Economy and Peacebuilding

Red Flags for companies

New iPhone app provides guidance on working in high-risk areas

Download the Red Flags app here

We have launched a free iPhone app to warn businesses about the risks of them being implicated in human rights abuses in high-risk areas. Download the app here.

Desislava Stoitchkova - Senior Programme Officer
Wed, 31/07/2013

Mining in Africa

How to mitigate risks in areas affected by conflict

Platinum mine, South Africa, 2007. Photo by LianeGreeffLast month International Alert participated in the conference 'Sharing the benefits of the commodity boom', organised by Mining on Top: Africa in partnership with the Commonwealth Business Council and UK Trade and Investment.

Zahed Yousuf - Senior Programme Officer
Fri, 26/07/2013

Corporate responsibility in Pakistan

Alert helps Lahore business school sign up to global principles

Lahore University of Management SciencesAfter continued support from International Alert, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan has joined the UN Global Compact (UNGC).

Aurangzeb Haneef - National Project Coordinator, Pakistan
Thu, 11/07/2013

Natural resources in a conflict context

A blog by our Secretary General

Oil extraction in Uganda. Photo by International Alert/SWORD ImagesFor a developing country facing high poverty levels, a growing population with high expectations despite a poor revenue base and weak institutions, but with an abundance of natural resources, exploiting them looks like the path to glory. Experience from a range of countries shows that, to put it mildly, it's not so straightforward.

Missing the poorest for the trees?

REDD+ and the links between forestry, resilience and peacebuilding
Tobias F. Dorr
Adriaan B. Heskamp
Ian B. Madison
Katherine D. Reichel
May, 2013
International Alert
52 pages
London, UK

This report examines how forestry projects under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) initiative affect pre-existing structures of power, economy, fairness, safety and wellbeing in Brazil, Indonesia and Uganda, and how they may exacerbate pre-existing conflicts over land and resources. The report also looks at how REDD+ funds could provide the opportunity to diversify livelihoods, encourage sustainable development and enhance the adaptive capacity of local populations in the face of a changing climate.

This report examines how forestry projects positively and negatively affect pre-existing structures of power, economy, fairness, safety, and wellbeing in Brazil, Indonesia and Uganda.

Publication Image

Curse or cure?

Natural resource management in Liberia

On 15-16 May, International Alert co-hosted a conference in Monrovia on natural resource management in Liberia.

Fri, 31/05/2013

Oil in the Great Lakes

Uganda and DRC discuss oil and gas exploration

As oil and gas exploration gathers pace on Uganda’s northwestern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), efforts are being made to minimise conflicts among border communities and ensure that the border remains tension-free.

Bernard Atuhaire - Senior Research and Communications Officer, Uganda
Thu, 30/05/2013

Revolutions of aspiration and expectation

Opportunities for building peace in Arab transition states

Protestors oppose Mubarak verdicts, Tahrir Square, Egypt, 2012. Photo by Lorenz KhazalehPolitical transitions from autocracy to democracy are a dangerous time. Risks of conflict are high as new regimes struggle to build or rebuild vital institutions and manage public expectation for rapid change – both political and economic.

Rebecca Crozier – Head of Development, Emerging Programmes
Wed, 29/05/2013

Is mining a development industry?

A blog by our Director of Programmes

Phalaborwa Mines, South Africa. Photo by Roman Betik, 2012In an earlier post I wrote about how mining companies have evolved to take into account the needs of their host communities.

Fri, 03/05/2013

Peace on the frontier

How businesses are promoting peace in Pakistan's tribal areas

International Alert recently participated in the fifth national conference of the UN Global Compact Pakistan Local Network (UNGCPLN), held in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Aurangzeb Haneef - National Project Coordinator, Pakistan
Mon, 29/04/2013

Oil, governance and livelihoods

The impact of oil exploration in Uganda’s oil-rich Albetine Graben

Last week we launched a new report, Governance and livelihoods in Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine Graben.

Robert Esuruku – Head of Research, Uganda
Wed, 03/04/2013

Governance and livelihoods in Uganda's oil-rich Albertine Graben

International Alert
March, 2013
International Alert
60 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-38-1

This study was commissioned by International Alert and the Democratic Governance Facility in March 2012. It was carried out in the Albertine Graben, where oil exploration activities are ongoing. The study was conducted within the framework of the Harnessing the Potential of Oil to Contribute to Peace and Development in Uganda project, which is currently being implemented by International Alert and its partners.

This report measures the degree and quality of change in the livelihoods of the communities in Uganda's Albertine Graben region, where oil exploration is taking place.

Publication Image

Out of the shadows

Violent conflict and the real economy of Mindanao

International Alert recently launched a new book called Out of the shadows: Violent conflict and the real economy of Mindanao.

The book presents the results of research into the linkages between violent conflict and the informal or ‘shadow’ economy in Mindanao, the conflict-affected region in the southern Philippines.

Steven Schoofs
Thu, 14/02/2013

Business after conflict

Sustainable business and the bottom line

A fishing ship is loaded with clean containers for its next trip - Walvis Bay, Namibia. Photo by John Hogg/World BankLast year, staff from our economy and peacebuilding and international institutions teams attended the conference ‘Business after conflict: Investing in the new Africa’ in Nairobi, Kenya.

Sara Batmanglich, Senior Programme Officer
Thu, 24/01/2013

Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in Uganda

Zuleika Candan
October, 2012
International Alert
12 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-36-7

The case of northern Uganda illustrates the difficulties of socio-economic reintegration faced not only by ex-combatants, but also by IDPs and war-affected youth in the post-conflict environment. It discusses the marginalisation of former abductees in particular, with a focus on the specific challenges that the reintegration process posed for girls and women. The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach, and of extending support to receiving communities so as to facilitate the return of former combatants and war-affected youth more generally.

The case study illustrates the difficulties of socio-economic reintegration faced by ex-combatants, young people and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the post-conflict environment of northern Uganda, and highlights the potential role of private sector actors in the process.

Publication Image
Syndicate content