Peacebuilding Research Articles

Assessing the EU’s commitment to multilateralism CSDP and Member States’ propensity to participate in peace missions

This paper analyzes the contribution of the CSDP operations to the peace building tasks of the peace operations of the global system, and examines the different levels of participation of EU Member States. Section one presents the scenario and considers the growth and expansion of practice of peace operations in the last twenty years. Section two reviews the main attributes of the CSDP operations. Section three explores the contribution of the old and new Member States to CSDP by examining the number of operations these countries participated in. The concluding section summarizes the research findings, and points to the current challenges faced by the EU’s peace missions.

An Evaluation of Peace Building Strategies in Southwestern Nigeria: Quantitative and Qualitative Examples

This paper evaluated the peace building architecture by United Nations using Southwestern Nigeria as a reference point. Quantitative data were generated from responses to the questionnaire. In addition, the qualitative data were gathered from two sources: interview response and theme coding of Focus Group Discussion. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean value and standard deviation as well as content analysis methods. From the descriptive statistics, this paper found out that quick intervention, cross-examination, negotiation, and mediation of differences were evaluated to be the key building strategies adopted for the enhancement of peaceful co-existence in local communities within Southwestern Nigeria. In spite of those good remarks, poor nature of ethnic cooperation underlines the causal reason for incessant communal conflicts in Southwestern Nigeria. It therefore concluded that peace building strategies in Southwestern Nigeria were evidently operationalised with observable inconsistencies from the qualitative data.

Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration in Violent Conflict Settings

According to the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency, there were 79.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide by the end of 2019. Evictions from homes and land are often linked to protracted violent conflict. Land administration (LA) can be a small part of UN peace-building programs addressing these conflicts. Through the lens of the UN and seven country cases, the problem being addressed is: what are the key features of fit-for-purpose land administration (FFP LA) in violent conflict contexts? FFP LA involves the same LA elements found in conventional LA and FFP LA, and LA in post conflict contexts, as it supports peace building and conflict resolution. However, in the contexts being examined, FFP LA also has novel features as well, such as extra-legal transitional justice mechanisms to protect people and their land rights and to address historical injustices and the politics of exclusion that are the root causes of conflict. In addition, there are land governance and power relations’ implications, as FFP LA is part of larger UN peace-building programs. This impacts the FFP LA design. The cases discussed are from Darfur/Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Honduras, Iraq, Jubaland/Somalia, Peru and South Sudan.

Role of Military From Counter Insurgency to Peace Building: Paradigm Shift in the Sri Lankan Nation-Stateʼs Security

Historically, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) used to be considered as one of the more stable and secure countries in the South Asian region. In the years after independence it gradually dawned on the government that maintaining national security was a crucial and most challenging contemporary issue faced by the country. At the global level, the role of the Military was understood as being vital for ensuring the safety, security and dignity of the nation-state. And, when national security is threatened on any ground, the military is expected to play a key role in safeguarding it. However, after the military victory was won by defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka in 2009 it was expected that a deep sense of peace and tranquility would be restored in the country. Contrary to this expectation, Sri Lankan national security was breached very badly, leadimg to an unstable situation as a result of a series of bomb blasts set off by certain extremist elements on the 21st of April 2019. In this backdrop, it would be a timely exercise to explore and analyze the Sri Lankan nation stateʼs security, peace building initiatives, and the role of the military. Taking this a step further, this study sought to analyze the role played by the military in the post-conflict peace building process as well. The study used qualitative methodology to conduct the investigation. Secondary data sources including books, articles and official reports were utilized to collect information for this study. This research found that in Sri Lanka the military was actively engaged in maintaining national security by using its soft and hard power as appropriate. This Study also found that lack of a coherent National Security Policy in Sri Lanka has been a key problem that needs to be addressed and corrected soon to ensure the safety and security of the country.

Efficacy of Personality Traits, Religious Ideology and Political Capital of Event: The Case of Pulwama Attack

History of tense relations between India and Pakistan dates back to the time of independence of both the states from the British Raj in 1947. Nonetheless, attempts have been made to pave the way for peace and trust building but in vain. This study looks at idiosyncrasy in policy making by looking at three different attacks that took place in India and the response of New Delhi to each. It further explores the personality of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi vis-à-vis his religious and ideological beliefs and also analyses the extent to which these factors sway Modi in formulating policy particularly towards Indian minority (Muslims) and neighbours like Pakistan. Employing content analysis of the daily Dawn with the timeline of 2001 to 2019, the paper methodologically looks at three significant attacks in Indian administered territories till the Pulwama bombing. To have a perspective of the latter, this paper raises the question why the attack on the Indian parliament and Mumbai attacks failed to generate similar response as the Pulwama attack did. The paper argues that the Pulwama attack generated a different response due to idiosyncrasy, personality traits, religious and nationalistic tendency of the current administrator of India. More importantly, the season of election is always sensitive; meanwhile incumbent government is always scouting for event(s) to be exploited as political capital for election victory. Premised on the theoretical underpinnings of personality traits, religious ideology and an event such as the Pulwama attack, Modi has managed to change the playbook of India-Pakistan relations.

