September 2011

Released in April, 2011, the World Bank's World Development Report on Conflict, Security, and Development is worthy of the considerable attention it has garnered. Spanning nearly 300 pages, this comprehensive volume is the result of almost two years of research and includes contributions from esteemed experts such as Lant Pritchett and Bruce Jones.

With an Advisory Committee composed of human rights heavyweights such as Lakhdar Brahimi, Louise Arbour, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Madeleine Albright, it is no small wonder that this report has been lauded by International Crisis Group (ICG), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), and the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). International Alert responded by calling the report a “potential game changer.”

This 2011 report marks a fairly significant departure from past WDRs in its explicit treatment of justice, exclusion and overall fairness. In contrast to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which deals with conflict and violence more peripherally, the 2011 WDR places conflict – or rather, conflict prevention – at the forefront of the development agenda. 

The report provides a very robust evidence base for stronger preventive measures in development strategies, based on a more contemporary understanding of insecurity, economic justice and the nature of conflict itself.

As the MDG 2015 deadline draws nearer and not a single low-income fragile country has achieved (or is likely to achieve) even a single MDG, it is an opportune time to consider the report's recommendations for better-serving the developmental needs and challenges of fragile states. 

The Parliamentarians Network recently spoke with Nigel Roberts, a Special Representative and Director of the WDR 2011, to discuss the major findings and implications of the report.

To read the interview with Nigel Roberts, please click here.

Farkhunda Zahra Naderi MP (Afghanistan)

Obaidullah Rameen MP (Afghanistan)

Anusha Rahman Khan MP (Pakistan)

DEVELOPMENT, INTERNATIONAL AID, AND VIOLENCE: VIRGINIA BOUVIER DISCUSSES COLOMBIA

Virginia M. Bouvier is a senior program officer specializing in Colombia at the Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). In an interview with the Parliamentarians Network, she uses the case of Colombia to examine the dynamic between development, international aid, and conflict.

Bouvier stresses the importance of monitoring and evaluation, along with transparency and accountability, as a means of ensuring that international assistance supports strategies that ameliorate, rather than exacerbate, tensions. She suggests that more successful strategies are inclusive and participatory, offer opportunities for dialogue, promote justice and support good governance.

Bouvier goes on to state that "the international community still has a way to go in developing incentives for conflict prevention... We need to think more explicitly about how to dis-incentivize violence and how to reward communities that create alternatives to violence."

To read the entire interview, please click here.

IN REVIEW: WORLD PEACE FESTIVAL 2011

From August 20-27, 2011, the World Peace Festival (WPF) took place in Berlin, Germany. The one-week programme included conferences, seminars, art exhibitions and workshops. The festival, attended by leading figures in business, civil society, the UN, government and the military, launched the World Peace Partnership which offers "simple methods for individuals to prevent and resolve conflict via ongoing educational materials and booklets, and through workshops and seminars at the World Peace Festival." 

During the WPF, the World Peace Partnership adopted the Global Peace Building Strategy (GPBS) which was also presented and discussed during plenary sessions. This strategy is broken down into 7 components, including "Supporting ten countries to build national Infrastructures for Peace by 2016." Paul van Tongeren, one of the key architects of the GPBS, shared with us more information on this key piece of the GPBS. Please click here for the overview of the Infrastructures for Peace proposal.

The other six components of the GPBS include: the Global Fund for Local Peace; About Time: Women at Every Peace Table; Conflict Transformation through Young People; Global Forum on Multi-stakeholder Engagement on Peacebuilding; Expert consultative Process on Preventing Armed Conflict; and The Arms Deal.

The Arms Deal campaign calls for a 10% tax on the profits of the world's largest arms manufacturers. Please click here to learn more about what the Chair of the Parliamentarians Network, Angelika Beer, thinks about this controversial proposal.

If you missed the Parliamentarians Network exclusive pre-festival interview with Tom Oliver, the CEO and Founder of the World Peace Festival, please click here.

THIRD ABU DHABI PROCESS REPORT

On August 9, 2011, the EastWest Institute released Seeking Solutions for Afghanistan: Third Report on the Abu Dhabi Process, a report based on talks between Afghan and Pakistani leaders held in Abu Dhabi. Part of an ongoing series facilitated by EWI and sponsored by the Abu Dhabi government, the meeting aimed to build bilateral trust and produce new security solutions for the region.

“Participants agreed that the relationship between the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan will determine the success of reconciliation. The recent increase in tensions between Afghanistan, the U.S. and Pakistan gives reason for concern,” said Guenter Overfeld, EWI Vice President and Director of Regional Security.

Participants also discussed how to build intergovernmental trust, recommending the establishment of a Pakistani body committed to working with the Afghan High Peace Jirga and a format for talks between the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan that is more effective than the current trialogue meetings.

To read more about the Abu Dhabi process and to access the full report, please click here.

EWI's Eighth Annual Worldwide Security Conference (WSC8)

October 3-5, 2011, the EastWest Institute (EWI) will host its Eighth Annual Worldwide Security Conference (WSC8) on Managing Business Risk Through Policy Entrepreneurship in Brussels. This event will bring together leading policy makers, specialists, business executives, community leaders and journalists to discuss the most pressing global security challenges.

Please click here to download the WSC8 agenda, or to register, please click here.

20th Anniversary of Macedonia's Independence, September 8, 2011

On September 8, 1991, Macedonia held a referendum in which 95% of those who took part favoured independence from  former Yugoslavia. Macedonia's departure from the federation, unlike many other parts of former Yugoslavia, was quite remarkably achieved without bloodshed. 

In an interview with Macedonian National TV program 'Porta', Chair of the Parliamentarians Network, Angelika Beer, speaks about Ohrid Framework Agreement and name row with Greece. Please click here to read the interview with the Macedonian Information Agency. 

International Peace Day, September 21, 2011
This September 21 marks the International Day of Peace. The PN invites you to share what you will be doing to show your support for a world free of violence on the official Peace Day site. 

7th European Congress on Civil Protection and Disaster Management, September 28-29
This annual conference will feature plenary sessions with Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, European Commission, along with Network Chair, Angelika Beer.

"The endgame in Afghanistan"
Sherry Rehman and Moeed Yusuf elaborate on the result of a project co-convened by the Jinnah Institute and USIP aimed at gathering and articulating informed Pakistani opinion on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.

Nitzan Horowitz seeks to make social justice the law
Nitzan Horowitz MP, member of the Meretz party and PN, proposed "Basic Law: Social Rights" that would serve as a legislative anchor for the social justice that Israeli protesters have been demanding throughout August.

"Egyptians talk to Europeans"
PN member Franziska Brantner MEP, the Greens’ Foreign Policy Speaker of the European Parliament, spoke with Fatema Abou Zeid, a member of the Muslim Brothers and cofounder of its new Freedom and Justice Party.

New Amu Darya Basin Network website
The Amu Darya Basin Network, comprised of local and international experts, scientists, policymakers, donors and implementing organizations working in or interested in development of the Amu Darya Basin, launched its revised website.

Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention on Twitter
Follow us on Twitter (EWIPrevention) for the latest updates on the parliamentary perspective on conflict prevention.