THE UNITED NATIONS

With a clear security mandate and numerous conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities across the world, the United Nations is the most prevalent and, arguably, visible multilateral institution in countries experiencing or emerging from violent conflict. International Alert has been working with and lobbying the UN on various issues but, with the creation of the new Peacebuilding Commission, we now have an opportunity to target our efforts more closely.

The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) was established in December 2005 to help countries in post-conflict peacebuilding, recovery, reconstruction and development. Since it began its work in mid-2006, the PBC has been seen by International Alert and others as an opportunity to build peace more effectively. The Commission’s first activities are now well underway, focusing initially on Burundi and Sierra Leone. In the light of International Alert’s long-standing peacebuilding experience in Central and West Africa, we have been closely following the development of the PBC. In addition, Alert’s Secretary General, Dan Smith, has been selected as one of 10 members of the Advisory Group overseeing the UN’s new Peacebuilding Fund, which will provide financial resources for peacebuilding activities.

In late 2006 Alert submitted recommendations for how the PBC should prioritise its work both generically and in Burundi specifically. We identified priority areas for policy dialogue and sustained commitment to change, such as the independence and impartiality in the justice systems and the mitigation of tensions over land and gender equality.

Alert will continue to provide our advice and expertise to optimise the PBC’s ability to improve the situation of those suffering from conflict and insecurity. Currently the most important message for the PBC is not to rush the adoption of hastily drafted peacebuilding strategies, but to ensure that, through consultation with all relevant stakeholders, clear goals, objectives, indicators and targets are identified. For the PBC to make a difference, the roadmap has to be identifiable and credible.

At International Alert, our work with the UN on gender issues has evolved from our campaign with other organisations beginning in 1999 which successfully advocated for the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in October 2000. This is a watershed political framework that emphasises a gender perspective and the pursuit of gender equality in all aspects of peacebuilding.

Alert continues to work to ensure the full implementation of SCR 1325 by the UN – not least within the UN Peacebuilding Commission. Gender equality and a stronger emphasis on SCR 1325 were among the top priorities we have been advocating for with the PBC. In addition, as a founding member and instrumental voice in the UN NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, Alert has carried out a number of high-profile advocacy events to, among other things, bring the voices of Burundian and Sierra Leonean women to PBC decision-makers at UN Headquarters in New York. You can read about the event here.

For more information on Resolution 1325 and the PBC, download the NGO Working Group’s 2006 report: SCR 1325 and the Peacebuilding Commission.