Conflict

International, regional and UK government responses to conflict

Efforts to prevent and manage conflict based on multilateralism and co-operation have become increasingly important since the end of the Cold War. Regional organisations and the United Nations are rapidly increasing their capacities in this area. Conflicts causes and dynamics often operate across countries, therefore requiring international responses.

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Where is a good place to start?

The following briefing introduces ideas behind regional and international approaches to conflict prevention, describing regional African initiatives and the policies of the EU.

Alexander, L., Higazi, A. Mackie, J. et al., 2003, Regional Approaches to Conflict Prevention in Africa. European Support to African Processes, ECDPM In Brief 4, Maastricht
The situation is ripe for enhancing regional approaches to conflict prevention in Africa. This paper, published by the European Centre for Development Policy Management and International Alert, argues that the EU should adopt a broader view of regional conflict prevention by involving all stakeholders including civil society, local and multinational business and parliamentarians. A more integrated strategy is required to ensure a holistic and mutually-reinforcing approach at continental, regional, national and local levels. 
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Regional approaches to conflict management

Regional networks may be the most effective and legitimate external actors for conflict management. Conflicts often involve regional causes and dynamics such as insecurity and poor governance in neighbouring countries, the presence of cross-border rebel groups, and regional illegal or grey trading networks. Regional cooperation institutions, such as the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union (AU), have increasingly begun to work to promote peace and stability. Approaches range from diplomacy, to peacekeeping, to regional cooperation over infrastructure and regional public goods.

The following paper highlights the challenges to building regional 'security communities' in Africa, and outlines innovative sub-regional conflict prevention approaches.

Shaw, T., 2003, Conflict and Peacebuilding in Africa: The Regional Dimensions, WIDER Discussion Paper No. 2003/10
What are the patterns of conflict in African wars? What role do non-state actors play in these conflicts? This paper for the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER) analyses and compares regional conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. The author argues that the causes and characteristics of Africa’s conflicts are heterogeneous. Continental perspectives need to be replaced by regional ones in order to develop policies for peace.
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The NEPAD African Peer Review Mechanism is designed to promote stability, economic growth and good governance.

Cilliers, J., 2003, Peace and Security through Good Governance; A Guide to the Nepad African Peer Review Mechanism, Institute for Security Studies Occasional Paper No. 70, Institute for Security Studies
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This paper examines how policymakers can respond to destabilising regional economic trading networks.

Studdard, K., 2004, War Economies in a Regional Context: Overcoming the Challenges of Transformation, International Peace Academy, New York
What is the relationship between the regional dimensions of war economies and peacebuilding in post-conflict situations? This report, published by the International Peace Academy, argues that the failure to consider the regional dynamics of war economies undermines peacebuilding efforts. Policy-makers should distinguish between economic activities that pose a threat to peace processes and activities that contribute to social and economic stability. Certain informal regional economic activities that are presently ignored or criminalised should be incorporated into peacebuilding and reconstruction strategies. 
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The international community

An increasingly popular phrase to describe the collection of organisations, mechanisms, and relationships through which the international community manages conflict is the 'International conflict architecture'. Although there is consensus that the current system is failing to prevent or manage conflict adequately, there remains controversy over how the system should be reformed. International responses to conflict and insecurity may help to reduce conflict, but they can also aggravate conflict dynamics. There are challenges over the legitimacy of interventions, and over coordination and competing agendas between different external actors. The resources below address various forms of international intervention, including diplomatic, developmental assistance, peacekeeping and military intervention. They cover a range of actors, including the UN, the EU, NATO and individual country governments.

The concept of the 'Responsibility to Protect' was developed with the aim of addressing tensions between human rights, state sovereignty and legitimacy of military intervention. Like most attempts to redesign the international conflict architecture, this proposal is controversial. For example, disagreements remain over how best to balance the need to respond effectively and quickly to the threat of genocide, with the need to avoid inappropriate or unjustified invasion.

International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, 2001, ‘The Responsibility to Protect’, International Development Research Centre, Ottawa
When, if ever, is it appropriate for states to take coercive - and in particular military - action, against another state for the purpose of protecting people at risk in that other state? This paper, by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, argues that where a population is suffering serious harm and the state in question is unwilling or unable to halt or avert it, the principle of non-intervention yields to the international responsibility to protect. 
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Brahimi, L. et al 2000, 'Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations', United Nations, New York
This report commissioned by the UN Secretary-General assesses the shortcomings of the existing peacekeeping system and makes recommendations for change. Force alone cannot create peace; it can only create the space in which peace may be built. Member states have to summon the political will to support the UN politically, financially and operationally to enable the United Nations to be truly credible as a force for peace. 
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The following two UN reports are some of the most recent policy statements concerning the future of the international conflict architecture.

United Nations, 2004, 'A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility', Report of the Secretary-General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, United Nations
The changes that have taken place in the world since the Millennium Declaration demand that consensus be revitalised on key challenges and priorities. What are these and how can they best be achieved? This report, by United Nations Secretariat, suggests that security, development and human rights must be advanced together, otherwise none will succeed. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be met by 2015, but only if all governments dramatically increase their efforts.
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UN Secretary-General, 2005, 'In Larger Freedom. Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All', Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, United Nations     
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This conference report explores the record and potential of the UN, EU and NATO in international peace operations.

