Peacebuilding Research Articles

Medical education system (re)building in a fragile setting: Northwest Syria as a case study.

Syria has witnessed more than a decade of armed conflict through which healthcare workers and facilities have not only been affected, but targeted. Amidst this targeting of healthcare workers, subsequent displacement, and 'weaponization' of healthcare, the medical education and health professional training (MEHPT) of those that remain has split into at least two distinctive contexts: government controlled, and non-government controlled. Efforts to rebuild MEHPT in light of this polarisation and fragmentation have led to a new MEHPT system in non-government controlled northwest Syria, that functions through what we describe as a 'hybrid kinetic model'. This mixed-methods study provides an in-depth analysis of this MEHPT system as a case study to inform future policy planning and interventions in the context of future post-conflict health workforce development. We used mixed methods to investigate the state of MEHPT in northwest Syria during September 2021 and May 2022. This included a) Stakeholder analysis, b) 15 preparatory experts consultations c) 8 Focus group discussions d) 13 Semi-structured interviews e) 2 Questionnaires and f) Validation workshops. We identified three main categories of key stakeholders working on MEHPT in northwest Syria: 12 newly established academic institutions, 7 local governance authorities involved in MEHPT, and 12 non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The MEHPT system operated through these stakeholders in a three-layer system to provide undergraduate and postgraduate MEHPT. In the first, top, layer, external NGOs and donors hold the strongest capacity at the expense of relatively under resourced internal governance in the second, middle, level. In the third, bottom, level, local academic bodies operate. We uncovered several levels of challenges facing these stakeholders including governance challenges, institutional challenges, individual challenges, and political challenges. Despite these challenges, participants in our study highlighted significant opportunities within the MEHPT system and that MEHPT can be a peace building pillar for the community. To our knowledge, this is the first paper that provides an in-depth situational analysis of the MEHPT system in a conflict setting while engaging the voice of local key stakeholders. We found that local actors in MEHPT in non-government controlled northwest Syria have made efforts towards (re)building a new, hybrid and kinetic MEHPT system, through a bottom-up approach. Despite these efforts, the MEHPT system remains fragile and polarised, suffering from several levels of challenges with limited involvement of internal governance. Building on our findings, to improve this approach and build bridges of trust among stakeholders and the MEHPT community, further studies are needed to determine feasible approaches to increasing the role of internal governance structures in the MEHPT system through: 1-Formalisation of efforts through establishing a MEPHT technical coordination unit. 2-Further shifting of power from external supporting NGOs and funders to internal governance structures. 3- Working towards achieving sustainable long-term partnerships.

Latin American Social Medicine in Colombia: Violence, neoliberalism, and Buen Vivir

AbstractThis article explores the efforts of Latin American Social Medicine (LASM) scholars/activists to incorporate decolonial approaches to support peace building in Colombia. We draw from our participation in Red SaludPaz (RSP); a network of universities and civil society organizations dedicated to supporting the peace accord, and guided by social medicine and the indigenous epistemology of Buen Vivir. We describe the work of RSP both as researchers and as active participants of this network guided by participatory action research in the tradition of Fals Borda. We ask what challenges are faced by RSP when reflecting on Buen Vivir, and how to understand our own endeavor to examine community‐based projects through Buen Vivir. We have found that RSP's commitment to promote peace has invited LASM scholars/activists to decolonize notions of health and wellbeing and to think about Buen Vivir as a pathway to emancipation from the rigid confines of western epistemology.

The Role of International Organizations in Conflict Management in Burkina Faso

Purpose: The study sought to analyze the role of international organizations in conflict management in Burkina Faso
 Materials and Methods: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The results show that international organizations are important actors in conflict management. They are responsible for mediating disputes, preventing armed conflicts and promoting peacebuilding efforts. These organizations have played a key role in providing technical and financial support to the Government of Burkina Faso as well as in facilitating dialogue and cooperation between international actors, the government, and civil society in Burkina Faso.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practices and Policies: The power theory and Constructivism theory may be used to anchor future studies in the conflict management sector. The study results will also benefit other stakeholders such as the policy makers as well as researchers and scholars from different parts of the world. The top management of conflict management sector in the country will also use the study findings to improve peace building performance in all their activities and programs. The study recommends that the adoption of effective conflict management policies in the international organizations will help to improve efficiency in their major operations and activities.

