Local and national ownership in post-conflict Liberia

Local and national ownership in post-conflict Liberia looks at peacekeeping operations in Liberia and argues the distinction between the foreign and local is blurred. By looking at the actual practice in Liberian ministries to find what people understand as local ownership. they conclude that local ownership is inherently problematic and local perspective is perhaps more important.

DDR in Sudan: too little, too late?

In DDR in Sudan (pdf), the Small Arms Survey critically examine the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process in Sudan. The report looks at both the design and implementation of the programme, where it has succeeded or faced problems, and whether it is achieving what was set out to be done. The report ends with a look at the future of the programme after independence for South Sudan in July 2011.

Peacemaking in Asia and the Pacific: women’s participation, perspectives, priorities

In Peacemaking in Asia and the Pacific (pdf), the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue look at the role women have played in peacemaking processes in Asia and the South Pacific. Through a number of case studies, the report finds that women are present in most cases, but their contributions are too often at the margins – they rarely make it to the negotiating table. This means that a gendered approach to the resolving the conflict is often lacking.

Civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict

In this report (pdf) the Senior Advisory Group to the UN Secretary General discuss civilian capacity for peacebuilding following a conflict. The group presents recommendations as to how UN operations can be structured to better promote the use of civilian capacity.

The World Development Report 2011: conflict, security, and development

This year's World Bank World Development Report (WDR) looks at the relationship between conflict, security, and development. Protracted violence is a major obstacle to development - on average poverty rates are 20% higher in conflict affected countries - and countries affected by violence are most likely to fall back in to violence again. This year's WDR looks in detail at how cycles of violence can be broken.

Missed opportunities: the impact of DDR on SSR in Afghanistan

This report from USIP examines the impact of DDR on security sector reform (SSR) in Afghanistan. Finding the process flawed, it offers some conclusions and recommendations as to how DDR can be better managed in future post-conflict situations so that it may better promote SSR.

Urgent appeal: Support for the Peace Community San José de Apartadó

The Colombian Peace Community San José de Apartadó is again massively under threat on various levels. In such situations we’ve often experienced that international attention can save the live of innocent people. Giving a few minutes of our time can have an important effect.

From the blog

  • Alex Jacobs discusses the results of the first Keystone Partner Survey  - a ground-breaking initiative to measure the performance of northern NGOs. Read more >>>
  • Charles Martin-Shields from TechChange gives an overview of the SwiftRiver platform. Read more >>>
  • Hasan Dodwell reports from the Citizens' Assembly for Truth in Putamayo, Colombia. Read more >>>
  • Zahid Shahab Ahmed asks what is the likelihood of a mass movement in Pakistan, of the kind we have seen in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Libya? Read more >>>
  • The idea that peace needs to be build up from the grassroots is valid, but how can you talk about peace when the enemy has no clear objective and kills seemingly at random? Who can you talk with when Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA, hides in the jungle in the borders of Central African Republic and DR Congo? What does a comprehensive peace agreement mean when your sons are abducted, your wife raped and your father killed? Read more >>>
  • Kate McGuinness asks whether Germany want to be a mid-sized USA or a big Switzerland in its foreign policy. Read more >>>
  • Catherine Dempsey from PAX explains what the project is and how they hope to become a neutral and trusted resource for alerts on impending conflicts. Read more >>>
  • Ambika Pokhrel reports on an emerging coalition of civil society and political workers for peace in Nepal. Read more >>>