Promoting inclusion through local peace structures

This report, based on experiences in Kenya and the Philippines, explores how and to what extent local peace structures are able to influence peace and security approaches in conflict-affected contexts transitioning towards more localised forms of governance. It also assesses the extent to which marginalised actors within these structures experience and are able to overcome resistance to their inclusion in decision-making by elites – both within their own communities and in formal government positions.

This study is part of a wider research programme, the Peace Research Partnership, looking at how to support peaceful and inclusive change, conducted with International Alert and Saferworld and supported by UK aid from the UK government. Find out more.

Under this programme, Conciliation Resources’ focus is on peace and transition processes. We look at how inclusion can be enhanced, based on the evidence that peace processes that can accommodate a broad set of interests are more likely to facilitate peaceful and inclusive change. Partnership between international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and civil society actors and organisations in conflict settings can be a way to support that.