we build peace
International Alert has been a force for peace for many years and the time has come for people to recognise the results of their quiet work of peacebuilding. ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu
International Alert is one of the world s leading peacebuilding organisations. We help people find peaceful solutions to conflict and have nearly 30 years of experience working in over 25 countries around the world to build peace.
What is peace? Peace is when people are able to resolve their conflicts without violence and can work together to improve the quality of their lives. Peace is when: 1 2 3 4 5 Everyone lives in safety, without fear or threat of violence, and no form of violence is tolerated in law or in practice. Everyone is equal before the law, the systems for justice are trusted and fair and effective laws protect people s rights. Everyone is able to participate in shaping political decisions and the government is accountable to the people. Everyone has fair and equal access to the basic needs for their wellbeing such as food, clean water, shelter, education, healthcare and a decent living environment. Everyone has an equal opportunity to work and make a living, regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other aspect of identity.
We build peace We help people find peaceful solutions to conflict. We empower local people to build peace by providing them with training, advice and support. We bring together communities divided by conflict to find ways of resolving their differences without violence. International Alert/Jonathan Banks We advise companies, governments and international organisations on how their policies and operations can better support peace. We research the root causes of conflict around the world. We address key issues that affect lasting peace and stability in high-risk places.
Where we work We work together with local communities, partners and organisations in over 25 countries and regions around the world that have experienced or are threatened by violent conflict. We also work with international institutions such as the United Nations, European Union, African Union and World Bank to strengthen their role in peacebuilding. LATIN AMERICA We reduce conflict over land and natural resources between indigenous communities and mining companies.
EUROPE We address community tensions and violence in the UK, and train European government officials on their role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA We work with people affected by conflict to challenge attitudes and foster peace, and have established a regional business network to bridge ethnic, religious and national divides. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA We strengthen the relationship between civil society and governments, and provide guidance on investing in regions affected by conflict. AFRICA We work on the ground with local communities, rebuilding the lives of genocide survivors, empowering women politically and economically, and ensuring equal benefits from natural resources. SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA We work with local people to improve public security and access to justice, and advise on how businesses can operate in a conflict-sensitive way.
Africa We have worked in the Great Lakes and West Africa regions since the mid-1990s, and are now starting to work in the Horn of Africa. Due to the interconnected nature of conflict and instability, our work focuses both on specific countries and regions as a whole. We also work with institutions such as the African Union to influence international policies relevant to peace and security in Africa. In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo we integrate peacebuilding into local development programmes to address conflicts over resources, identity and power, and also promote women s political and economic empowerment. In Rwanda we support the reintegration and reconciliation of genocide survivors, perpetrators and ex-combatants with trauma counselling, dialogue clubs and microfinance. Carol Allen Storey for International Alert We promote transparency and accountability between the government and communities in Uganda to ensure that the oil industry operates in a way that contributes to peace. In Burundi we promote peaceful economic development and the integration of gender into the national poverty reduction strategy. We build civil society alliances to work on peace and reconciliation in Liberia and bring our peacebuilding expertise to stability and reconciliation programmes in Nigeria. I joined the dialogue club to find solace. It helped me realise there is no future for peace unless I can live in peace with my neighbours. Patricia, Rwanda
Caucasus and Central Asia Many conflicts in the Caucasus and Central Asia have their roots in the way power and government authority was organised in the Soviet Union and the consequences of its subsequent collapse. The conflicts are characterised by struggles over territory, political power and national or ethnic identity. In the Caucasus, conflict has led to fragmented territories, closed borders and little interaction between peoples. Since 1993 we have been working with local journalists, teachers, business people and cultural figures to promote shared identities, social change and economic cooperation across the region. In Central Asia, tensions over ethnicity and religion have grown in recent years. Since 2005 we have been fostering communications between religious communities and the government, strengthening the skills of local mediators and developing journalists skills to cover sensitive news in a more balanced way. I work on Alert s project because it gives me hope that my daughter s generation will be able to restore trust across conflict divides. Valeriy Basaria, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Georgia International Alert/Jonathan Banks
