Publications

Integrated or isolated?

David — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:03:54 +0000

How state and non-state justice systems work for justice in Nepal

In the context of transition from conflict to peace in Nepal, and the associated urgent need for the state to be seen to enforce rule of law and ensure access to justice for all, this report documents research which examines the relationship between state and non-state justice mechanisms. The purpose of this research is to begin to identify opportunities for strengthening coordination between state and non-state justice providers, with the aim of improving access to justice. Its intended audience is state security and justice providers, and those involved in supporting non-state justice mechanisms such as paralegal committees and community mediation programmes.

Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments

David — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:41:36 +0000

Case study series summary

This report summarises the findings of a series of case studies which explore the socio-economic aspects of reintegration programmes for ex-combatants in a number of conflict-affected countries where International Alert works: Nepal, Liberia and Uganda. The aim of the series is to stimulate discussions at the local, national and international level about the role that private sector actors can play in the effective reintegration of ex-combatants, and to strengthen practice by developing recommendations for future socio-economic reintegration programmes.

978-1-906677-33-6

Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in Nepal

David — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:51:16 +0000

This case study discusses rehabilitation efforts in Nepal following the Comprehensive Peace Accord of 2006 and geared towards those ex-combatants who were either verified minors or late recruits (VMLRs). It examines the outcomes of the process and highlights the role that private sector actors can play in the socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants. The study critically explores the challenges that VMLRs encountered when enrolling in the rehabilitation programme, the vocational training options they were presented with, as well as the inhibiting factors which impacted on their ability to find gainful employment and attain sustainable livelihoods upon graduation. It highlights the tensions between ex-combatants’ immediate versus long-term interests, the need to align training modules with local market realities, and the barriers that misinformation and suspicion within the business community can pose to reintegration processes.

This report is part of the case study series, Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments.

978-1-906677-34-3

Defining Theories of Change

chandani — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:18:39 +0000

Peacebuilding with Impact

This report focuses on how theories of change can improve the effectiveness of peacebuilding interventions. A review of 19 peacebuilding projects in three conflict-affected countries found that the process of articulating and reviewing theories of change adds rigour and transparency, clarifies project logic, highlights assumptions that need to be tested, and helps identify appropriate participants and partners. However, the approach has limitations, including the difficulty of gathering theory-validating evidence.

Conflict-Sensitive Responses to Climate Change in South Asia

paul — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:05:38 +0000

Practice Note

This note explains the importance of using a conflict-sensitive approach to responding to climate change in South Asia. It offers guidelines and emerging principles on how climate change and development policy makers and practitioners can promote peace-positive adaptation actions which can yield the double dividend of building resilience to climate change and conflict. Issues of water, land, energy and food security are highly affected by climate change. At the same time, inappropriate governance of these issues lies at the root of conflicts across the region. The note proposes that engagement in these areas needs to be approached in a comprehensive way which maximises the productive capacity of local communities, while also minimising the risk of instability and conflict.

Peacebuilding, the World Bank and the United Nations

chandani — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:54:55 +0000

Debates and Practice in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal: Summary

Why is development progress difficult in fragile and conflict-affected countries? International Alert conducted a series of studies in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal to explore this question in terms of how international institutions channel aid to support peace and development progress. The studies focused on two multilaterals: the World Bank and the United Nations. From the country studies, some common institutional challenges and opportunities emerged: governance and political legitimacy; responsiveness to fast-changing contexts; managing organisational mandates; harnessing comparative advantage between institutions; and translating policy commitments into practice. This summary of research findings and analysis includes a series of emerging recommendations. Rather than providing answers, this paper uses evidence to stimulate new conversation, thinking and practice.

978-1-906677-06-0

Insights: International Institutions, Aid Effectiveness and Peacebuilding in Nepal

chandani — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:57:09 +0000

This series of three country “Insights” identifies peacebuilding priorities in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal, and discusses the response of the international institutions operating there. The focus institutions are primarily the World Bank and the UN. The insights provide a brief snapshot and analysis of each country’s particular peacebuilding needs, as well as the dynamics that either facilitate or hinder institutional ability to address these needs. Findings inform a synthesis report entitled ‘Peacebuilding, the World Bank and the United Nations: Debates and Practice in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal’, the summary of which is available here. This work is part of Alert’s International Institutions Programme which seeks through research and engagement to strengthen the peacebuilding impacts of international institutions in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

978-1-906677-16-9

Breaking Patterns of Sexual and Gender-based Violence

chandani — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:36:36 +0000

Security and Justice Provision in Post-Conflict Nepal

Sexual and gender-based violence is one of five key security challenges currently facing Nepal. Left untackled, such violence, plus the increase in armed groups; proliferation of small arms and light weapons; rises in crime and political strikes pose a serious risk to the peace process. This paper provides insight into how to strengthen security and justice responses to the principle risk for women in post-conflict Nepal, sexual and gender-based violence. Three broad recommendations are proposed to international donors, particularly the EU.

