Building Stable Peace: How Positive Peace Can Strengthen the U.S. Global Fragility Act
Peacekeeper Insight By ARAC International
Strategic Integration of Positive Peace
Use case to support the U.S. Global Fragility Act
by Peacekeeper Insight, an ARAC OpenAI Solution developed by M. Nuri Shakoor on March 11, 2024
The U.S. Global Fragility Act (GFA) is a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at preventing conflict and reducing fragility worldwide through a coordinated, interagency approach. It seeks to stabilize conflict-affected areas, support long-term peacebuilding efforts, and prevent conflict from arising in the first place. To achieve these ambitious goals, the U.S. government and its partners across sectors must adopt comprehensive and multifaceted strategies. One such methodology that aligns well with the objectives of the GFA is the Institute for Economics & Peace's (IEP) 8 Pillars of Positive Peace combined with Systems Thinking.
Understanding the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace
The IEP's framework of Positive Peace revolves around 8 pillars identified as the key drivers of peace. These pillars are not only crucial in preventing violence; they also foster thriving societies capable of absorbing and adapting to significant challenges. The pillars include:
Well-Functioning Government
Sound Business Environment
Acceptance of the Rights of Others
Good Relations with Neighbors
Free Flow of Information
High Levels of Human Capital
Equitable Distribution of Resources
Low Levels of Corruption
The Role of Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking, meanwhile, is an approach that sees complex problems as part of wider, dynamic systems. It emphasizes understanding the relationships and interdependencies within these systems to identify leverage points where interventions can have the most significant, positive impact. This approach is crucial in addressing the root causes of fragility and conflict, as it moves beyond symptomatic treatments to foster sustainable peace.
Integrating Positive Peace and Systems Thinking in GFA Initiatives
Alignment with GFA’s Objectives: The GFA's emphasis on preventing conflict through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach is naturally complemented by the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace. By focusing on these pillars, GFA initiatives can target the root causes of fragility and conflict, from governance and economic conditions to social cohesion and respect for human rights.
Holistic and Adaptive Strategies: Systems Thinking enables practitioners to design interventions under the GFA that are both holistic and adaptive. By understanding the complex systems within fragile states, initiatives can be more effectively designed to promote the pillars of Positive Peace, resulting in interventions that are more resilient to changing circumstances and more likely to have a lasting impact.
Interagency Coordination: Both the 8 Pillars framework and Systems Thinking emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives and stakeholder engagement. This aligns with the GFA's call for interagency collaboration, ensuring that efforts are unified and that knowledge and resources are shared effectively across sectors.
Measuring Impact: The measurable nature of the 8 Pillars allows for the evaluation of GFA initiatives over time, providing clear indicators for improvement in the conditions contributing to peace and stability. This can greatly enhance the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) efforts required under the GFA, offering evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of interventions.
Case Study Application: To illustrate, consider a GFA initiative aimed at reducing community violence in a fragile state. By applying the 8 Pillars framework and Systems Thinking, the initiative might focus on improving equitable resource distribution and enhancing government functionality as leverage points. Programs could range from supporting local governance reforms to launching economic development projects that directly engage marginalized communities. Systems Thinking would ensure these interventions are designed with an understanding of the local context, including power dynamics and community needs, increasing their effectiveness and sustainability.
Below are recommendations and examples of such programs, aimed at elucidating the benefits of integrating positive peace principles into GFA goals:
Recommendations for Programs Supporting Local Governance Reforms
Capacity Building for Local Governments: Programs should focus on increasing the administrative capacity of local governments. This can involve training local officials in governance best practices, financial management, and effective service delivery. Inspired by the successful implementation in post-conflict Rwanda, where local governance capacity building facilitated community development and reconciliation, similar programs can promote stability and order—a pillar of positive peace.
Community Policing Initiatives: Enhancing the relationship between law enforcement and communities can contribute to the pillar of good relations with neighbors. Programs that foster dialogue, trust, and collaboration between police forces and the communities they serve, akin to the community policing models in Colombia, can reduce violence and build social cohesion.