Latin America Despite its wealth of natural resources and biodiversity, there are numerous challenges for businesses in Latin America. These include high levels of poverty, fragile economies, insecurity, political instability and inadequate governance, especially in those countries that are facing, or have faced, violent conflict. We strengthen the relationships between civil society organisations in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. This means they can better protect their rights and increase the political participation of marginalised groups affected by large-scale investment, such as indigenous communities. We work with communities, governments and the extractive, agricultural and construction industries to improve dialogue and trust between them. This helps businesses to understand the risks and impacts of their operations, and to work in a way which is sensitive to conflict and respects human rights. Alejo Arango Alert s project helped to prevent communities in land disputes from turning to violence and instead to seek a negotiated solution. Willer Tenorio, ECOLEX, Ecuador
South and Southeast Asia South and Southeast Asia suffers from multiple and protracted conflicts within and across national borders. For nearly 30 years we have worked on key issues which affect the future peace and stability in the region, including governance, climate change, development aid, and the involvement of young people and vulnerable groups in politics and the economy. In Nepal we advocate for security and justice systems that are inclusive, accountable and effective, by bringing together citizens, youth groups, businesses, police and government to devise ways to tackle the root causes of insecurity. In Sri Lanka we work with the government, businesses and communities to build an inclusive peace and we promote the positive role that people in the diaspora can play in reconciliation, both in their own communities and in Sri Lanka. In the Philippines we work with business leaders, indigenous peoples and governments to help communities shape and benefit from economic development, and we support the peace negotiations between the government and rebel forces. Our projects in Pakistan and Myanmar focus on the role that business and external investment can play in supporting peace. Alert s training on reintegration of ex-combatants taught me the importance of protecting not only those communities that support us, but also those of our former enemies. Col. Hermoso, Inspector General 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army International Alert/Kashish Das Shrestha
Middle East and North Africa The Middle East and North Africa are undergoing a series of political upheavals and internal unrest. In countries affected by the Arab Spring, social, political and economic reforms may lead to more inclusive and participatory government. Yet the pace of change has been slower than people hoped and expected, further escalating tensions and resulting in greater repression in some cases. We work with political parties, civil society, businesses and communities to increase social and political inclusion, strengthen resilience to conflict and encourage economic development that supports peace. Pascal Deloche/Godong/Panos In Lebanon we bring together youth wings of political parties to discuss peace and conflict issues, and work with community leaders to build safer and more stable communities and to reduce the risk of spillover effects from the conflict in Syria. In Tunisia we help civil society organisations to strengthen their capacity to support a peaceful transition. We also provide advice to investors and donors in the Gulf, to guide their economic activities in the region. To invest and create sustainable development is to invest in the right people. Lord John Alderdice, AT ALERT S STRATEGIC INVESTMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, DUBAI
EUROPE Policies and decisions made in Europe can have an impact on peace and stability across the world. We advise officials in the European Union and governments on their role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, and train donors and international NGOs on how their work can best contribute to peace. There are also rising tensions in many European countries that result in expressions of violence which are different from those in the other countries and regions where we work. These tensions stem from issues such as rising inequalities, austerity measures, extremist politics and gang rivalries. We draw on our experience of peacebuilding across the world to address tensions within the United Kingdom. We work with local organisations to help people build stronger communities and to support the relationship between citizens and the state. We work with young people from diaspora communities to explore how conflict in their countries of origin or heritage affects their lives in the UK, and what actions they can take to promote peace. We have been working with International Alert to build trust and dialogue between different community groups in Stockwell, as well as between young people and the wider community. Steve Griffin, Stockwell Partnership, London David Rose/Panos
WHAT WE WORK ON Manoocher Deghati/IRIN We work with local people to understand the key issues which affect their lives and to ensure their voices are heard nationally and internationally. Our work both on the ground and at policy level is underpinned by our understanding of these issues and their importance in building lasting peace. We address the impact of climate change, the economy, gender, governance and the role of international institutions in high-risk places. Climate change Climate change has a disproportionate impact on countries affected by conflict, interacting with factors such as poverty, political instability and social tensions, and jeopardising the chance of sustainable peace. We understand the relationship between climate change and insecurity in vulnerable regions and how to strengthen resilience to its risks and challenges. We provide guidance to national and international actors to ensure that these issues are factored into development and peacebuilding, so that policies on climate change support peace.
