Research this month
Rising powers and the future of peacekeeping and peacebuilding
In general, one could perhaps say that the rising powers support and encourage the shift towards localising peacekeeping and peacebuilding capacities. This trend fits well with the stated emphasis BRICS members place on the need to respect national sovereignty and national ownership, something they see as crucial to increasing the chances for successful conflict resolution.
Rising powers and the future of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, from the Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre, asks how the world's rising powers - such as India, South Africa, and Brazil - might influence international peacebuilding and peacekeeping. The paper argues that, although countries are not interested in a radical overturning of the established order, they may be keen to push international peacebuilding towards greater local ownership and contextualised approaches.
New technologies for peace and development
The empowerment of people to participate in localized conflict management efforts is one of the most significant innovations and opportunities created by new technologies. Technology can contribute to peacebuilding processes by offering tools that foster collaboration, transform attitudes, and give a stronger voice to communities.
This special collection from Stability: International Journal of Security & Development explores how new technologies are enabling new approaches in peacebuilding and development. Articles include research on how mobile phones can prevent violence, the potential of machine learning in conflict prediction, and mapping atrocities.
Conflict minerals initiatives in DR Congo: perceptions of local mining communities
A number of issues ... need to be addressed to ensure the success of a possible EU initiative on responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. These issues include the need for local ownership, the question of political will, formalisation, lack of information in the field, and a lack of capacity to implement initiatives in the mining sector.
Conflict minerals initiatives in DR Congo, from the International Peace Information Service, looks at how attempts to tackle the issue of 'conflict minerals' - exploitation of mineral wealth by armed groups to finance conflict - have impacted local communities in DR Congo that relied on mining as a significant source of income.
Election fraud and post-election conflict: evidence from the Philippines
Our results suggest that election monitoring could help to dampen post-election unrest. In addition, they suggest that future election monitoring should not focus on presidential and congressional races to the exclusion of local races if the goal is to reduce post-election violence.
Election fraud and post-election conflict, from the Households in Conflict Network, examines the relationship between electoral fraud and post-election violence. Using evidence from the Phillipines' 2007 mayoral elections, the paper argues that electoral fraud is causally linked to increased chances of post-election violence.
Sectarianism in the Middle East
A five part series from USIP looking at sectarianism in the Middle East. Particular attention is given to the impact that the conflict in Syrian has had across the region. The five articles are:
- The reluctant sectarianism of foreign states in the Syrian conflict, which analyses regional sectarianism and dynamics related to the Syrian conflict.
- Syria’s sectarian ripples across the Gulf, which looks at how the Syrian crisis has affected the Gulf Arab states.
- Sunni-Shia relations after the Iraq War, which looks at the Iraq war’s impact on Sunni-Shia relations.
- Sectarianism in Lebanon and Syria, which assesses how the conflict in Syria has influenced sectarianism in Lebanon.
- The Syrian conflict’s impact on Lebanese politics, which examines the impact of the Syrian conflict on political stability in Lebanon.
Conflict trends 2013/3
The latest issue of Conflict Trends, from ACCORD, includes articles on the role of civil society in delivering security and justice in Liberia, inter-ethnic conflict in South Sudan, and achieving gender equality through political parties.
From the blog
Data for development: serving local needs and demands
Are you local?
By Roger Mac Ginty: Roger Mac Ginty considers the assumptions and prejudices that often lie behind ‘local’ and ‘international’ Read more »
Yarmouk camp: Local pressure for peace mounts in Syria’s civil war
By Euan Brown: In the chaos of Syria’s civil war local peacebuilders are finding ways to bring respite for tired civilians from suffering and danger. Read more »
Can global development and local peacebuilding work together?
By Jaimie Grant: As the deadline for the UN Millennium Development Goals approaches, what opportunities are there for local peacebuilding organisations? Read more »
The right to the truth: how is Rwanda dealing with the legacies of its past?
By Katherine Conway: The Gacaca courts in Rwanda: What role can memory and truth play in rebuilding communities after genocide? Read more »
Non-violent resistance in Jeju, South Korea
By Carole Reckinger: Since 2007, this small village in South Korea has led a non-violent resistance against the construction of a naval base next door to a UNESCO reserve. Read more »
Extremist Buddhists target Muslims in Sri Lanka, but impunity prevails.
By Anonymous: Sri Lankan Muslims are the victims of a systematic hate campaign. But the government, once again, is condoning violence. Read more »
What is the biggest challenge facing Pakistan? An interview with Anwar Akhtar
By Insight on Conflict: An extract from an interview with Anwar Akhtar, from Pakistan Calling, a film project promoting cross cultural dialogue. Read more »
