Governance and peacebuilding

Reconciliation, reform and resilience: Positive peace for Lebanon (Accord 24) - English version

Jul 2012

Lebanon’s model of post-war power sharing and liberal economic growth has been widely praised. But it has failed to deliver for most Lebanese. Repeated outbreaks of political violence since the 1989 Taif Peace Agreement, and today fear of spillover from insecurity in Syria, show that a fundamentally different approach is needed to transform negative and precarious stability in Lebanon into positive and resilient peace.

Can the London conference on Somalia get it right?

Can the London conference on Somalia succeed this time where others have failed? After a year in which large swathes of Somalia have been hit by famine and continued war, and international militarisation has markedly increased, the UK government’s initiative to host an international conference on Somalia on 23 February is welcome. But lessons must be learnt from past mistakes. Ahead of the conference, Mark Bradbury makes the case that support should be given to local Somali-led solutions that promote legitimacy and participation.

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Tutaka: CCF Fiji newsletter

May 2013

The quarterly newsletter of the Citizens' Constitutional Forum, Fiji

Volume 7, Issue 1: April 2013 - download full PDF via link above

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Event: Fiji’s constitutional stand-off – consequences for inter-ethnic relations

Apr 2013

This seminar in London on Wednesday 24 April 2013 will bring together policymakers, academics and representatives of non-governmental organisations with a special interest in Fiji.

The findings of CCF and MRG's new report Fiji: the Challenges and Opportunities of Diversity – based on field research into ethnic relations and anti-discrimination measures in Fiji – will be presented at the event.

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Central African Republic: Peace talks without talks. A new model of perpetuating violent conflicts?

UNHCR warns of risks to civilians in Central African Republic as refugee numbers rise. Some of those previously displaced by the conflict are pictured. ©UNHCR/H.Caux

In January 2013 it took just three days for the Seleka Coalition and the Government of the Central African Republic to reach a peace agreement. Kennedy Tumutegyereize and Nicolas Tillon of Conciliation Resources' East and Central Africa programme analyse what the prospects are for sustainable peace without wide public participation.

Turning up the volume on dialogue and governance in West Africa

Moving on from years of instability and addressing the tensions that drive conflict is a significant governance challenge in the Mano River Union region. At a recent workshop, participants in District Platforms for Dialogue shared experiences from three countries on how they're working to affect positive change in their borderland communities.

‘Living in a pressure cooker situation’ A needs assessment of youth in India-administered Kashmir

Dec 2012

At a time when young people worldwide are recognised for taking the lead in changing their societies, this participatory research is aimed at finding the perception and level of awareness of Kashmiri youth about their rights and duties. It also examines the social and political change they want to see, and what they need to effect this change in Kashmir.

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East & Central Africa: Security & conflict trends in 2012

While the media spotlight occasionally shone brightly on the LRA conflict during 2012, throughout the year the four countries affected by the ongoing violence continued to feel its impact to varying degrees. Reviewing trends, we suggest that peace can be found where top-down and bottom-up approaches meet.

Côte d’Ivoire: ‘The more you talk about it, the more you see what’s possible’

Lack of basic services and disruption at border areas is fostering disharmony in West Africa. Following a fact-finding visit to communities in Côte d’Ivoire, Janet Adama Mohammed reflects on the issues they face as they attempt to rebuild after conflict. Working together, and with imagination and cooperation, local people can focus their energies collectively on alternatives to violence.

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Post-election Georgia: working to turn the dream of peace into reality

The democratic election of the Georgian Dream coalition could signal a new departure for peace prospects in the region. Rachel Clogg notes that there are clearly many challenges ahead – a resolution of the conflicts will mean taking risks, accepting compromise, and finding the patience to build a step-by-step strategy.

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