Book Review: Lisa Sowle Cahill, Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Pacifism, Just War, and Peacebuilding

Book Review: Lisa Sowle Cahill, <i>Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Pacifism, Just War, and Peacebuilding</i>

Shifting ideas of sustainable peace towards conversation in state-building

ABSTRACT This article offers reflections on the meaning of peace and peace-building in Africa and proposes a reframing of the state-building problematic. It argues for a shift in analytical lens by providing alternative ways of looking at state-building in order to explore a different approach to peace-building. Thus, the paper re-centres the notion of conversation in the processes of building peace and state. This concept of conversation requires a shifting of the debate from a focus on which institutions, liberal or otherwise, and which policies are most effective for peace, to how inter-elite and society-elite conversation gives rise to, or fails to bring about particular ensembles of institutions and policy outcomes. We analyse the role of political settlement in shaping the nature and outcome of these conversations. We suggest that the pursuit of peace must account for the depth of conversation about the presence, absence or desire for peace as well as accompanying perspectives of state-building across the target society.

Peace Building: Tantangan Dakwah di Era Disrupsi

Since the global challenges of da’wah getting more and complex, it is necessary for the preachers to understand strategic steps to consider before doing da’wah. Including in Indonesia as a country that has so many diversity of etnicities, tribes, languages, religions and cultures. Realizing an atmosphere of harmony in Indonesian society requires the togetherness of various community parties, including preachers who bear the responsibility for reflects the values of Islam as rahmatan li al-‘alamin. This paper mainly focused on how do da’wah that can be applied in Indonesia as a nation unity in diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) in order to building peace facing the disruption era. Regarding to the disruption era, the da’wah approach will require changes and adjustment, both regarding the form, media, content (message) and underlying paradigm. The author offers some strategies, there are strengthening family, fostering common perceptions among community groups by strengthening universal values and developing an information system that is able to reach people widely and foster effective and harmonious communication. Of course, this writing accompanied by hope that there will be an effort to elaborate it systematically in the future.

The Levels of Participation for Men and Women in Resolving Community Conflicts Using ADR Mechanisms in Kapsokwony Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya

Purpose: This article outlines the levels of participation of men and women in resolving community conflicts using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in Kapsokwony, Kenya. It highlights that ADR are currently considered participatory and inclusive processes to resolve community conflicts as they offer men and women a major stake in conflict resolution in society due to their roles and positions in society. Methodology: Findings across the globe confirm that when men and women equally participate in resolution of community conflicts there is increased likelihood of reaching an agreement and of the longevity of the agreement. This implies that for effective ADR, the participation of both men and women would be crucial. The study was based on a mixed research method whose methodology involved research survey, interview and Focus Group Discussions. In consideration of the fact that gender equality is strongly advocated for in conflict resolution, the study sought to establish the situation in Kapsokwony. The study therefore sought to assess the levels of men’s and women’s participation in ADR mechanisms in Kapsokwony.Results: The study established that power was a factor that influenced the level of participation. Consequently, the level was simply established to be that of neutral/passive to a very high participation level of women participation in ADR mechanism. However, those that were participating at high levels in ADR were few and their power was invested in the office they held. Furthermore, the study established that in the Nyumba Kumi structure, women level of participation in conflict resolution was increasing from neutral/neutral to a higher level of participation where they fully participated in leading and influencing decisions on resolution of conflicts. This can be explained because the nature of the Nyumba Kumi structure allows for everyone to be actively involved in ensuring safety and welfare of the ten households’ members. Urban Thinkers Campus (2015) confirms that women are involved in ensuring safety in urban and rural settlements mainly through the Nyumba Kumi Initiative in which they are part of the leadership committee. Unique contribution to theory, policy, and practice: Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms help in creating an environment that fosters development, peace, and social justice amongst other positive values amidst community conflicts. The United Nations (2007) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People advocates for equal participation of men and women in the management of community conflicts. Participation of both men and women in ADR processes to resolve community conflicts in Kapsokwony Sub-county region is a field that studies have not adequately explored. This study hopes to contribute to existing literature on men’s and women’s participation in ADR for land disputes. The outcome of this study may be utilized to influence increased participation of women in ADR, within Kapsokwony Sub-county region. Additionally, the study’s findings will add to the growing body of literature pertaining to the participation of both men and women in peace building within the Kenyan context. Lastly, the findings of this study form the foundation upon which future research can be done

Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka

Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka

Prospects for Improvement in Peacebuilding: The Choice for Cooperation and Coordination

Prospects for Improvement in Peacebuilding: The Choice for Cooperation and Coordination

Enhancing Capacities in Nonviolent Communication to Change Perceptions and Addressing Root, Proximate and Tertiary Causes of Ethiopia&amp;apos;s Tigray Crisis

The postponement of the Ethiopia’s August 2020 elections (owing to COVID surge) has been said to be the beginning of the Ethiopia November 4 Violence between Tigrayan groups and the national defense forces. Other reasons cited include the mutation of the conflict from a struggle for territorial expansion into a class struggle. Ethnic federalism and a reaction of the massive oppression and exploitation of the people of Ethiopia are also cited as probable reasons for the Conflict. The contribution of leading scholars in influencing the existing literature highlighting to conflict has been not without a decry that they have overtime dominated the field oblivious of the need to promote the participation of young minds in such contribution. The U.S. Institute of Peace Generation Change Fellows-Youth Advisory Council provides a platform through which youth provide thought leadership and amplify their voices in peace building. The author, a member of the YAC, Kenya chapter, provides a detailed overview of the genesis and state of the Ethiopia conflict but moves ahead to provide strategic guidance on how nonviolent communication can be used to improve relations and achieve sustainable peace. This article is largely a desk review, convening thoughts from key C/PVE, International relations and security experts from the horn of Africa and beyond. The thoughts have been corroborated, compared, and contrasted but most importantly analyzed into critical lessons and recommendations for a better situation for Ethiopia. Excerpts from the views of the experts denote variated factors leading to the Tigray conflict; the postponement of the August elections, the ‘Federalism state’, a long struggle for perceived oppression among a section of aggrieved Ethiopians have been presented as causes for the conflict. The allying of Somalia to Ethiopia, the surge of refugees fleeing to Sudan but above all the hard stance by Ethiopia’s leadership on the situation are feared for escalation of the conflict’. The author highlights the five Pillars of Gandhian Nonviolence, managing negative and disruptive emotions, mending a dysfunctional communication ecosystem as well as anger management as key to addressing the Tigray Conflict. Like in the case of <i>Gachacha</i> courts of Rwanda, she appreciates the Oromia- the Ethiopian traditional justice System, rich customary practice which together with above could help change the situation.

Trabajo Social y construcción de paz: una reflexión desde la práctica interdisciplinaria en el marco de la implementación del acuerdo de paz entre las FARC y el Estado colombiano

This paper aims to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of colombian Social Work in the formulation and implementation of public policies for peacebuilcing from an interdisciplinary perespective. In the first instance, a brief conceptualization is made on the armed conflicto in Colombia, the peace agreement with FARC and the scope of the larrer. Subsequently, a brief conceptualization on interdiscplinarity, social policy and peace building is carried out. Finally, an analysis of the constributions from social Social Work and local participation to the implementation of the peace agreement is made.

Peace Education in State Building: Towards a Better Understanding of Post-War Sierra Leone

Peace building in post was countries have posed several challenges to an extent that the former war-torn countries stand the probability of relapsing into conflict if the very reasons for which they went to war were not addressed. Often and again, what characterizes negotiation and mediation skills to end a conflict are most times supply driven from the perspectives of the international community. In very rare circumstances, the parties to the conflict are involved in developing the framework for peace talks, rather the parties are brought to the negotiating table to discuss the framework developed by the peace experts. In this piece, it is argued that ignoring core competencies and skills of peace education and sensitization will continue to pose serious challenges to peace and stability especially if the very reasons for which the parties went to war are not included in an inclusive peace education framework.

“Here is no half-and-half course” – Immanuel Kant’s Perpetual Peace and the Imperative of Synergism

Immanuel Kant’s essay Perpetual Peace (1795) ranks as one of the philosopher’s most widely published, most frequently translated and most intensely discussed works across various disciplines. More than two hundred years after its publication, Kant’s peace treatise has become particularly important in the discipline of International Relations and it can be considered a classic in philosophy of peace today. Based on the conviction that peace must be established in a world at war, Kant develops practical instructions for this endeavor. Today, Kant’s peace design still has tremendous appeal in different areas. In particular, a synergetic reading, which so far has been widely neglected in the discussion of the treatise in both theory and practice, reveals valuable insights and points of departure for peace research and peace building in the present and future.

