Over the course of three years, the partners produced extensive research and recommendations on inclusive peace processes (Conciliation Resources), inclusive economic development (International Alert), and on inclusive security and justice, and decentralisation (Saferworld), as well as on gender and peacebuilding. Now, in its fourth year, PRP is working with FCDO and the UK government to design and test practical methods to apply the evidence produced to date.

 

 

 

Conciliation Resources’ research and outputs focus on:

 

Under this theme, in years one to three we explored how inclusion is negotiated in elite-led peace processes and political settlements in five conflict-affected contexts; Nepal, Colombia, the Somali region of Ethiopia (Ogaden), Nigeria and Bougainville, an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. We also explored how international and national actors can effectively support inclusion. We looked at the strategies used by different groups to influence political settlements, their experiences of achieving political change, and the formal and informal barriers faced. 

 

The research drew specific lessons for supporting women’s participation in peace and transition processes, drawn from local perspectives and analysis of three conflict-affected contexts. It highlights that while there is no one ‘remedy’ or ‘moment’ to ensure greater meaningful participation of women and other excluded groups, the early insertion of mechanisms for inclusion into peace processes is critical for sustainable peace. 

 

We also explored the political participation and inclusion of gender and sexual minorities in peace processes drawing on case studies from Colombia and Nigeria. Research on the inclusion and contributions of people with disabilities in peacebuilding processes, highlights the gaps in evidence and asks what might be done to support their meaningful participation.  

Research on community level peace platforms in the Philippines and northern Kenya generated practical learning on how local peacebuilders can navigate elite resistance to their inclusion in decision-making on peace and security matters. The Kenya research helped identify obstacles to the effective functioning of inclusive Local Peace Committees (LPCs). In year four Conciliation Resources is accompanying an inclusive process of policy and legal reform aimed at addressing ambiguities and improving coherence between local peace architectures at different levels of government(s).  Practical support and testing of hypotheses will underpin learning and operational conclusions on how to support inclusion at local level, particularly in devolved contexts. 

Drawing on case studies and critical analysis of Conciliation Resources’ own practice we have identified practical lessons on how partnership with local civil society organisations support inclusive and transformative peace processes and peacebuilding. Using a similar approach we are now looking at how, and under what conditions, different forms of dialogue between diverse actors support processes of peaceful and inclusive change.

In year four Conciliation Resources is also scoping current approaches, challenges and questions for initiatives dealing with the legacies of past violence and conflict. The aim is to improve understanding of how to support ways to deal with the past to enhance inclusion in societies transitioning from war to peace.  Scoping of evidence and lessons will build on established practice and research by Conciliation Resources including a 2016 Accord publication Transforming broken relationships: making peace with the past which documented and analysed case studies from four different contexts.   

 

Research explores how ‘bottom-up’ reconciliation and reintegration with armed groups can reduce violence and support sustainable peace when ‘top-down’ or track one dialogue is blocked or stuck.

 

In northeast Nigeria, research draws on perspectives and experiences of local communities and ex-combatants. Findings provide guidance for how local, national and international responses to the Boko Haram insurgency and its offshoot Islamic State in West Africa can involve local people, to tap into their potential and be more responsive to their priorities and needs.

 

In Afghanistan, analysis looks at sticking points inhibiting progress in track one dialogue with the Taliban and explores how local reconciliation initiatives with communities and governance structures can reduce violence and help move the Afghan peace process forward.

 

Findings from Nigeria, Afghanistan and elsewhere will be synthesised to build practical options for how local peacemaking with armed groups can provide effective and inclusive pathways out of violence in the midst of armed conflict.

Under this theme, we are testing and evaluating how to integrate gender in conflict analysis and programming – and documenting the challenges and benefits of doing this. Research has centred on the application of our 2015 Gender and Conflict Analysis Toolkit, developed in close consultation with Saferworld and International Alert.

 

Together we have drawn lessons from experiences of peacebuilding practitioners and policy actors on how to conduct and use gender-sensitive conflict analysis in practice. Research on our peacebuilding practice in a number of Conciliation Resources' contexts including Kashmir and the Democratic Republic of Congo will focus on how gender-sensitive conflict analysis can shed light on complex and violent masculinities in conflict-affected contexts and the benefits for peace practice of doing so. 

 

In Year four continuing work on gender-sensitive conflict analysis and masculinities, including training and programme accompaniment, will aim to capture lessons and propose practical guidance on how to embed the methodology in policy and programmatic practice. To highlight the anniversary of UNSCR 1325 in 2020 we will also be promoting uptake of gender-sensitive conflict analysis as the building block for effective conflict prevention and women’s meaningful participation in peace and security.