Confronting legacies of forced displacement in the South Caucasus

Approaching two million people throughout the South Caucasus lost their homes as a result of ethnic mobilisation, confrontation and conflict through the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their fate remains a key challenge for both the Nagorny Karabakh and Georgian–Abkhaz peace processes. Through film projects, TV discussions, and policy papers, Conciliation Resources and our partners in the Synergy network have recently been bringing new thinking to bear on these issues. At the heart of these activities are the peacebuilding perspectives of local people.

Constitutional reform process confirmed in Fiji

We welcome the announcement by Fiji's Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, on 9 March of a process and timeline for the development of a new constitution. We believe Professor Yash Ghai is an excellent candidate as chair of the Constitutional Commission that will conduct national consultations. We support our partners the Citizens' Constitutional Forum in their call for a "conducive environment which encourages freedom of speech and welcomes dialogue".

Women and peacebuilding: Involving all voices

International Women's Day – 8 March – marks the contribution that women across the world make to their communities. Nowhere are these efforts more important than in the field of peacebuilding.

However, in too many areas, the voices of women affected by conflict go unheard, and they are often underrepresented in local, national and international conflict resolution strategies.

A woman’s place is in the negotiating room

Janet Adama Mohammed has been working with rural women and communities to build peace for nearly two decades. “For me it’s never been about seeking money or power – just having a positive influence. We all need to find spaces in which we can unleash what we’re passionate about.” In this comment piece she reflects on how she first got involved in mediating conflicts in her native Ghana and how, in the years since, she’s been involved in some pivotal moments in the recent history of West Africa.

Fresh prospects for peace in Colombia

Recent developments in Colombia suggest that the government and FARC each now recognise that violence is not solved by more violence. In a Spanish article for RazĂłn PĂșblica, Kristian Herbolzheimer, Director of our Colombia and Philippines programmes, suggests that Colombia can learn lessons from its own past – both its successes and mistakes – to identify a new approach that is far more inclusive than peace negotiations. Both sides have taken important steps but the challenge remains to define the roadmap to peace.

Somalia: After the London conference

In the aftermath of the February 2012 London Conference on Somalia, Sally Healy – Accord 21 editor and a Fellow of the Rift Valley Institute – offers her personal assessment of the conference, its likely impact and the complex challenges ahead. Featuring insight from Mohamed Abdi Aynte, Mark Bradbury, Al-Hadi and Ken Menkhaus, this comment piece, concludes that "There are no risk-free options for Somalia. It is ever more obvious that Somalis, not foreigners, have to lead on the solutions."

Amplifying the skills of local peacebuilders

Building peace takes time but we make commitments to support our partners for the long-term. In countries affected by the Lord's Resistance Army conflict, we've recently taken part in workshops focusing on strategies to deal with land disputes arising out of the violence, and are supporting women in discussions about how to cope with the conflict. We're there for as long as we're needed to provide advice, support and practical resources.
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