Civil Society Roles in Conflict Prevention: developing new partnerships for peace and security

1. Civil Society Roles in Conflict Prevention: developing new partnerships for peace and security Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict Catherine Barnes, Ph.D. ---- InterAction Forum 2004 Washington DC, 19 May 2004

2. Overview Explore some of the key roles that civil society organisations play in preventing and transforming violent conflict Present the ‘Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict’ - and how it aims to strengthen civil society capacities in working with conflict and partnerships with the UN, regional organisations and governments.

3. Civil society: more than NGOs Political parties & movements Business associations & cooperatives Movements: social, political, environmental, solidarity • Civil Society Organisations • NGOs • Voluntary charities • Community-based groups • Etc. trade unions & professional associations Traditional leaders & social structures Private foundations & donors Religious institutions & faith-based associations Media: private non-profit & state Educational & research institutes GONGOs, QUANGOs & Parastatal companies

4. Why civil society in preventing armed conflict? • A vibrant & diverse civil society is a key element of structural prevention. (1) Strengthens internal cohesion, mediates social conflict & constrains arbitrary exercise of power; (2) Attempts to suppress civil society tend to provoke a struggle to meet basic human needs through other means, including violent resistance. • Efficacy: Within any society, these diverse groupings constitute a potentially powerful force that can mobilise either to escalate conflict or facilitate its resolution. They can do things that neither the state nor international organisations can do. • Ownership & sovereignty: The state belongs to its people; mobilising civil society to address problems that could generate conflict strengthens long-term social and political development. If the diverse elements within a society feel that the ‘solutions’ are legitimate, they are more likely to take responsibility for implementing them.

5. CSO orientations to prevention

6. Prevention at different stages in the evolution of an armed conflict Structural Prevention Operational Prevention Structural Prevention Political talks gain momentum Final accords signed; begin consolidation; peacebuilding Escalation of tension & violence Pre-crisis phase Conflict emergence Armed conflict Ceasefire / process toward settlement Peacebuilding & post-settlement reconstruction

7. CSO roles in structural prevention: addressing the root causes • Addressing structural violence & promoting human security – through development, human rights monitoring & promotion, preventing environmental degradation… • Making governments & state structures more responsive – through participation in political processes, policy dialogue, monitoring, advocacy campaigns, protests… • Alleviating social tensions and conflict – through challenging xenophobia & discrimination, facilitating dialogue, and promoting tolerance and a culture of peace… • Strengthening capacities to mediate conflict and manage differences – through conflict resolution training, mediation services, education, promoting rule of law

8. Operational Prevention:CSO roles in the early crisis phase • Early warning of emerging crises – monitoring, analysis, and communication strategies to raise awareness and generate attention • Developing options and strategies for response - formulating recommendations, engaging in policy dialogue • Mobilising political will for response – lobbying and campaigning, sensitising domestic audiences • Taking action – Unofficial ‘diplomacy’, social dialogue, public protests…

9. CSO roles during violent conflict • Humanitarianrelief & support to war-affected communities • Facilitating communication and generating alternatives – Track II dialogue processes • Strengthening local CSO capacities for conflict transformation & peacebuilding • Developing & strengthening ‘constituencies for peace’ and public awareness work • Violence reduction and monitoring; creating ‘zones of peace’

10. CSO roles in peacemaking • Support for political negotiations and confidence building initiatives • Shaping the negotiating agenda to ensure it addresses root causes • Participating in the negotiations process, directly or indirectly • Helping ‘behind the scenes’: continuing to facilitate social dialogue and Track II dialogue + good offices

11. Preventing recurrence: CSO roles in post-settlement peacebuilding • Public education & awareness-raising on the peace agreement – and consolidating support. • Facilitating the rehabilitation of war-affected relationships & communities  laying the groundwork for reconciliation. • Contributing to transitional justice processes • Resumption of initiatives contributing to structural prevention – encouraging good governance, reconstruction and development, mediating social conflict, promoting human rights…

12. CSOs working on conflict: special contributions • Because CSOs are aware of events as they are unfolding, they can make important contributions to early warning. • They can act swiftly & flexibly to respond to conditions as needed, often using innovative & non-coercive strategies and quality processes to address problems. • CSOs can act when official actors are immobilised (often related to mandates, lack of political will or the implications conveyed by their official status). • CSOs can improve communication and relationships by fostering interaction across conflict divides. • By mobilising ‘people power’, CSOs can put pressure on decision-makers to reach a peaceful settlement. They can also push for policies and practices designed to address root causes of conflict.

13. Partnership & respect for local ownership Partnerships are key to effective prevention. • Need mechanisms & resources for interaction between CSOs, IGOs and governments to institutionalise the capacity for prevention. • Need official acknowledgement of the legitimacy of CSOs in peace & security matters; recognition of their roles in the conflict prevention partnership. Primary responsibility for conflict prevention rests with national governments and other local actors. Greater ownership is likely to result in a more legitimate process & sustainable outcomes. • The primary role of outsiders is to create spaces & support inclusive processes that enable those directly involved to make decisions about the specific arrangements for addressing the causes of conflict  Build on capacities that exist. • Outsiders must avoid actions that displace & undermine homegrown initiatives or that promote short-term objectives at the expense of long-term prevention.

14. Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict • GPPAC the convening process for July 2005 conference at UN Headquarters  Initiated in response to UN Secretary-General’s Report on the Prevention of Armed Conflict (2001), where he urged NGOs to organise a conference on their role and interaction with the UN in prevention. • Global partnership: 15 regional processes + ECCP (international secretariat) & NGO UN Conflict Prevention Working Group + International Steering Group

15. 15 Regional Consultations July 2005 Europe W. Africa N. America Central Asia Balkans L. America S. Asia W. Caucasus N.Africa/Mid.East E. Africa S.E. Asia S. Africa N.E. Asia Global Level: Building an Action Agenda for the Partnership Global Partnershipfor the Preventionof Armed Conflict ECCP Strategy Group Beyond 2005

16. Global Partnership: More than a conference… • Generating social infrastructure: Stimulating forums at national, regional, and global levels  creating an effective worldwide network • Developing a voice: Thousands engaged in discussion & research at national & regional level to identify issues, exchange experiences & lessons, and set priorities for ‘Action Agendas’ • Increased political acceptance of the role of civil society in preventing armed conflict; strengthened mechanisms for interaction & partnership between state & non-state actors on conflict, peace & security matters for integrated approach to prevention • Laying the groundwork for long-term action: public education & awareness raising; strengthened operational capacities; …  new capacities

17. How you can get involved • Join the initiative – connect your organization with regional processes • Contribute understanding of your issue area to conflict prevention • Mainstream prevention principles in your organization’s work and operations • Contribute financially… European Centre for Conflict Prevention • www.conflictprevention-dialogue.org