Climate Change, Governance and Fragility: Rethinking Adaptation

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:36:46 +0000

Lessons from Nepal

This paper is a collection of reflections from a field visit to three districts in the middle hills and Terai belt of eastern Nepal (Sunsari, Dhankuta and Morang) which set out to explore the various dimensions of the resilience of climate-affected communities. By sharing the perceptions and insights of community members from these districts, this paper aims to shed light on the complexities of these particular local contexts and flag some of the specific challenges of responding to climate change in fragile and conflict-affected contexts such as Nepal.

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Rasuwa, Nepal

paul — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:27:50 +0000

Snapshot series 1

This snapshot briefing paper looks at the situation of security and justice provision in Rasuwa district in the central region of Nepal. This sparsely populated mountain district is situated due north of Kathmandu and shares a border with China on its northern side. The security situation in Rasuwa district is fair in comparison to many other districts, particularly those in the Terai where the police struggle to control the activities of numerous armed and criminal groups. In contrast to the Terai districts where levels of gender based violence are extremely high, this district populated by 63.75 percent of Tamang ethnicity has different story to tell. This briefing assesses security and justice provision against this backdrop and outlines implications for national and international policy-makers.

978-1-906677-87-9

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Mahottari, Nepal

paul — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:15:29 +0000

Snapshot series 1

This snapshot briefing paper looks at the situation of security and justice provision in Mahottari district in the central Terai region of Nepal. Mahottari is a border district where the police struggle to control the activities of numerous armed and criminal groups, and levels of gender based violence are extremely high. This briefing assesses security and justice provision against this backdrop and outlines implications for national and international policy-makers.

78-1-906677-83-1

Participation and Obstruction: Justice and Security Sector Refom in Nepal

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:21:26 +0000

Country Case Study: Nepal

This briefing paper aims to outline priorities for international community support for the effective and accountable provision of security and justice in Nepal. It aims to highlight the need for utilising a participatory approaches in the promotion of people-centred reform of the security and justice system. There is growing political will to address these issues on a national and international level, yet the international community could improve its response with improved coordination and increasing the capacity of local actors to participate in any future justice and security sector reform process.

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Rukum

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:53:48 +0000

These ‘snapshot’ briefings are part of a longer-term initiative by International Alert to help address the current gaps in knowledge and understanding between those actors at the district level and those in Kathmandu. Each briefing aims to outline current security and justice needs and challenges in a particular district, and advance constructive recommendations for ways in which national and international actors could address these challenges. The briefings are based on research undertaken as part of Alert’s work for the Initiative for Peacebuilding project.

This snapshot focuses on Rukum, a district in the western hill region at the heart of the Maoist conflict. This briefing examines the security situation in the district four years after the signing of the peace agreement.

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Dang

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:56:50 +0000

This snapshot focuses on Dang, a district in the western Terai where political party youth wings are increasingly blamed for exacerbating insecurity.

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Bara

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:05:15 +0000

Private sector and public security in Nepal

paul — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:15:32 +0000

Perceptions and responses

Security and Justice in Nepal

editor — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:58:39 +0000

International Alert is seeking to build on previous initiatives to inform and advance EU thinking on the reintegration of ex-combatants into post-conflict societies and economies. This is the second of two briefing papers produced as part of a year-long initiative aimed at reinvigorating the debate on reintegration. Based on research in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal, it discusses why the lessons of past reintegration programmes are not being learned and what implications this has for future EU disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programming. It was used in draft form to inform discussions at an Alert Roundtable held in Brussels in November 2009.

978-1-904833-48-2

Socio-Economic Reintegration Of Ex-Combatants

editor — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:37:04 +0000

Understanding And Addressing Key Challenges

978-1-906677-60-2