The world is going through a turbulent time, with people across the globe facing violence and insecurity. The nature of this global conflict has changed and is continuously evolving. It shows little respect for international borders or traditional definitions, and it calls for new ways to tackle violence and create peaceful communities.
We know that to build viable peace in this new global order, participation and engagement from many different members of society is needed. But despite this recognition, inclusivity in peacebuilding often remains more aspirational than achievable. Local ownership continues to be translated in one’s own favour, paid lip service or ignored, and has not genuinely become common practice.
In this volume we explore useful new ideas, examples and suggestions on how to build inclusive peace. We highlight approaches that spur local ownership and leadership within peacebuilding in places like Somalia, Timor-Leste, Liberia and Burma/Myanmar. We delve into the issues of participation of women and youth, the roles of religious and traditional leaders, the importance of supporting existing community structures and potential positive contributions of the private sector.
As the UN reforms its peacebuilding institutions and policies and the international community devises strategies for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, the articles in this volume aim to stimulate debate, reflection and strengthen the calls for inclusive local ownership and leadership to be enshrined in all peacebuilding efforts.