Community Empowerment and Peacebuilding

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND PEACEBUILDING.

A quick glance on the World map of armed conflicts would reveal that this phenomenon is limited to the areas of the developing countries, while the Western world is exempt of such an issue. The distinction between war countries and non-war countries has influenced the potential role that may be played by one or the other. As some would inflame armed conflicts, others would play the firefighter function.

The firefighter's role has been denounced by some, since some conflicts are fueled by those who are the peace-keepers. The Cold-War period has been the privileged time of what was called the modern pax-romana, since that the superpowers were only interested in the condition of states without war, regardless of the interests of the concerned people.

In reaction to the process of an imposed peace, some believe now that peace should be a consensual process that must include the beneficiaries in its management: conception- application- outcomes. Such management can only be possible if the targeted people have the necessary skills that would allow its members to participate in the in the process. It is important though to keep in mind that empowering a community is only one of the numerous aspects of peacebuilding.

The following project is presenting some valuable web pages, sites, links, and other web resources that can help in the understanding of the role of a strong community in the peacebuilding process. Although focused on Africa, the project has broadened its field to other continents and other issues.

I) WHY PEACEBUILDING?

1) http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/lebanon/254/annon.htm

Document from the UN, provides acknowledgement on the causes of conflict and the promotion of peace and sustainable development in Africa.

2) http://www.oneworld.org/euconflict/sfp/content.htm

A publication available online and giving an overview of conflict prevention and management in Africa.

3) http://www.oneworld.org/euconflict/guides/themes/pp3.htm

Frequently asked questions about conflicts and ways to prevent them.

(European Platform for Conflict Prevention and Transformation, June 1998)

4) http://www.gmu.edu/academic/pcs/smoker.htm

A reflection on the necessity of creating a global and local cultures of peace.

II) NOTIONS

* PEACEBUILDING

1) http://www.peacemakers.ca/publications/peacebuildingdefinition.html

Page defining what peacebuilding is.

2) http://www.gmu.edu/academic/pcs/clements.htm

Tentative of a definition of peace building and conflict transformation.

3) http://www.peacemakers.ca/publications/peacebuildingdefinition.html

Page discussing on peacebuilding definition and have also links on others keywords related to peacebuilding.

4) http://www.oneworld.org/euforic/dsa/dp12.htm

This paper examines the idea of conflict prevention as a new theme in development theory. Produced by the European Development Policy Study Group, this paper is analyzing different aspects of conflict and development for African, Pacific and Caribbean countries.

5) http://www.cpcc.ottawa.on.ca/learntyp-e.htm

Page is a draft from the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee, tempting to build a typology of peacebuilding actions.

* COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (DEVELOPMENT)

1) http://www.scn.org/ip/cds/cmp/empo.htm

Analysis of elements (factors) leading to community management, empowerment and development.

2) http://www.scn.org/ip/cds/cmp/keywords.htm

This page from the Community Development Society site is giving some key words related to community management, empowerment, and development. They are not definitions but notes about concepts.

3) http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=108996&tocid=25773

A page from the Encyclopaedia Britannica with a survey of development theories.

4) http://www.wiwi.uni-bremen.de/iwim/africa/vol7-abs.htm

African development perspectives on empowerment and economic development.

5) http://www.scn.org/IP/cds/cmp/stren.htm

Document discussing the purpose and content of management training for low-income communities and community groups aimed at empowering their self-directed development.

III) RELATIONS BETWEEN PEACEBUILDING AND EMPOWERMENT (DEVELOPMENT)

1) http://infomine.ucr.edu/search_details.phtml (missing link)

This site (related to the http://www.etown.edu/vl/ of the WWW VL), is presenting the related resources on subjects and keywords associated with conflict management and economic development.