INTERNATIONAL AND INTRA-STATE CONFLICTS, PEACE AND SPORT TRIANGLE: CONFLICT ANALYSIS, PEACE STUDIES AND SPORT MANAGEMENT APPROACHES

There has been a close relationship between conflict, peace, development and sport. The use of sports for international and intra-state conflict analysis and peacebuilding proposes has become an important study subject in the 21st century. Sport can be associated with intolerance, nationalistic sentiments, and, most of time, violence. It is also true that international sport events may cause conflicts, violence, aggression and controversies (Öğretir-Özçelik, 2017). According to sport and olympic ideology, the main function of international sport is to promote international peace and development. It can be also used for a tool for societal change and social transformation. Since the ancient time, sport activities has related to the simulation of struggle between two conflicting parties and the civilized war. This study aims to analyze the link between international and intra-state conflicts, peace and sports. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of sports both conceptually and practically in conflict analysis and peace building. The first part is to present a conceptual framework in the study of sports, conflict resolution, and peace building. Second, it highlights some case studies where sports have an important role in international conflict and a tool for peace and reconciliation. Third, it focuses on the international use of sport and physical activity to attain the culture of peace and development objectives such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Keywords: Sport, Conflict Resolution, Peace Studies.

Vocational and technical education for sustainable development: A roadmap to peace building and socio-economic reconstruction in Africa

This study provided critical examination of policy formulation and implementation of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) in some African countries. The study brought to fore relevance of VTE in engendering peace building and socio-economic development in Africa by examining four African countries: Nigeria, Botswana, Tanzania and Algeria. Apart from Nigeria in West Africa, three other countries were randomly selected one each from South, East and North Africa respectively. Juxtaposition of the objectives of VTE in the four countries was made. The study advocated a holistic implementation of policies on VTE in the African continent. Thus, it critically examined the concepts of vocational and technical education, relationship between vocational and technical skills acquisition and peace building in Africa. It also considered the roles of VTE in socio-economic reconstruction in the continent and how VTE engenders peace among the youths. National governments of each nation should give VTE due attention that makes school children and youths acquire work-related and work-based skills which will guarantee their employability after leaving schools rather than being school leavers who lack the required employable skills in the labour market. The study concluded that if this is done, every youth will be gainfully engaged and have no time for idleness and restiveness.

Ethno-Religious Conflicts, Residential Patterns and the Role of Women in Conflict Resolution: The Plateau and Bauchi States Experience

The central thesis of this study is ethno-religious conflicts, residential patterns and the role of women in conflict resolution. The study was limited to Jos North, Jos South, Toro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of Plateau and Bauchi States, Nigeria. Survey design was adopted for this study. Using the multi stage and purposive sampling techniques, 382 respondents emerged as the study sample. Intractable conflict theory was employed to further a better comprehension of the problem. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative data. Regression and ANOVA statistical techniques were employed to test the hypotheses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26). The study among others revealed that: a major cause of the ethno-religious conflicts in the study areas that influenced residential segregations, is religion intolerance. The study also revealed the role of women in peace building and conflict resolution in the mixed residential areas of the study. The study recommends resourceful and revitalizing ways through which the protracted ethno-religious conflicts in Plateau and Bauchi States in particular and Nigeria in general, can be stemmed in order to allow for the emergence of peaceful mixed residential patterns.

The politics and pitfalls of academic enthusiasm in peace building: examining researchers’ role in a rural education development project in Colombia

ABSTRACT This article is an effort to unveil how colonialism gets inscribed in research education initiatives during peace-building. To this end, we look behind the scenes of an education development project that sought to support a rural school in consolidating high-quality education during Colombia’s recent peace process. We examine how, in our roles as principal investigator and research assistant, our enthusiasm inadvertently contributed to perpetuating the colonial rule of the state in an area traditionally controlled by revolutionary groups. To do so, we follow the project from its design and negotiation to the delivery of results. By depicting how enthusiasm may shape a researcher’s reasoning, we aim to complicate our understanding of the research process and the enthusiasm that underpins peace efforts.

