Evaluation of EC support to conflict prevention and peacebuilding

In October 2011, the European Commission published an evaluation of its support to conflict prevention and peacebuilding during the period 2001-2010.

Click here to download the evaluation and here to read Andrew Sherriff’s (Senior Executive: International Relations, ECDPM) views on it.

Throughout 2012 (and beyond), EPLO will be working to ensure that the findings of this long-awaited evaluation are translated into concrete actions for increasing the effectiveness of the EU’s support to conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Power Analysis: The EU and Peacebuilding after Lisbon

EPLO has published a resource on the roles and responsibilities of EU policymakers – insofar as they relate to conflict – following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. Click here to download the document entitled Power Analysis: The EU and Peacebuilding after Lisbon.

Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje awarded by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE (Max van der Stoel Award 2011)

The winner of this year’s Max van der Stoel Award is the Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje (NDC Skopje).

The official justification for bestowing this prestigious Award to NDC Skopje states the following:

“The International Jury of the Max van der Stoel Award has decided to give its 2011 Award to the Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje (NDC Skopje) for its outstanding work to promote integrated education and improve co-operation between different ethnic communities…”

For more information, please click here.

Strengthening Global Peace and Security for Development: The Role of Regional International Organisations and Civil Society

On 15-16 November 2011, EPLO member organisation the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) – together with the Organization of American States – will host a conference on ‘Strengthening Global Peace and Security for Development: The Role of Regional International Organisations and Civil Society’ in Madrid, Spain.

Click here for more information about this event or to register your participation.

swisspeace Annual Conference 2011: Money Makers as Peace Makers? The Role of Business in Conflict Zones

EPLO member organisation swisspeace will hold its Annual Conference 2011 on Tuesday 15 November 2011 in Bern.

Click here for more information about the conference entitled ‘Money Makers as Peace Makers? The Role of Business in Conflict Zones’

EPLO statement on the EIB and conflict sensitivity published

EPLO has published a statement on the EIB entitled The EIB and conflict sensitivity. Click here to read the statement.

Stories of Peace Challenge

EPLO member organisation the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) has launched a writing competition for people with an interest in or experience of peacebuilding initiatives.

The best 25 stories will be published in a book entitled ‘People Building Peace 2.0′. Each winning author will each receive 10 copies of the book and the overall winner will receive the special prize of customised features and professional services on the Peace Portal (worth € 500).

Click here for more information about the competition (Deadline for submitting entries: Wednesday 31 August 2011)

Council conclusions on conflict prevention

The Foreign Affairs Council has adopted a set of conclusions on conflict prevention. During their recent meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers agreed on the need to strengthen early warning and partnerships with the UN, the OSCE, NATO, the World Bank, the African Union and other international actors; and to take early action to mitigate the risks of outbreak and recurrence of conflicts.

Although the Council did not adopt any firm commitments for implementation, it did agree to revisit the issue of conflict prevention by the end of 2011.

World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security and Development

The latest edition of the World Bank’s World Development Report was published on 11 April 2011.

EPLO welcomes the new report – subtitled ‘Conflict, Security and Development’ – and its central message that strengthening legitimate institutions and governance to provide citizen security, justice, and jobs is crucial to breaking cycles of violence.

Click on the following links to read what the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, Leni Wild from the Overseas Development Institute, and EPLO member organisations Conciliation Resources, International Alert, the International Center for Transitional Justice and the International Crisis Group all said about the Report.

NGOs and the Government of the Netherlands demand greater action from the EU in response to situations of fragility

The second Civil Society Dialogue Network Member State Meeting took place on Wednesday 6 April in The Hague. Entitled ‘Peacebuilding, Statebuilding and Situations of Fragility’, the aim of this meeting was to encourage an exchange of ideas and discussion and between EU officials, representatives of the Government of the Netherlands and civil society organisations from both Europe and conflict-affected regions on the current status of the EU’s policies on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and situations of fragility.

Click here to read a speech delivered by the Dutch Minister for European Affairs and International Co-operation, Ben Knapen, at the start of the meeting and here to read a blog post from The Broker about the event.

The key points made by participants are available to download from the Civil Society Dialogue Network page of the EPLO website and a full meeting report will be available soon.