Our Work

REGIONAL WORK

International Alert works in countries and regions that are experiencing armed conflict, facing the threat of it or trying to deal with its aftermath. Peace cannot be made on behalf of people in war-torn and war-threatened territories, but work can be done to equip individuals, organisations and communities with the knowledge and skills that will radically improve their chances of avoiding violence.

We do this through bringing groups and people who are divided by conflict together into dialogue to improve mutual understanding and identify new solutions to persistent problems. We also accompany partner organisations in conflict zones through peace processes, building their capacities to build lasting peace by offering training, advice and support.

Our work is based on careful and continuing analysis of each situation, and it is therefore part of our approach to gain an understanding of the root causes of conflict in the regions where we work by learning from those who live and work in the region. We then ensure that the perspectives and priorities of our local partners are represented at the highest international policy levels.

Our work in countries affected or threatened by conflict is in the Great Lakes region of Africa, West Africa, the Caucasus and Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia, Middle East, Latin America and the UK.

THEMATIC WORK

Awareness of sustainable peace processes at government and international levels has grown over the past decade, but decision-makers at these levels need more insight into the practical consequences of their decisions and priorities in conflict regions. The Peacebuilding Issues Programme does this by ensuring that the perspectives and priorities of our local partners are represented at the highest international levels and by providing specialist support on the ground.

We take the concept of strategic peacebuilding as our starting point, a comprehensive approach which recognises that lasting peace is dependent on equitable social and economic development, accountable and transparent government, the physical security of citizens, impartial justice and genuine reconciliation.

Alert’s Peacebuilding Issues Programme focuses on issues critical to addressing the underlying causes of conflict.