Key Considerations When Supporting Peace Processes
Date
2013-03
Authors
Public International Law and Policy Group
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
United States Agency for International Development Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation
Abstract
This report is intended for development professionals as a way to help them understand some of the key characteristics of peace negotiations and how the points of impasse between parties are often strikingly similar. Development professionals can play an important role in any peace process, providing the technical knowledge and practical, on-the-ground insights necessary to create a peace agreement that is durable. They are often in a position to facilitate dialogue among the parties in conflict, provide funding to support peace processes, contribute technical expertise and deliver practical knowledge as to what is feasible during the implementation of the peace agreement based on existing dynamics on the ground. Because development is a key component in any peace process, it is important to have development professionals present at the negotiation table, not just in the post-conflict implementation phase. This is often important because necessary technical issues will be reflected within an agreement to bring about successful implementation. This brief provides a number of lessons learned that are important for development practitioners to keep in mind when supporting peace processes. Much of the guidance offered in this brief has been distilled from multiple sources in academic literature, from background materials used in developing Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation's toolkit on supporting peace processes and from materials produced by numerous other research institutions.
Description
Keywords
Peace Process, Peace Agreement, Development