Section IV: Structural Reforms, Institution Building and Violence Control

The fourth section focuses on the conditions necessary for conflict transformation and peacebuilding. The authors give an overview of the main approaches by state and civil society actors, focusing on: state reform; peacekeeping and development cooperation; support for peace constituencies; economic strategies; cooperation and networking between non-state actors; and the role of media and education.

Author Title / Description Date
Volker Boege, Anne Brown, Kevin Clements and Anna Nolan

On Hybrid Political Orders and Emerging States: State Formation in the Context of ‘Fragility

Puts forth the claim that conflict transformation and peacebuilding need to be of a hybrid nature and combine traditional, state- and civil society-centred approaches in order to be successful. The authors critically discuss the discourse on failing states and the current state of the art in state-building. They review successes and failures in the context of Somaliland, Bougainville and East Timor.

Available translations:

Spanish / Español

2008
Luc Zandvliet

Opportunities for Synergy - Conflict Transformation and the Corporate Agenda

Explores answers to this question: why it is that companies and conflict transformation advocates have difficulties in hearing each other in the debate on transforming conflict, or in working together to create just and stable environments? The author proposes a range of options for more constructive engagement.
2005
Nick Killick, VS Srikantha and Canan Gündüz

The Role of Local Business in Peacebuilding

Presents a wide range of examples for roles of local business in conflict resolution. It looks specifically at why it is useful to engage local businesses in peacebuilding, how this can best be approached, what forms such engagement can take - from the micro to the macro level - and with whom it is most likely to succeed.
2005
Günther Baechler

Conflict Transformation through State Reform

Explores the significance of state reform for transformation of war-torn areas. The author presents three strategic approaches: participatory strategies (i.e. democratisation, strengthening of civil society, dialogue); institution building and institutional reform (i.e. federalisation, decentralisation, constitutional and judicial reform); and security needs (i.e. human rights, human security). (revised for 2004 print edition)

Available translations:

Sinhala / සිංහල
Tamil / தமிழ்
Russian / РУССКИЙ
Turkish / Türkçe
Spanish / Español

2004
Wibke Hansen, Oliver Ramsbotham & Tom Woodhouse

Hawks and Doves: Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution

Discusses the dual goal of controlling violence while rebuilding cooperative relationships, which calls for an integration of academic approaches with peacekeeping practice. The authors highlight the relevance of conflict resolution theory for peacekeepers, commenting on areas of application and addressing future peacekeeping needs. (revised for 2004 print edition)

Available translations:

Sinhala / සිංහල
Tamil / தமிழ்
Russian / РУССКИЙ

2004
Christine Bigdon & Benedikt Korf

The Role of Development Aid in Conflict Transformation: Facilitating Empowerment Processes and Community Building

Highlights the role of development assistance for the structural aspects of peacebuilding. Exploring the nexus between participation, empowerment and conflict transformation, the authors critically discuss the potential of common participatory approaches at the community level and their impact for conflict transformation on the local level. (revised for 2004 print edition)

Available translations:

Sinhala / සිංහල
Tamil / தமிழ்
Russian / РУССКИЙ

2004
Dusan Reljic

The News Media and the Transformation of Ethnopolitical Conflicts

Presents proposals for reporting on ethnopolitical conflicts in a manner that fosters peace. The author offers a basic model to explain the impact of media, as well as discussing NGO activities and a proposal for reform efforts on the European level. (revised for 2004 print edition)

Available translations:

Sinhala / සිංහල
Tamil / தமிழ்
Russian / РУССКИЙ

2004
Sandra Melone, Georgios Terzis & Ozsel Beleli

Using the Media for Conflict Transformation: The Common Ground Experience

A case study of the role media can play in ethnopolitical conflict. The authors portray initiatives by the NGO European Centre for Common Ground in Greece and Turkey, Macedonia, Sierra Leone and Burundi and share lessons about the design, implementation and assessment of projects aimed at cooperating with media, promoting pluralism and fostering ethical standards in journalism.

Available translations:

Turkish / Türkçe
Spanish / Español

2002
Stephanie Schell Faucon

Conflict Transformation through Educational and Youth Programmes

Debates opportunities and limits for conflict transformation through youth and educational work. The author explores theoretical and conceptual approaches, catalogues key methodologies, learning principles and desired outcomes for both formal and informal education. She also addresses on-going challenges.

Available translations:

Russian / РУССКИЙ

2001
 

See also…

Berghof Handbook Dialogue No 2 on Security Sector Reform

Berghof Handbook Dialogue No 3 on Transforming War Economies