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Update

The Role of FRIENDS FOR New Publications Update International Alert. PEACE IN NEPAL International Alert. Resource Centres Publications are an important part of our peacebuilding and advocacy In Nepal, Alert has been work. Our toolkits and reports are distributed to many audiences, including Sharing information and creating supporting the Friends for International Alert is an independent partners, colleagues, governments and donors. New titles include: foundations for peace ISSUE #2 APRIL 2006 Peace resource centre since organisation that works to build sustain- Understanding conflict. Building peace. Central Asia: A Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding THE resource centres International Alert 2004 as part of its strategy able peace in areas affected or threatened By Anna Matveeva, February 2006 supports in Nepal, Sao Tome and Principe, of encouraging the peace by violent conflict. Our vision is of a world ISBN 1-898702-74-8 and other conflict regions make up an process between the in which differences are resolved without The first peacebuilding analysis of its kind for Central Asia, the important part of our peacebuilding work. various conflicting parties. resorting to violent conflict. framework provides an in-depth analysis of conflict potential in the By working in partnership to ensure that Through providing tech- region, from which it derives a peacebuilding strategy. local actors and organisations have the nical expertise for future Established in 1986, International Alert has necessary tools, materials and expertise to © International Alert negotiations and encour- 20 years experience specialising in peace- manage societal changes without violence, aging greater participation building and conflict resolution. We work in Corruption and Conflict in the South Caucasus we can support efforts to bring about of civil society organisations, the centre helps establish stronger foundations for some of the world’s worst affected conflict By Natalia Mirimanova, Diana Klein (ed.), January 2006 sustainable peace in different communities. sustainable peace. regions, on more than 40 projects with over ISBN 1-898702-72-1 120 partner organisations. Our main office is This report examines the connections between corruption and Our partner resource centres provide a Friends for Peace is equipped with a library of materials on conflict and peace- in London and our regional work is based in frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus, exploring corruption on neutral space in which people can meet building, computers, a central meeting space, and staff with expertise on West Africa, the Great Lakes region of Africa, all sides. It is the first systematic study of corruption from the and discuss ideas, supplying information peacebuilding and related fields. Led by a group of well-known Nepali leaders, the Caucasus, the Andean region of South perspective of conflict analysis and the first to include the on critical political and social issues, the resource centre works with local and international specialists on specific America, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the unrecognised entities of the region. increasing the confidence of peace activists issues of concern in Nepal and convenes workshops where experiences of other Philippines. We also research and provide and providing direct technical support for peace processes can be shared. It then works to generate informed debate policy recommendations on the role of peace processes. They are long-term around issues of contention, communicating to the public the expertise it has business, humanitarian aid and development, © Fiona Hill Conflict and Project Finance: Exploring Options for the Better resources that we hope will play an sourced from around the world. In this way, Friends for Peace aims to evolve gender, security and post-conflict recon- Management of Conflict Risk important and lasting role in local into a credible, long-term resource to support a transparent peace process. struction in the context of peacebuilding. particularly where foreign businesses are ill- multinationals, it is the local businesses that By Corene Crossin and Jessie Banfield, January 2006 Local Business, peace efforts. ■ informed about a local region and its conflict often play a crucial – and overlooked – role This paper looks at the connections between conflict and Local Peace situation. Recent developments in peace- in contributing to sustainable peace. project finance, and explores how financial institutions may MEDIA CENTRES IN building policy and practice have begun adopt a conflict-sensitive approach to finance. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE SECRETARY GENERAL Case studies from around the world addressing this need for businesses to be Faced with violent conflict, local businesses To support work like this and Dan Smith show business and peacebuilding more conflict-sensitive and companies, in in war-affected countries often find creative our many other projects in Alert has been working in the West in practice turn, are doing a lot to improve the way they ways of coping with and addressing insta- Nepal, Sao Tome and other Biting the Bullet. Promoting effective global action on small arms: African islands of Sao Tome and BOARD OF TRUSTEES work in regions of instability. bility and violence. However, so far, the areas, please consider making a Priorities for the 2006 UN Review Conference Principe since September 2004 Count Claes Cronstadt THERE is a growing awareness that peacebuilding and development communi- donation by filling in a giving By Owen Greene, January 2006 building the capacity of the media, Sir Richard Dales (Vice Chair) economic activities can often have negative But there is more to business and peace- ties have not fully and systematically form or visiting our website at This report identifies and examines key priorities for the 2006 politicians and NGOs to ensure that Philip Deer (Chair) and aggravating impacts on conflict zones – building than this. Independently of the explored this potential. www.international-alert.org Review Conference for the