August 2015

Research this month

Turning the humanitarian system on its head

In many cases, especially in smaller crises, humanitarian response that is conducted and led by local people and organizations—governments in countries affected by crises, assisted and held accountable by local civil societies—is faster and often more appropriate, and thus saves more lives.

Turning the humanitarian system on its head, from Oxfam, calls for a change in the humanitarian system to give greater support to locally-led initiatives. The paper highlights how little assistance local actors receive from the international system - less than 2% of world spending on humanitarian assistance between 2007 and 2013 - and looks at how to create a global system where locally-led is the default.

Localising humanitarianism: improving effectiveness through inclusive action

While contributing to humanitarian action in immense ways, national/state institutions and local organisations have often been kept at arm’s length by the international humanitarian community.

Localising humanitarianism, from ODI, looks at the the roles national and local actors play in the humanitarian system. The paper finds that national and local actors often have significant comparative advantages over international actors, yet are an underutilised part of the global system. The paper recommends ways to overcome the obstacles preventing greater local ownership.

Meta-review of inter-religious peacebuilding evaluations

Despite [the] interest and research however, engagement with religious communities still has not recognized its full potential as a key factor in development and peacebuilding. Part of this is based on a lack of understanding about how to effectively integrate this work into broader effort.

Meta-review of inter-religious peacebuilding evaluations, from CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, examines the current trends in, and quality of, evaluations of inter-religious peacebuilding. The paper highlights some key strengths and weaknesses in the evaluations. Recommendations are given on how to improve such evaluations and, in doing so, strengthen the evidence base for inter-religious peacebuilding.

Territorial peacebuilding in Colombia: the opportunity to do what has not been achieved before?

Throughout the country, and particularly in conflict-affected regions, the territorial peacebuilding discourse has inspired local agenda-building exercises, often driven by civil society. Compared to past attempts, territorial peacebuilding will likely thrive on important opportunities, most notably the contents of a possible peace agreement, the momentum that will probably accompany its implementation and the competencies acquired during decades of civil-society-driven peacebuilding in the country’s regions.

In ongoing peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC rebels, the term "territorial peacebuilding" has emerged to describe how different parts of Colombia have suffered differently from the conflict, and therefore require different strategies to build sustainable peace. Territorial peacebuilding in Colombia, from NOREF, explores the concept in detail, asking what are the chances of success of this approach and looking at the role for civil society.

2015 state of civil society report

To support civil society response to emergencies, there is a need to promote more enabling conditions for civil society as a whole, nurture deep connections between CSOs and communities, and encourage international CSOs to develop stronger local partnerships.

The State of civil society report, from Civicus, is an annual examination of the state of civil society around the world. The report highlights the work of civil society in areas such as peacebuilding and humanitarian assistance. As well as successes, the report looks at the challenges facing civil society, from a lack of resources to attacks from armed groups and the state.

From the blog

The hidden war in Yemen

By Ahmed Hezam Al-Yemeni: With every passing day of conflict, more problems are being created for the future in Yemen, says Ahmed Al-Yemeni. Read more »