Peace Culture in School: Analyzing the Wahid Foundation's Peace School Program

This article aims to describe the practice of building a peace culture in schools that are packaged through the Wahid Foundation peace school program. This study used a descriptive qualitative method, in which data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. The researcher interviewed the facilitator of the peace school program at DKI Jakarta. Observation and documentation were carried out during the implementation of peace school program activities in narrating building peace culture in School. According to this research, the Wahid Foundation's narrative of the culture of peace was based on the widespread acts of intolerance, bullying, and radicalism that started to appear in educational institutions. This program was established to help with the management of student organizations, the development of school regulations, and the practice of tolerance and peace. Routine study plans, calming social media posts, and insightful online chats were all used to assist. The eventual aim of the Wahid Foundation's peace school program is to nurture students' character by teaching them to respect, value, and be sensitive to others, as well as to make them ambassadors of peace both within and outside of the classroom.

A walk down the path of benevolence: Sport and international development from a Scandinavian horizon

ABSTRACT The ‘Sport for Development and Peace’ (SDP) sector emerged during the twenty-first century, which conceptualizes sport´s contribution to international development. Two Scandinavian SDP programmes serve as examples in this article: LdB FC for Life in South Africa (football and HIV/AIDS prevention) and Open Fun Football Schools in Moldova (football and peace building). Although there is a growing body of research highlighting a correlation between sport and socio-political benefits, it is acknowledged that more needs to be done to understand this connection and the impact sport can have. Furthermore, many SDP initiatives fail to translate ideas into action. Consequently, this illustrates a discrepancy between intention and implementation. On this basis, the aim of this paper is to analyse LdB FC for Life and Open Fun Football Schools from the initiators’, sponsors’, and donors’ perspectives. Accordingly, it seeks to explore the relationship between rhetoric and practice surrounding both projects.

Nationalism as an Obstacle to Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Processes in Georgia

The article seeks to explore the impact of nationalism on Georgia’s ethno-territorial conflicts and its negative role in conflict transformation and peace building processes. By looking at fundamental differences and contradictions between Georgian, Abkhaz and Ossetian national projects, article claims that Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts were unavoidable. It also discusses all key arguments and counterarguments of conflicting parties, such as discrepancies in rethinking the history, demographic expansion, attempt of assimilation, linguistic politics, etc. When nationalism becomes key trigger of conflict and mistrust between the parties, the ground for external intervention is convenient to use existing situation and strengthen its influence in a country or region. In Georgian ethno-territorial conflicts, this destructive external power was Russian Federation. Hence, disagreement between Georgian, Abkhaz and Ossetian national projects as well as Russia’s destructive engagement and declaration of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, postpones conflict resolution and complicates peace building processes.

Multicultural education: Teachers’ perceptions in Hosanna College of Education, southern nations, nationalities, and peoples’ region (SNNPR), Ethiopia

This study was intended to explore how the perceptions of teachers affect multicultural education (MCE) in diversified classrooms at Hosanna College of Education. A descriptive textual narration with a qualitative case study and purposive sampling research design were employed in this study. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used to collect data. The respondents were teachers at Hosanna College of Education. The findings confirmed that the perceptions of teachers were positive toward the teaching of a diverse student population. This is to say that it was evident that teachers felt a desire to provide experiences for their students to help them understand cultural diversity. Inevitably, the study acknowledged that MCE is crucial for nation-wide integration through peace building and sustaining progressive development. However, teachers had no sufficient skills and motivation to investigate studies to encourage and promote MCE because of the reluctant commitment of the College administration. Due to the absence of a strategic plan and a lack of purposeful preparation and content selection for the modular curriculum, the dimensions of MCE were not applied and incorporated into the curriculum as required. As MCE and diversity are not yet meaningfully implemented, it is recommended that teachers, regional education bureaus, policymakers, and the MoE should play a decisive role in efficiently enhancing diversity and tackle the acute problems related to MCE.

WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY – ADVOCACY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF UN RESOLUTION 1325

“Where women are full participants of politics or economy, societies are more likely to succeed – former US President Obama”
 
 The recent war by Russia on Ukraine has thrown up many issues to the forefront and peace and security occupying an important place. The devastations and the human loss that has incurred are unimaginable and horrific for women. Though threats of war was seen in many circumstances, it was not possible due to the former Soviet Union’s position and stand post world war II. However, it is unfortunate that in the present case, it’s the Russian Imperialistic tendency that has led to the war. In this context, it becomes vital to consider the UNSCR 1325 which advocates both war’s adverse effects in general and women in particular and women’s important contributions to peace and security. Yet, despite this resolution being passed women are underrepresented in the peace building process and negotiations worldwide. This article examines the role of women in peace and security process both in conflict situations and post conflict reconciliation as described in UNSCR 1325.

Membangun Perdamaian Pasca Konflik


 After the peace agreement, Indonesia is now in the post-conflict era and many conflicts in various regions of Indonesia have decreased. Democratization and decentralization bring about improvements in social, economic and security conditions in society. This paper discusses post-conflict challenges in various regions of Indonesia. The main focus of this paper is approaches and strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding in order to build a foundation for peace to achieve consolidation of peace and sustainable development. economics, education and law. The third sector is the main focus of development in order to overcome the root of the conflict. As well as the establishment of institutions (FKUB), FKDM and FPK, as a responsive step by the government in detecting social conflicts in society. The success of all levels of post-conflict management is still dominated by the state, and this is the weakness of the post-conflict management being carried out, due to the dominance of state actors, with minimal involvement/involvement from civil society.
 Keywords: post conflict; peace building; sustainable development

Roof politics: the materiality of interpellation

In 2010, the Rwandan government rolled out a mandatory roof modernisation programme to replace grass thatch on every house and outbuilding in Rwanda. The initiative was ostensibly one of shelter modernisation, but rather more embedded in post-genocide nation and peace building. The paper considers Louis Althusser’s concept of ‘interpellation’ as a useful framework for understanding how the Rwandan government established relationships between architectural aesthetics, sovereignty, and peace. Ethnographic research with state ministries and interviews with rural residents reveal the ideological basis for those connections — how aesthetics regulated values and the reception of the programme by ordinary Rwandans. Historical research substantiates the persistent use of architecture aesthetics as a medium of interpellation mobilised previously in the name of morality, health, and modernity, and most recently, peace.

Problem of Child Recruitment and Use During Conflicts and Peace Building Processes: The Colombian Case

Çocukların, dünya üzerinde devam eden çatışmalardan etkilenmeleri ve silahlı gruplar tarafından devşirilerek kullanılmaları, uluslararası toplumun en acil sorunlarındandır. Yaklaşık 60 yıldan fazladır devam eden Kolombiya İç Savaşı örneğinde de milyonlarca çocuk çatışmaların kurbanı olmuş ve silahlı aktörler tarafından kullanılmıştır ve kullanılmaya devam etmektedir. Bu çalışma, Kolombiya’daki çatışmanın muhtemel seyri, çatışmanın çözümü ve barışın tesisi için odaklanılması gereken en önemli hususlarından biri olan çocuk savaşçılar sorununa dair bir analiz sunmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, çalışma, çocuk savaşçılar kavramı ve ilgili yaklaşımları ele almaktadır. Daha sonra, çalışmada, Kolombiya İç Savaşı’nda çözüm süreci ve barış tesisi girişimlerinde çocuk savaşçılar sorununa yönelik değerlendirmelerde bulunulmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, çalışma, Kolombiya örneğinin birçok eksiklik ve başarısızlığa rağmen bugün gelinen noktada çatışmanın sonlandırılması, savaşta kullanılan ve silah bırakan çocukların toplumla yeniden bütünleştirilmesi için birçok fırsat barındırdığını ve dünyaya örnek teşkil edecek uygulamalar sunduğunu savunmaktadır.