UN Programme of Action. It particu- oil reserves are managed equitably. By Dr Francis Deng Continued inside larly focuses on identifying realistic and potentially negotiable encouraging fair and efficient Dr Pumla Gobodo-Madikezela • Donating £50 could cover the objectives for the conference. management of oil production we aim Brig Gen Henny van der Graaf costs of books, journals and to ensure that Sao Tome and Principe Dr Kamal Hossain fellow NGOs Crisis Group and Search uncertainty over its future. Many newspapers for one of our Spotlight on Guinea steers clear of what has become Ambassador Swanee Hunt for Common Ground (SFCG) to plan a Guineans we spoke to were concerned resource centres for one month Civil Society Action on SALW Control known as the ‘curse of oil’, thereby Paulina Lampsa Alert in early discussions on project supporting Guineans in about rising poverty, high unemploy- By William Godnick (International Alert) and the TRESA team preparing for tomorrow’s peace today. Leah Levin OBE peacebuilding in Guinea addressing this risk. ment and increasing crime. • £250 could fund a community- (M. Ashkenazi, C. Beeck, J. Brethfeld, F. Foltz, J. Horner, S. Wanjau), Craig McGilvray (Honourary Treasurer) level meeting between different October 2005 As part of this objective, Alert has Brendan O'Leary ALTHOUGH the Republic of Guinea All three organisations are already Poor governance in Guinea has ethnic groups This training module is intended to serve as a guideline for civil established two media centres since Wigberto Tañada has remained largely peaceful in recent working in Guinea and/or with contributed to a political economy society organisations that want to become involved in small 2004 – one in Sao Tome and the other Martin Woollacott years, there are increasing concerns Guinean partner NGOs, and in characterised by elitism and corruption • £2,000 could fund an arts arms and light weapons collection and destruction. in Principe – both of which are fully that the country will become unstable January 2006, a team from Alert, at all levels. The basic needs of many project to build awareness and equipped with computer hardware, CONTACT US because of the recent conflict in neigh- SFCG and Crisis Group visited the Guineans are not being met and support for peace processes software and internet access. International Alert. bouring Cote d’Ivoir. In response, country together. This fact-finding economic incentives to invest in the amongst rural communities UN SC Resolution 1325 Women, Peace and Security: Issues and Journalists who use the centres receive 346 Clapham Road International Alert has teamed up with mission revealed a nation experiencing private sector have largely been stifled. Instruments – The Afghan Context training in oil-related reporting skills London SW9 9AP • Donating £3,600 could cover By Ancil Adrian-Paul and Partaw Naderi, June 2005 Continued inside such as transparency, scrutiny and United Kingdom the running costs of a media ISBN 1-898702-68-3 investigative journalism, in order that Tel +44 (0) 20 7627 6800 centre such as the one refered A report on the first ever Afghan consultation on the United they are well prepared to hold Fax +44 (0) 20 7627 6900 Also in this issue to here Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace industry and government accountable Please direct any queries or comments to our and Security. Encouraging DFID to The impact of Supporting peace and use critical thinking and sound For further information, contact Emily Thomas communications team: ethics in their media reports. at [email protected]. [email protected] take a peacebuilding corruption in the through our resource

© International Alert To find out more about our publications, to order print approach South Caucasus centres Understanding conflict. Building peace. copies or download selected titles, please visit our website: www.international-alert.org www.international-alert.org As well as… more on Alert’s partnerships and publications Update

‘When the Karabakh movement Local Business, OUR BUSINESS AND CONFLICT Spotlight on Guinea THE FOUR STRANDS OF ALERT’S similar, local dialogue process will take Corruption and started, there was no corruption; PEACEBUILDING WORK Continuation of cover story CONFLICT-PREVENTION PROJECT place in the south-east of the country as Local Peace well. Alert will lead this component. Conflict there was no mafia…later, those Continuation of cover story Alert has been working with the private With President Lansana Conté now in Access to information who enriched themselves at The economic incentives of conflict in sector since 1999 in different conflict poor health, many people expect the To increase Guineans’ ability to Media others’ expense came to power’. International Alert’s forthcoming publi- contexts, seeking to document and analyse country to confront a vacuum of power influence peace in their society, infor- Supporting radio stations can create the South Caucasus © International Alert CONFLICT VICTIM: ARMENIA cation Local Business, Local Peace, experiences and deepen understanding of in the near future – further increasing the mation on critical political and social space for new voices and new issues in seeks to address this gap. Funded by the this important new area for peacebuilding. LOCAL BUSINESS, LOCAL PEACE risks of violent conflict and destabilisa- issues needs to be practically accessible Guinean programming, enabling THE conflicts of the South Caucasus are from an escalation of the conflict. It goes UK, German and US governments, the INCLUDES CASE STUDIES FROM: tion. Recent local manifestations of to those active in local politics and civil radio listeners to be more informed influenced by many factors which need to on to discuss the prospects for peace in publication is a unique collection of This involves: unrest suggest that tensions on the society. An important component of on local, national and regional issues. be better understood before there is peace areas of the South Caucasus affected by more than 20 case studies demonstrating • Afghanistan • Israel/Palestine ground are already high. this initiative will be the creation of a As part of this