2) http://infomine.ucr.edu/result_regular.pl

The web site is appropriate as a tool for international, national and local actors involved in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of countries in post-conflict situations

3) http://www.jha.ac/articles/a058.htm

An article from The Journal of Humanitarian Assistance, on relief and development issues, related to peacebuilding. Addressing the root causes: Relief and development assistance between peacebuilding and preventing refugee flows.

4) http://www.jha.ac/articles/a034.htm

Thoughts on social and civil dimensions of the post-conflict societies.

5) http://www.gmu.edu/academic/pcs/RothSchw81PCS.htm

An abstract exploring the links between conflict resolution and social work.

VI) GENERAL DEBATE ON PEACEBUILDING, COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND

Agenda for Peace, Preventive diplomacy, Peacemaking and Peace-keeping: A Report of the Secretary-General of the UN, June 1992.

2) http://www.oneworld.net/ecdpm/pubs/dp20_gb.htm

A discussion on considerations for implementing “genuine partnerships between the North and the South countries.

3) http://www.scn.org/ip/cds/cmp/

This site is discussing on some methods to strengthen communities in order to raise the capacity of the low income people in the neighborhoods. The site is also providing some interesting links. (EMPOWER-Focused on low income) http://www.oneworld.org/euforic/dsa/dp18.htm =Corruption and Economic Development

4) http://www.global-challenges.org/14extra-state-actors.html

Page presenting some global challenges that the United Nations have to face for the Twenty-First Century. Particularly, this page is analyzing the business, the media and the NGO's role.

5) http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/example/sahn7033.htm

Managing conflict in the Post-Cold War period.

6) http://www.dse.de/ef/unity/foerde_d.htm

Perspectives on conflict prevention, reconstruction assistance and development.

7) http://www.dse.de/ef/poverty/ndulo-in.htm

Discussion on democracy, institution building and poverty in Africa.

8) http://www.cic.nyu.edu/pubs/MeetingEssential.html

Is a paper discussing on the essential needs in post-conflicts societies.

9) http://www.dse.de/ef/poverty/

A web page of the German Foundation for International Development, discussing on inclusion, justice, and poverty reduction.

- http://www.dse.de/ef/poverty/serageld.htm Poverty and Inclusion, which is an abstract on a Social Agenda for the New Millennium.

-http://www.dse.de/ef/poverty/sindzing.htm Some issues on exclusion and poverty in developing countries.

- http://www.dse.de/ef/poverty/kanbur.htm A report on the World Development for 2000/01, on poverty and development.

- http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/ffd/debt/2001/aids0625.htm Abstract on dollars, debt and Drugs - Responding to the AIDS Crisis (Drop the Debt-June 25, 2001).

10) http://www.foei.org/LINK/LINK92/no_more_lootingcom.htm
This is another related issue to community empowerment and peacebuilding.

11)http://www.africapolicy.org/index.shtml

This site is presenting issues directly related to the African Continent. May be helpful for an enlargement of the researcher's views on African issues, even though not particularly discussing on peace or development questions.

(Related issues)

12) http://www.socialcritic.org/

A collection of links of selected readings in social criticism and covering many issues. Valuable since that the authors' position may be different from that of the mainstream media. (Related issues)

13) http://www.changemakers.net/

A Site for Social Entrepreneurship Worldwide. It provides resources, inspiring ideas and opportunities for social entrepreneurs and those interested in learning more about innovative social change.

14)http://www.wiwi.uni-bremen.de/iwim/africa/vol7-cont.htm

African development perspectives on empowerment and economic development.

V) RESOURCES

* BOOKS - LIBRARIES

1) http://www.jha.ac/

Web site of the Journal of Humanitarian Assistance, produced by the Department of Peace Studies of University of Bradford.

2) http://members.tripod.com/~Tetworld/ijhp1.html

Web site of The International Journal of Humanities and Peace.

3) http://www.fewer.org/research/studbib.htm

This page is an abridged version of resources (books) on development , humanitarian aid and the complex role of the NGOs (non governmental organizations) in that field. The directory includes also topics such as gender, conflict and others.