ECONOMY Economic development, investment and trade are essential for improving people s livelihoods but can have adverse effects in areas prone to conflict. We help companies to assess the impact of their operations on local communities and work with them to ensure their activities do not fuel tensions or violence, but instead contribute to stability. We also advise governments on how to enhance the peacebuilding potential of their economic policies. Gender Conflict affects women, men, girls and boys in different ways. We carry out research on gender and peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions. We advocate for our findings to be taken into account in peacebuilding and security policies, both locally and internationally. We also provide specialist support, advice and training on gender issues to international development and peacebuilding organisations. International Alert
International Alert Citizenship and governance Prospects for peace are strongest when governments are accountable to the people and laws reflect the common good. If people are subjected to arbitrary power and their demands for fairness and justice are not met, there is always the risk of this exploding into violence. We strengthen relationships between citizens and the state, so they can work towards better public security and access to justice. We also encourage governments to adopt policies which support the freedoms needed for a vibrant civil society. International institutions Institutions like the United Nations, World Bank, European Union and African Union play an important role in supporting communities in the most fragile and conflict-affected countries, but their performance and impact are uneven. We advise on their policies and practices and provide technical expertise to those working in vulnerable regions, so that their projects take into account local peace and conflict dynamics.
Training and learning Our unique training courses are based on lessons learned from nearly 30 years of peacebuilding. We provide tailor-made courses for organisations and institutions We help national and international partners, donors, governments and institutions to better understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities that arise in countries affected by conflict. We explore the critical issues which impact on peace and how these can be integrated into their policies and actions. We train people involved in planning and delivering peacebuilding worldwide We train Alert s staff, partner organisations and other individuals, organisations and networks involved in peacebuilding, to improve their peacebuilding skills and the effectiveness of their work. We use what we have learned to continuously shape and improve our work By focusing on learning, we strengthen our expertise on particular countries, themes and issues, and increase the impact of our work. Contact us at training@international-alert.org
Research and consultancy Our expert knowledge, experience and ideas enable us to shape the future of peacebuilding. We provide research on peacebuilding We design tailored research, analysis and strategic assessments to improve organisations understanding of complex conflict situations and to increase the coherence and effectiveness of peace interventions. We provide consultancy on peacebuilding activities and issues International Alert/Aubrey Wade We produce bespoke guidance, frameworks and technical advice for partners, donors, governments and institutions to implement policies and interventions which promote peace. Contact us at research@international-alert.org
Support peace Building lasting peace can take a lifetime. But each year, we save and transform the lives of thousands of people. We need your support so we can continue to help communities find a peaceful future. Every year that we make progress towards peace is a year when children can go to school, businesses can flourish and people can go about their lives without the threat of violence. Just 10* a month could help us: train a local trauma counsellor to help victims rebuild their lives after violence supply microfinance to two business start-ups that bring together people from across conflict divides provide training for a journalist on how to report impartially and fairly on divisive issues train a group of indigenous leaders in mediation and conflict resolution Please help us build peace today by visiting www.international-alert.org/donate Thank you. *or the equivalent in your local currency
Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free. Dalai Lama International Alert 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without full attribution. Cover image: Carol Allen Storey for International Alert. Design by D. R. ink, printed by PWPFS
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