Connect and Support Local People Working for Peace

By supporting this project, you are helping to connect and support local people around the world who are working together to build peace - one person at a time. This report has been adapted from this month's Peace Insight Newsletter, which features a selection of the best new research and resources on local peacebuilding worldwide (as chosen by Peace Direct).

Research:

i. Security integration in conflict-affected societies: considerations for Myanmar

In this publication Saferworld draws on the experiences of a number of countries around the world focusing on three themes: sustaining security sector negotiations and making them more inclusive; the institutional features of security sectors in federal countries; and the integration of non-state armed groups with national security bodies. It discusses how Myanmar can effectively learn to employ inclusive peacebuilding as like many divided societies Myanmar has experienced conflict along ethnic and religious fault lines. 

ii. Borderlands and peacebuilding

In the second article, from Conciliation Resources, the subject of interest is building peace across borders with a particular focus on the often forgotten and complex borderland regions and the interests of communities living there. The paper draws on seven case studies to highlight the tendency of policymakers focus on central governments and regions due to access to power and influence. 

iii. Unity and reconciliation in Rwanda

In the third article, International Alert examines the role of social cohesion and peacebuilding efforts in Rwanda. This article specifically analyses community perspectives on how the National Policy on Unity and Reconciliation can be utilised by decision-makers, to address not just the existing gaps within the policy itself, but other conflicts and tensions that continue to hamper unity and reconciliation in the country. 

iv. Caught between two cultures

The final article, from swisspeace, examines how the division and management of aid and aid-related resources in conflict countries can, if not managed properly with a balance of standards and best practice but also respecting and understanding local norms, do more harm than good. The author focuses on South Sudan as a case study where local, traditional social security mechanisms are vital for the survival of South Sudanese in times of crisis and are based on concepts and longstanding practices of mutual support, social obligations and vulnerability that can be seen to conflict with ideals of transparency and accountability.