initiative, SFCG will and stability in the region. Corruption and corruption. the role local businesses can play in • Supporting local business communities • Armenia • Kosovo © International Crisis Group: resource centre in Conakry, fitted with provide soap opera and other Conflict in the South Caucasus, a new peacebuilding. so they can play a more effective role • Azerbaijan • Nepal Guinea’s current situation is equally www.crisisgroup.org computers, access to the internet and a programming materials and training report published by International Alert, The publication was followed by a series in building peace, both in their own • Bosnia • Nigeria dangerous at a regional level. As the library of written materials on subjects for radios in urban and rural areas to evaluates corruption as one of these factors. of roundtable discussions with local civil While each case study is unique, the publi- countries and in cross-border conflicts. • Burundi • Northern Ireland countries in the Mano River sub-region box). Pursuing these interrelated activi- such as peacebuilding, governance, encourage more complex societal and society actors in the South Caucasus cation draws together lessons that suggest • Colombia • Philippines are highly interconnected, unrest in ties simultaneously, our goal will be to Guinea and the wider region. political issues in their programming, The report is based on a series of one-on- aimed at developing recommendations local businesses can contribute to various • Providing tools and training to the oil, • Cyprus • Sierra Leone Guinea could threaten the hard-won build bridges between business, political, examining subjects such as one interviews and focus groups with a and an action plan to address these dimensions of peacebuilding, including in mining, banking and engineering sectors • DR Congo • Somalia peace and stability in neighbouring Sierra religious and civil society leaders, as well Facilitating dialogue HIV/AIDS, citizenship, collaboration wide range of stakeholders, carried out by issues. Recommendations were then the socio-economic, security, political and so they can understand their impact on • El Salvador • Sri Lanka Leone and Liberia, as well as the to help Guinean civil society better Creating opportunities for dialogue and the role of youth in society. a team of researchers from across the proposed at a roundtable meeting in reconciliation spheres. Local Business, conflict situations and minimise the risk • Georgia • South Africa prospects for peace in turbulent Cote influence internal dynamics for peace. We among Guinean leaders (both present region. It is the first systematic study of Brussels with the EU and other interna- Local Peace is an important contribution of contributing to violence. • Guatemala • Turkey d’Ivoire. also will aim to influence the interna- and future) will build confidence International advocacy corruption in the Caucasus from the tional policy-makers such as the UK and to peacebuilding efforts and will be a tional community’s attitudes to create amongst influential actors in society, Informing regional and international perspective of conflict analysis and the Swedish governments. ■ practical resource for local business leaders With these high risks for both Guinea and support for peacebuilding in Guinea. The enabling them to debate the thorny actors of opportunities to support first to include the non-recognised entities working to reduce violence in their the sub-region, Alert and its partners joint programme will integrate and build political issues with the potential to sustainable peace will encourage the of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorny This research is part of a larger project which uses economic factors and incentives to analyse and address countries, as well as donors, conflict trans- have developed a conflict-prevention on the three organisations’ existing activ- divide the country. This initiative will international community to respond Karabakh. It sets a new interdisciplinary the underlying causes of the conflicts in the South formation practitioners and local civil project to help Guineans prepare for ities and relationships in the country and involve forming a group of influential to the situation in Guinea in a respon- research agenda that bridges conflict Caucasus. For further information, contact Diana Klein society groups. changes in society so they can be we are now seeking funding. individuals to meet regularly and sible and effective way. For this initia- analysis and resolution and the social at [email protected]. managed peacefully. The project will discuss issues in a neutral setting. tive, Crisis Group will take the lead psychology of corruption. This research is The publication will be launched in summer strive to promote dialogue and improve Guinea’s future is in the hands of Guineans. Group members will be drawn from on developing advocacy reports with intended to complement the work and ‘Corrupt officials do not need 2006 through an international conference communications amongst leading actors While Alert and its partners see their Guinean political leadership, civil policy recommendations for national, analysis of the many international institu- Karabakh. They blame all of the and a series of five in-country events in society. involvement as important, only Guineans society groups and the private sector. A regional and international bodies. tions addressing corruption in the region. country’s problems on the organised jointly by International Alert and themselves are in a position to ensure that ■ International Alert has been closely involved with the war…and benefit from this. our local partner organisations. Based on research carried out by Alert their country remains at peace. Our role groups and individuals, our hope is that Mano River Union in recent years, supporting civil Corruption and Conflict looks at general and its partners to date, the conflict- over the next few years will be one of the violent conflict which has beset many society initiatives such as the Liberia Media Project perceptions of corruption in the region, I think that the conflicts cannot More information will be available on our