Luckham, R., 2004, The International Community and State Reconstruction in War-torn Societies, Journal of Conflict, Security and Development, Vol. 4, No. 3
What are the problems of state-reconstruction in war-torn societies? This paper from the Journal of Conflict, Security and Development, examines the role of international actors in the hugely ambitious project of rebuilding states after war. The study argues that the traditional linear model of conflict progression as pre-, during, and post-conflict, with attendant progression from relief to reconstruction and development, is too simplistic. Effective interventions must take account of individual contexts, have national "buy-in", and must be founded on good political and moral principles to gain legitimacy.
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The following is one of the most comprehensive studies of the international community's response to a conflict, encompassing the response before, during and after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Danida, 1996, The International Response to Conflict and Genocide: Lessons from the Rwanda Experience, Vol. 1-5, Danida
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The following reviews UN operations in Afghanistan, East Timor, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.

Darendorf, N., 2003 A Review of Peace Operations: A Case for Change, Kings College, London
In 2000, The Brahimi Report made recommendations for improving peace operations, but insufficient progress has taken place since. This synthesis report from the Conflict, Security and Development Group at Kings College London explores why this is the case. The report is based on a comprehensive review of three core peace operations in East Timor, Kosovo and Sierra Leone, as well as insights from ongoing operations in Afghanistan. It argues that whilst the continuing relevance of the Brahimi Report needs to be recognised, it does have limitations in light of developments on the ground.
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It is generally acknowledged that conflict impacts women and men differently. Women account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict, highlighting the special needs of women and girls in conflict contexts. It is also becoming increasingly recognised that women have a significant role to play in the prevention, management and resolution of violent conflict. In 2000, the UN passed Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security which has placed the issue of women and armed conflict on the international agenda.

The following UNIFEM document presents guidelines for incorporating a gender perspective into the transformative processes that follow conflict.

United Nations Development Fund for Women, 2005, ‘Securing the Peace: Guiding the International Community towards Women’s Effective Participation throughout Peace Processes’, UNIFEM, New York
How and why should women be involved in peace processes? This paper from the United Nations Development Fund for Women highlights the importance of involving women at every stage of peace negotiations and gives recommendations for how this might be achieved in practice. It argues that when approaching the task of ending war, the stakes are too high to neglect the resources that women have to offer.
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UK Government approaches

The British Government is working on new and emerging approaches to conflict, security and development, and fragile states. This section provides the latest policy statements and strategy documents in this area.

The Cabinet Office has produced the following paper mapping the causes of instability and developing a strategic response.

Prime Minister's Strategy Document, 2005, 'Investing in Prevention. An International Strategy to Manage the Risks of Instability and Improve Crisis Response', a PMSU Report to the UK Government, London
How can the UK improve its strategic approach to countries at risk of instability? This paper from the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit outlines the challenges and risks of instability. It identifies practical steps the UK Government can take to improve its prevention and response strategies in partnership with other international actors. It argues that more effective action will require common or aligned strategic approaches across all countries and key international agencies
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DFID's strategy document on security and development:

Department for International Development, 2005, 'Fighting Poverty to Build a Safer World: A Strategy for Security and Development', DFID, London
What is the link between security and development? What is the best way to achieve both? This strategy paper by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) outlines how DFID, through its commitment to fighting poverty, can help tackle insecurity among the poor. It explains the complex connections between security and development and sets out how DFID can build security by working with poor people, their governments and international partners.
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The UK Government has developed a joined-up approach to dealing with conflict-affected countries. The Global Conflict Prevention Pool and the Africa Conflict Prevention Pools are jointly managed by DFID, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Department for International Development, 2004, 'Evaluation of the Conflict Prevention Pools. Synthesis Report', DFID Evaluation Report, London
How effective has the UK Governments approach to conflict prevention been through the Conflict Prevention Pools (CPPs)? What lessons have been learned and what recommendations are there for the way forward? This Evaluation Report, prepared for the Department for International Development, offers the first evaluation of the CPPs based on consultation between the various departments and conflict prevention teams.
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DFID's latest policy statement on working in 'fragile states':

Department for International Development, 2005, 'Why We Need to Work More Effectively in Fragile States', DFID, London
Why has aid not reduced poverty in fragile states? Why do donors need to work more effectively in fragile states, and how should they go about this? This policy paper from the Department for International Development (DFID) brings together the latest analysis from DFID and others on how to make development more effective in fragile states. It sets out some objectives and makes commitments about how DFID will work differently in the future.
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Additional information resources

African Union (AU)

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford
This university department has a Centre for International Cooperation and Security.

Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria
This research institute carries out research, consultancies and training on security and justice issues, including regional approaches working across Southern Africa.

International IDEA, Stockholm
International IDEA is an inter-governmental organisation that seeks to promote democracy across the world, through research, training and capacity development, and the production of tools for practitioners. It works on post-conflict democracy and transitional justice.

International Peace Academy, US
IPA is an independent, international institution aiming to promote the prevention and settlement of armed conflicts through policy research and development. IPA has a completed programme on UN, NATO and other regional actors in the 21st century and on strengthening regional approaches to peace operations.

The OECD DAC Network on Conflict, Peace and Development Co-operation
This is an international forum working on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, involving experts from bilateral and multilateral development agencies, including from the UN system, EC, IMF and World Bank.

United Nation's Department of Peace Keeping Operations
This web site has a section on resources from the best practices unit, and details of all current missions.

UN Department for Political Affairs (DPA)
This web site addresses issues such as conflict prevention, peace building, and Security Council Affairs, and includes detailed information on the activities and reports of UN agencies.

UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR)
The UNDP's BCPR has a webpage on Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, which outlines its conflict-sensitive approach and includes a short document on conflict analysis.

UK Conflict Prevention Pools
DFID's website hosts the GCPP evaluation documents. The FCO has a conflict prevention pools web page, including a CPP strategy document.

UK Government Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit
This interdepartmental unit was created to build the UK Government's capacity to deal with post conflict stabilisation.

West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP)
WANEP is a regional network of peacebuilding initiatives in West Africa.

Working Group on Women, Peace and Security
This project monitors and works toward rapid and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

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