Publications

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

Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in Uganda

David — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:00:57 +0000

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. It furthermore highlights the potential of private sector actors to contribute to the design of socio-economic reintegration processes which are linked to realistic livelihood opportunities, and the need for donor interventions to provide long-term, sustainable support to beneficiaries.

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

978-1-906677-36-7

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 Liberia

David — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:48:01 +0000

Oversubscription, financial constraints, unrealistic timelines and a format transposed from other countries with insufficient consideration for the local context were some of the pitfalls of the disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration process in Liberia. This case study critically explores the effectiveness of the component geared towards providing ex-combatants with long-term livelihood opportunities and psycho-social support. It illustrates the drawbacks associated with limited involvement of the local business community and women’s groups in the design and implementation of the reintegration programme. The study also discusses the importance of community-based initiatives and life-skills coaching, with a view to empowering ex-combatants to not only secure sustainable livelihoods but also contribute to the rebuilding of societies whose social and economic fabric has been disrupted by violent conflict.

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

978-1-906677-35-0

Healing fractured lives

David — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:35:34 +0000

Reconciliation and reintegration in Rwanda

This report looks at the reconciliation and reintegration of genocide survivors, former combatants, ex-prisoners and youth in Rwanda, and what lessons can be learned from the experience.

978-1-906677-96-1

The North Caucasus Factor in the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict Context

chandani — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:17:39 +0000

From the series "Dialogue through Research", International Alert presents the latest analysis from its Georgian-Abkhaz dialogue process on the North Caucasus factor in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict context. Since the 2008 war, the Georgian Government has stepped up efforts to establish links with the peoples of the North Caucasus, to draw them into mutually beneficial partner relations. The case for promoting regional stability in the context of unresolved conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia and ongoing instability in the North Caucasus is strong. However, to understand the complexity of the issues, it is necessary to examine the North Caucasus factor from a number of perspectives. This collection of articles examines political and social trends in the North Caucasus, as well as historical and contemporary relations, including the North Caucasus factor in the 1992-1993 Georgian-Abkhaz and August 2008 Russian-Georgian wars.

978-1-906677-97-8

The North Caucasus Factor in the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict Context (Russian)

chandani — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:21:29 +0000

Фактор Северного Кавказа в контексте грузино- абхазского конфликта

С помощью серии «Диалог через исследования» International Alert представляет результаты последнего анализа процесса грузино-абхазского диалога [Фактор Северного Кавказа в контексте грузино-абхазского конфликта]. После войны 2008 г. правительство Грузии предпринимает целый ряд усилий для установления связей с народами Северного Кавказа и для привлечения их к взаимовыгодным партнерским отношениям. Имеются веские доводы в пользу укрепления региональной стабильности в контексте неразрешенных конфликтов с Абхазией и Южной Осетией и при отсутствии стабильности на Северном Кавказе. Однако для понимания сложности этих вопросов необходимо проанализировать северокавказский фактор с нескольких точек зрения. В данном сборнике статей проанализированы политические и социальные тенденции на Северном Кавказе, а также исторические и современные отношения, в том числе северокавказский фактор в грузино-абхазской войне 1992-1993 гг. и российско-грузинской войне августа 2008 г.

978-1-906677-98-5

Peace and Conflict Assessment of South Sudan 2012

chandani — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 11:55:32 +0000

South Sudan emerged as an independent nation in 2011 after decades of war. One year later, Alert presents the findings of a wide-ranging Peace and Conflict Assessment. Commissioned by Pact and funded by the Department for International Development, the assessment looks beyond the immediate problems faced by South Sudanese, and proposes a long-term approach to building peace. This means for example working on conflict prevention instead of just conflict resolution, designing economic development strategies which promote peace, giving greater priority to reconciliation, tackling impunity, and promoting a positive and peaceful national identity for the new country born out of war. Engaging women and young people is critical.

978-1-906677-23-7

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.

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

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 County Perspective Bong County, Liberia

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:46:57 +0000

This briefing paper focuses on Bong County in central Liberia, one of the areas worst affected by conflict in the Mano River Union. It forms part of International Alert’s work to address the current gaps in knowledge and understanding between local actors in the leeward counties and those in Monrovia. Each briefing in this series aims to outline current security and justice needs and challenges in a particular county and advance constructive recommendations for ways in which national and international actors could address these challenges. It is based on research undertaken as part of Alert’s work for the Security Cluster of the Initiative for Peacebuilding project.

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 County Perspective: Lofa County, Liberia

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:38:33 +0000

This briefing paper focuses on Lofa County in northern Liberia, one of the areas worst affected by conflict in the Mano River Union. It forms part of International Alert’s work to address the current gaps in knowledge and understanding between local actors in the leeward counties and those in Monrovia. Each briefing in this series aims to outline current security and justice needs and challenges in a particular county and advance constructive recommendations for ways in which national and international actors could address these challenges. It is based on research undertaken as part of Alert’s work for the Security Cluster of the Initiative for Peacebuilding project.

Security and Justice from a County Perspective Grand Gedeh County, Liberia

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:43:56 +0000

This briefing paper focuses on Grand Gedeh County in southeast Liberia, one of the areas worst affected by conflict in the Mano River Union. It forms part of International Alert’s work to address the current gaps in knowledge and understanding between local actors in the leeward counties and those in Monrovia. Each briefing in this series aims to outline current security and justice needs and challenges in a particular county and advance constructive recommendations for ways in which national and international actors could address these challenges. It is based on research undertaken as part of Alert’s work for the Security Cluster of the Initiative for Peacebuilding project.

Planning for Action on Women and Peace and Security

chandani — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:31:45 +0000

National-Level Implementation of Resolution 1325 (2000)

This report reviews different approaches to the implementation of international Women, Peace and Security frameworks, focusing particularly on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. It focuses on how the resolution can be incorporated into concrete policy guidelines and programmatic initiatives and highlights good practices and lessons learnt over the last decades. It is expected that the information and examples contained in the review will support and advance the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of more and stronger Women, Peace and Security action plans that will turn Resolution 1325 into a living reality to improve the situation of women affected by conflict.

978-92-1-130287-5

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Bara

chandani — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:05:15 +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 Bara, a district in the central Terai where the activities of armed groups are contributing to feelings of insecurity.

Security and Justice from a District Perspective: Rukum

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

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.