Peace-Building Mechanism Among the Widikum of the Bamenda Grasslands, Cameroon, 1870-2014

The quest for sustainable peace is the primary objective of every nation or society. For any society to progress, peaceful co-existence become imperative. This article examines peace building mechanisms employed by peace actors in efforts to promote peace among the Widikum of the Bamenda Grasslands,Cameroon. Though several actors to promote peace have been deployed to scale down the multifaceted land and or chieftaincy conflict in the area under study, their efforts have registered limited success as the conflicts kept resurfacing after peace agreement because most peace effort were constructed from “top to bottom” rather than from “bottom to top” to include the indigenous mechanisms, their custom and tradition and primarily the failure to use powerful and skilful experts as mediators. Both primary and secondary sources were used in the writing of this article. An analysis of the data reveals that the British approach was the best for using alternative methods of both conventional and indigenous mechanisms. The British scale down the chieftaincy and or land conflicts,as justice was dispensed based on the native custom and tradition and sustainable peace was observed.

Community-Based Health Interventions Are Critical for Peace Building in the Worsening Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT) continue to expand and there is little communication between the 2 sides. Countries not directly engaged in the conflict are uninterested in a dignified solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This article argues that international organizations, donors, and third states should encourage the following peace-building approaches when considering health care initiatives in this conflict. The first is community oriented lay-led initiatives which should improve health outcomes, enhance the ability of Palestinians to develop resilience and promote peace-building between Israelis and Palestinians. Secondly, this strengthening can, in the absence of the impact of international advocacy for a dignified solution to this long-standing conflict, lead to locally driven peace-building while measurably improving health.

China’s changing engagement in global peace building and conflict resolution: drivers and trends

The study aims at providing an in-depth analysis of the drivers of China’s peace building engagement and examining the interactive nature of the various drivers and factors that played remarkable role in increasing China’s economic rise and leadership in the international system. To approach the study goals, descriptive-analytical method has been employed along with Hudson’s foreign policy analysis through which China’s aims and motivations of engaging in peace building are illustrated. The paper concludes that China seeks to shape its great power leadership and identity where the case studies revealed that China’s economic engagement as part of its peace building efforts is increasingly being driven by Chinese great power status and geostrategic security interests. Simultaneously, as seen in the Darfur War, Myanmar, Mali, South Sudan, and Afghanistan, China’s policy towards conflict zones has undergone a tangible and salient transition from one of avoidance to one of increasing interest and engagement

EXPLAINING ELECTION AS A CURSE TO DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA: REFLECTIONS FROM SOME SELECTED AFRICAN COUNTRIES

There is no gainsaying that lawful, peaceful and credible elections are the invaluable ingredients for democratic deepening and consolidation. It is also seen as an indispensable feature of democratic governance, a source of legitimacy enjoyed by the government and to a considerable degree it also establishes the height of political development of a given polity. And more importantly, election is also conceived as a mechanism of peace building; it serves as a medium of peaceful resolution of societal political differences and preferences while at the same time building citizen’s trust in the capacity of collective decisions and institutions to govern. However, in most African transitory and ailing democracies such as Kenya, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire, elections are now becoming a source of credible threat to democratic sustenance, stability and governance. Elections in these polities are devoid of democratic ingredients; they are rather fraudulent, lawless, destructive and violent in nature. This obviously cannot enthrone stable and sustainable democratic systems. Thus, this paper interrogates the dangers and damage these illegal, unsecured and undemocratic elections pose to the democratization processes and political systems in Africa. To achieve the purpose of the study, the paper mainly drew its data from secondary sources and based in inferences from selected African countries argued that if these affected countries fail to reconfigure and democratize their electoral processes and systems, elections will remain a formidable threat to the democratization process and governance process and state systems of these societies.

Understanding Cypriot youth views on peace: bottom-up experiences of everyday peace

ABSTRACT Youth views and their engagement within practices of everyday peace(building) are paramount to fostering peace, despite the deadlocks at the elite level negotiations. This article provides a bottom-up approach that recognizes the agency and potency of youth in ‘everyday peace’ by providing a voice to marginalized Cypriot youth. The semi-structured interview findings highlight that the views that Cypriot youth harbour on peace diverge from elite views and focus on societal and practical needs. Accordingly, Cypriot youth’s understanding of peace converges around three interrelated main themes – social cohesion, no discrimination and hatred, and unrestricted freedom of movement – based on frequency in expansive series of youth interviews. This article argues that youth’s priorities and responses bespeak their meaningful contributions to peace through their everyday actions.