Civil Society Leaders’ Experiences of Peacebuilding in Londonderry/Derry City, Northern Ireland: Transforming Cultural and Psychological Barriers

This article reviews the empirical data the second author collected from 120 semi-structured interviews with the leaders of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and funding agency development officers conducted during the summer of 2010 in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties. The research explores 44 Derry City respondents' experiences and perceptions regarding external economic aid in the Northern Ireland peace process. To this end, this article explores the role of economic aid from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and the European Union (EU) Peace and Reconciliation or Peace 3 Fund in engaging with civil society in transforming psychological and cultural barriers towards building sustainable peace in Londonderry or Derry City. Themes emerged inductively from data. It includes the CSO leaders' and funding agency development officers' perspectives on building peace and both funds' impact on the Northern Ireland peacebuilding process. CSO leaders and funding agency development officers acknowledge the importance of external economic assistance support in development and forging cross-community contact projects. The interviewees also highlighted issues related to political participation, community competitiveness, and psychological barriers that emerge from CSOs working with both programs. Some of the conclusions are related to broadened peace process interventions to a multi-articulated approach that includes different areas of peacebuilding intervention.

Critical Perspective on Discourse in the Representation of Conflict in Ireland

This paper provides a critical analysis of the role of discourse in conflict situations, with a particular focus on dominant and competing discourses which have emerged in relation to conflict in Ireland historically. It begins with a general discussion about theoretical ideas around discourse, focusing in particular on the writings of critical theorists such as Gramsci, and Foucault. It engages with some of the key ideas about common-sense acceptance, reproduction and reinforcement of dominant hegemonic discourses, and how such hegemony emerges and is sustained. It also looks at how subordinate discourses often challenge and replace once dominant discourses. It then analyses how discourse plays a role in conflict in society and how discourse, like conflict itself, often changes in form and content depending on circumstance. Using examples of discourse, sourced from the print media and academic literature, about conflict in Ireland, the language and terminology used and how this has framed competing understandings and interpretations of the conflict, the article illustrates how conflict is reflected in competing discourses including dominant and subordinate variants. It argues that uncritical, unqualified acceptance of dominant discourse about conflict by academia and others potentially prevents the development of rigorous social scientific research, the unravelling of the underlying causes of conflict as well as potentially delaying the onset of real and meaningful peace building. It also potentially places academia firmly on the side of the status quo in conflict situations.

Contributions of Faith-Based Organizations towards Peace Building for Sustainable Community Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Contributions of Faith-Based Organizations towards Peace Building for Sustainable Community Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Peace education curriculum objectives for Malaysian higher tertiary education: A fuzzy delphi approach

This paper was to analyse the voice of stakeholders on key elements for peace education curriculum objectives for Malaysian higher education system as a contribution to the progressive effort on fostering interactions among multiracial community. The larger focus of the study is to develop a peace education curriculum model based on an intercultural context that can be applied at the tertiary level. The model was developed based on Tyler’s Model (Tyler, 1949). The model proposed four domains which were the objectives of the curriculum, curriculum content, and implementation and evaluation. However, this paper only focuses on elements of the curriculum objectives which is also the instrumental domain for curriculum development. Fuzzy Delphi technique and Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) were employed. The findings of model consisted of 19 Objective curriculum elements. All proposed objective elements generated through literature review were accepted by the stakeholders and the four highest agreeable elements were “To create in the learner the knowledge of the concept of peace and conflict”, “To nurture respect for and appreciation of differences”, “To enable students to acquire a sense of belonging towards a larger society, and to empathize and relate with individuals from other groups within that society”, and “To create in the learner, the knowledge of national identity”. The outcome has reflected on the three important dimensions of knowledge and value. The skill dimension was ranked lower, as response to stakeholder views that the importance of knowledge and value (concept of peace, respect, sense of belonging and national identity) should be first inculcated and followed with other skills. The outcome of the study would implicate in the systematic structuring of peace building among the multi-cultural society through peace education.

Socio-cultural context of half-widows in Kashmir: Issues and concerns

Armed conflict affects people in various ways and it is generally observed that women's sufferings are not accorded adequate attention while assessing the impact of armed conflict as well as in the peace building process. In this paper, existing literature on Half widows in Kashmir has been systematically revised with the aim of studying the gendered aspect of Armed Conflict situation in Kashmir. The relationship between socio-cultural factors and women in midst of armed conflict situations is intended to be studied with the help of existing literature. The research gaps have been identified in the limited studies done on half widows and this calls for a conscious probe into the social milieu of women who are indirect victims of enforced disappearance.