4) http://www.peace.ca/infoworld.htm

Site offering information resources to the world level on books (classified by author or by title) on subjects related to peace. It also provides other information related to peace issues.

5) http://www.fewer.org/research/studbib.htm#1

An abridged bibliography presented by Andrew and Eeva Vaskio on Development, Peace Building and NGO's work in developing countries.

6) http://www.nzdl.org/cgi-bin/library?a=p&p=about&c=hdl

A resource web site, Humanity Development Library is a large collection of practical information with an objective of helping to reduce poverty, increasing human potential and providing useful and practical education.

7) http://www.etown.edu/vl/peace.html

A very valuable web site of the WWW Virtual Library on Peace, Conflict resolution and International Security.

* EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

1) http://www.oneworld.org/euforic/resource/en/theme.htm

A site resources discussing on a variety of themes and subjects. This site is from euforic, (The European's forum on international cooperation).

2) http://www.gtz.de/unternehmen/english/links/

This page is offering opportunities to access to the numerous organizations providing information on development issues. This page is maintained by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), a well known German organization embracing various aspect of development.

3) http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ICR/links.html

This page is presenting some (links) institutions/centers involved in peacemaking and peacebuilding.

4) http://www.oneworld.org/euconflict/publicat/direct.htm

This is a Directory of Conflict Prevention Organizations. The Directory is providing a valuable and accurate tool for practitioners and searchers of conflict management.

5) http://www.imtd.org/index.htm

Web site of the Institute for Multi-track Diplomacy, which promotes a systems approach to peacebuilding and facilitate the transformation of social conflicts.

6) http://www.peacemakers.ca/index.html

Site of a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to research, education and consultation on conflict resolution, good governance and peacebuilding. Is providing a valuable page of selected bibliography on conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

7) http://caster.ssw.upenn.edu/~restes/praxis.html

Site providing access to a vast array of archival resources on international and comparative social development.

8) http://www.cdd.org.uk/

Web Site of the Centre for Democracy and Development, a new, non-profit, non governmental, research, information and training institution dedicated to democratic and peace-building in West-Africa Sub-region.

9) http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/

An international Online program on conflict management and constructive confrontation.

10) http://www.fresno.edu/pacs/

One of the numerous Universities offering graduate education in conflict studies.

* FUNDING AND OTHER RESOURCES

1) http://www.peace.ca/whoswhoworld.htm

A peace resource site providing resources, information, proposals, solutions, links, feedback, a Peace guestbook and constant additions.

2) http://www.dfait.gc.ca/peacebuilding/cpe_annex-e.asp

Site of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. It shows how, in their respective ways, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) contribute each towards the promotion of peace in conflict countries. Their approaches to support peace are different but complementary.

3) http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/indepth/0004qual/quality1.htm

A United Kingdom's Christian web site discussing on international aid quality. Presents also reports on trade, debt, environment, and development sustainability issues.

4) http://www.gtz.de/home/english/

Home page of the German organization for technical assistance to the developed countries.

5) http://www.oneworld.org/euconflict/

Is a network of European non-governmental organizations involved in the prevention and/or resolution of violent conflicts in the international arena.

6) http://www.imtd.org/links.htm

Valuable links/ On-line resources and Networking involved in multi-track diplomacy.

7) http://www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.html

Page from the World Wide Web Virtual Library, with a comprehensive list of internet sites dealing with sustainable development, including organisations, projects and activities, electronic journals, libraries, references and documents, databases, and directories.

8) http://www.the-ef.org/resources-content.html

A compiled list of useful resources under categories such as venture philanthropy, social entrepreneurs and corporate community involvement.

9) http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/ngopb.htm

A Web page of the Conflict Research Consortium (University of Colorado), presenting some interesting links of NGO's, approaches, and related problems to peacebuilding.

Created by Donald Nganga | donganga@hotmail.com | last modified July 13, 2001