Participatory Budgeting: Engaging communities in decision-making processes regarding public spending can improve transparency and accountability. For example, participatory budgeting programs in Brazil have led to improved resource distribution and increased public participation, aligning with the equity and inclusion pillars of positive peace.
Examples of Economic Development Projects for Marginalized Communities
Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Support: Offering microloans and entrepreneurship training to individuals in marginalized communities can stimulate economic activity and empower individuals. The Grameen Bank model in Bangladesh demonstrates how access to financial resources can uplift entire communities, promoting economic pillars of positive peace by reducing poverty and increasing economic opportunities.
Agricultural Development and Sustainability Projects: Investing in sustainable agriculture in communities that rely on farming can improve food security, income stability, and environmental sustainability. Projects similar to the "Feed the Future" initiative by USAID in African countries have shown that improving agricultural techniques and market access can directly contribute to a sound business environment and equitable distribution of resources.
Vocational Training and Job Placement Programs: Providing skills training linked to local market needs and facilitating job placements can address unemployment and underemployment among marginalized groups. Programs like those implemented in post-conflict Sierra Leone, focusing on youth employment and vocational training, support the positive peace pillars of equitable resource distribution and creating well-functioning government by contributing to economic development and reducing incentives for engagement in conflict. [The Joint Response]
Programs focusing on youth employment and vocational training in post-conflict Sierra Leone have been implemented by various international and local organizations, each contributing to the nation's recovery and development in different ways. Among these, notable contributions have been made by:
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The UNDP has been instrumental in several initiatives aimed at increasing youth employment and providing vocational training in Sierra Leone. Through its Youth Employment and Empowerment Programme (YEEP), the UNDP has sought to improve the livelihoods of young people by enhancing vocational training opportunities and facilitating their entry into the workforce.
International Labour Organization (ILO): The ILO has also played a significant role in promoting youth employment in Sierra Leone, particularly through skills development and vocational training programs. The ILO's efforts often focus on creating sustainable employment opportunities by incorporating market demands and promoting entrepreneurship among young individuals. [The Youth Employment Network for West Africa (YEN-WA)]
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Various NGOs have initiated programs specifically targeting youth employment and vocational training in Sierra Leone. Organizations such as Youth Action International (YAI), which focuses on rebuilding war-torn African communities, have provided technical and vocational education training (TVET) to young Sierra Leoneans, aiming to equip them with skills necessary for employment.
Sierra Leonean Government Initiatives: The government of Sierra Leone has also launched initiatives aimed at enhancing youth employment opportunities through vocational training and skills development. The National Youth Commission of Sierra Leone, for example, has been involved in implementing policies and programs designed to increase youth participation in the labor market.
These programs are essential for Sierra Leone's recovery from its civil war, providing young people with the skills and opportunities needed to contribute to their country's development. By targeting the economic empowerment of youth, these initiatives help address some of the root causes of instability and build a more stable and prosperous future for Sierra Leone.
Implementing these programs requires a holistic understanding of the local context, including the specific needs of marginalized communities and the broader socio-political dynamics. By focusing on governance reforms and economic development projects that engage these communities, GFA initiatives can build the foundations of positive peace, addressing the root causes of fragility and conflict while promoting sustainable development and social cohesion.
Emphasizing positive peace through such programs under the GFA not only addresses immediate fragility and conflict concerns but also lays the groundwork for lasting peace and prosperity, ensuring interventions are both effective and resilient in the face of future challenges.
Conclusion
The integration of the IEP's 8 Pillars of Positive Peace and Systems Thinking into U.S. Global Fragility Act initiatives represents a comprehensive methodology for fostering durable peace and stability. By focusing on the root causes of fragility and conflict and adopting a holistic, system-wide approach, such initiatives are more likely to achieve the desired outcomes of conflict prevention and long-term peacebuilding. As the world continues to navigate complex challenges, the synergy between these methodologies and the GFA's objectives offers a promising path forward for international peace and security
Keywords:
Positive Peace,
U.S. Global Fragility Act,
conflict prevention,
peacebuilding,
Systems Thinking,
Institute for Economics & Peace,
fragile states,
interagency collaboration,
GFA initiatives,
community violence,
local governance,
economic development,
youth employment,
vocational training
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