website in the prevention project has been envisaged accompanying local actors in their search of Guinea’s neighbours can be avoided and the Mano River Union Peace Forum. Most activi- examining and identifying those groups be settled without rooting coming weeks. Alternatively, please contact Canan Gündüz ties to date have focussed on building peace in the at [email protected]. with four main strands: information, for new ways of governing and managing here so that future generations may enjoy midst of or after a war – notably those in Sierra Leone who benefit from the current status quo out corruption’. dialogue, media and advocacy (see side conflicts. Working in partnership with sustainable peace. ■ and Liberia. This would be Alert’s first project based of ‘frozen’ conflict and/or will benefit ORDINARY CITIZEN: AZERBAIJAN exclusively in Guinea. ‘We need to restore relationships between the Abkhaz and Development Policy since poverty eradication schemes will commitments made in 2005. Our recom- Why partnerships? never succeed without peace. mendations for DFID fall into three main Georgians in Abkhazia. Nothing in Fragile States can do it better than joint categories: INTERNATIONAL ALERT aims to work As part of the consultation process for the business’ directly with people affected by violent Why peacebuilding should be central White Paper, Alert has submitted a paper • The UK’s country or regional work should ABKHAZ ENTREPRENEUR © Fiona Hill conflict – making partnerships an integral to DFID’s work in conflict zones arguing that the UK must change the way be defined by a common context analysis part of how we work. it engages in fragile states – laying the which looks at the causes of fragility and IN the wake of the Make Poverty History foundations for peace and stability as its the drivers of conflict. DFID’s strategies PRIVATE SECTOR IN ACTION: THE country. The network works on issues projects: one focuses on the difficulties Partnering is important to us because we campaign, the UK government’s first priority. A peacebuilding strategy should be designed to address these factors. BURUNDI ENTERPRISE NETWORK such as promoting local business and the Burundian private sector faces in cannot build peace on behalf of others. Department for International Development leads to different choices, such as dealing countering people’s suspicions of new accessing financing from the banking People have the capacity to resolve their (DFID) is set to launch its third White urgently with unemployed ex-combatants • Development assistance must be As part of our peacebuilding work with the micro-credit programmes and other sector and the other looks at energy own conflicts and sustainable peace is © International Alert Paper on eliminating world poverty – the or marginalised groups and ensuring that provided on a long-term basis, setting private sector in the African Great Lakes forms of economic assistance in the post- resources in the Great Lakes, and only possible with the commitment and content of which will inform its future governments become more representative appropriate conditions for the delivery region, International Alert is happy to be war context. Burundi in particular. involvement of those most affected by practice means we engage with other We certainly learn at least as much from our development policy. DFID has recently and accountable. By stemming conflict and of aid, promoting citizen involvement in collaborating with a new partner, the violence. With this in mind, our partner- institutions such as governments and partners as they do from us. stressed that human security must be providing human security, war-torn decision-making and making govern- Burundi Enterprise Network (BEN). Alert first collaborated with BEN in Like Alert’s other business and peace- ships strive to strengthen the capacities of commercial companies as well. central to all its thinking and practice. One societies can go on to pursue economic ments more accountable to their citizens. 2005 on the publication and promotion building initiatives, our collaboration local actors and organisations so they can In our experience, peacebuilding is most way they have approached this is by cate- development and widespread poverty BEN is a network of Burundian entrepre- of a report looking at opportunities for with BEN is based on our recognition contribute to peacebuilding within their In whatever form it takes, partnering is a likely achieved through a process of coop- gorising conflict-prone countries as ‘fragile reduction more successfully. • DFID should work with other govern- neurs and business people that engages job creation in Burundi. We formalised that building strong socio-economic own societies. fundamental element of Alert’s organisa- eration. Alert is committed to working states’, indicating that any external assis- ments and organisations to help them with the public sector to improve this partnership later in the year and foundations and promoting economic tional identity. We value the diversity of together with a range of individuals, tance must be provided with great care. The new White Paper provides an oppor- adopt a similar approach to fragile states. economic development and stability after now, with our financial assistance, BEN development are essential steps towards While our more formal partnerships tend skills and opinion that comes from working organisations, governments and other This fits with Alert’s own view that in poor tunity for DFID to build on its conceptual a long period of violent conflict in the is working on two new research building lasting peace. to be with civil society organisations, our with others and we strive to build coalitions institutions with the shared goal of ending countries prone to conflict, peacebuilding is work of the past two years and help the The final version of DFID’s White Paper will be ■ published this summer. Alert’s submission is available influence on peacebuilding policy and and networks across regions and cultures. violent conflict. the appropriate primary goal for DFID UK to meet the important peacebuilding from our website at www.international-alert.org. Update International Alert.