“Whole-of-society” peacebuilding: A new approach for forgotten stakeholders

Abstract

Current best practices in peacebuilding emphasize the importance of integrated or comprehensive approaches that optimize donor state resources through improved coordination and coherence among the security, diplomacy, and development sectors. While these “whole-of-government” approaches have improved donor state engagements in fragile and conflict-affected states in recent years, donor governments have generally failed to effectively engage segments within their home societies that may not be active in peacebuilding activities but that have potential to influence peacebuilding outcomes abroad. A “whole-of-society” approach allows governments to identify and draw from non-traditional actors.