for peace in Colombia. Read more »
Calls for reform in Sierra Leone’s justice system
By Abdul Brima: A recent meeting of thirty civil society organisations called on the government of Sierra Leone to make reforms in the justice sector. Read more »
Refugee or migrant? We’re all wrong
By Amber Webb: Amber Webb argues that in the debate over the labels given to the millions fleeing conflict, an important voice is not being heard – the people themselves. Read more »
Nepal’s new constitution: a path to peace or further crisis?
By Ambika Pokhrel: As Nepal adopts a new constitution, Ambika Pokhrel reports on the country’s progress towards peace. Read more »
A fragile peace in South Sudan
By Khamis Cosmas: Will South Sudan’s new peace deal secure an end to the civil war? Read more »
Forgiveness: the secret to peace in Uganda
By Stephen Oola: New research shows that forgiveness can be a powerful tool for peacebuilding in Uganda. Read more »
Diplomatic tensions between Burundi and Rwanda: a call for peace
By Jean de Dieu Basabose: Diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and Burundi are growing. Jean de Dieu Basabose looks at the reasons behind this, and the prospects for peace. Read more »
Assessing the Kurdish Initiative: Can it democratise Syria?
By Yasin Duman: The Kurdish Initiative for a Democratic Syria seeks to create a democratic solution to the Syrian crisis. Yasin Duman analyses the progress made so far. Read more »
Solutions to conflict in CAR: a better understanding for a lasting peace
By Arnaud Pont: Following renewed violence in the Central African Republic, Arnaud Pont explores what is behind the conflict and suggests an alternative approach to peace. Read more »
How a local peacebuilding network helped stop the spread of Ebola in Liberia
By Nat B. Walker: Liberian civil society played a crucial role in getting the Ebola outbreak under control. Read more »
