‘Preventing Crises, Resolving Conflicts, Building Peace’ are key challenges for Germany’s and Europe’s evolving international role. Berlin is investing in the field, both financially and conceptually. Between 2016 and June 2021, we discussed how to target these investments towards better crisis prevention, conflict management and peacebuilding on this blog. Many contributions are in German, but occasionally international experts shared their views in this English-language section. Editorial responsibility for this blog was with the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin until June 2021. The German Federal Foreign Office plans to continue the PeaceLab platform and will inform you in due course.
Artikel Crisis Early Warning: Berlin’s Path From Foresight to Prevention Combining crisis early warning and prevention could help Germany become a more strategic international actor. Regardless of whether Berlin reforms its national security architecture, the government should link forward-looking risk and resilience analyses with structures for meaningful political decision-making to fulfil its commitment towards preventive engagement. Sarah Bressan • 29 June 2021
Artikel Russia’s Play in African Security Russia is increasingly pursuing its economic and political interests on the African continent using both official and unofficial means. This threatens to destabilize the countries in question. International actors should recognize and effectively counter Russia’s policies by supporting strong institutions, as well as small and medium businesses and independent media. Elor Nkereuwem • 09 June 2021
Veranstaltungsbericht #LearningforPeace: The Future of Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding After the German government published its implementation report on progress in the area of “Preventing Crises, Resolving Conflicts, Building Peace,” PeaceLab hosted three events on lessons learned and future priorities. Participants from the policy, civil society, and research communities discussed European crisis engagement, the climate-conflict nexus, and early action. PeaceLab editorial team • 22 June 2021
Artikel EU-Africa Relations: Refocusing the Peace and Security Cooperation The next EU-Africa leaders’ summit could be a turning point for EU-Africa relations – if the EU makes serious efforts for a more equal partnership. Beyond mere promises, Brussels should sustain eye-level dialogue and support building a partnership management infrastructure within the AU. Moreover, the EU should enhance its engagement in conflict prevention and mediation. Meressa Kahsu Dessu, Dawit Yohannes • 15 June 2021
Artikel Linking National and Human Security: Germany Finds Its Voice in SSR Following its growing engagement in reforming security sectors in partner countries, Germany is increasingly shaping international dialogue on SSR. Sharing its own experiences on civil protection and security sector administration with national partners can be a way for Germany to pursue its stabilization interests while promoting a value-based human security approach to SSR. Viola Csordas • 10 June 2021
Artikel Too Little Coordination, Too Much Charity: EU Support for China’s Peacebuilding China’s recent expansion of peacebuilding activities, for example in South Sudan, addresses governmental rather than civil society actors. To ensure that all parts of society, including refugees, are reached, the EU should cooperate with China on peacebuilding measures and promote a more coherent approach of the country’s fragmented landscape with multiple actors. Miwa Hirono • 03 June 2021
Artikel Ready to Lead? Three Early Signs Germany’s Next Government Is Serious Germany is one of the largest contributors to international crisis management, yet its actions are often slow and overcautious. How seriously will the next government commit to a leadership role? The administration, politicians, and civil society would have to learn some hard lessons. Three signs will provide early indication of the intent and ability to deliver. Ekkehard Brose • 02 June 2021
Artikel Preventing Mass Atrocities: Germany Finally Needs a Strategy Germany falls short of its commitment to systematically prioritize the prevention of mass atrocities. There is no strategy in sight and it lacks expertise and much needed personnel. The German government should issue an interministerial assessment report as the basis for a coordinated strategy and build up the resources required for its implementation. Robin Hering, Gregor Hofmann, Jens Stappenbeck • 26 May 2021
Artikel The Path to a German National Security Council Greater coherence and strategic capability are crucial for the success of future German foreign and security policy. This year’s coalition negotiations provide a unique opportunity to readjust Germany’s national security architecture. But to succeed, all relevant parties will need to be clear on what they want to change – and how to change it. Sarah Brockmeier • 20 May 2021
Artikel Inside Sudan’s Transitions: More Targeted Engagement Needed Sudan is undergoing several transitions, from the political level to shifting UN missions, while economic challenges remain. The German government should re-evaluate its engagement to support a peaceful process and prioritise its support for economic growth. Following the revolution’s example, successful approaches must involve marginalised populations including women. Kholood Khair • 19 May 2021
Artikel States and Non-State Armed Groups: Time to Engage States are reluctant to engage non-state armed groups for fear of legitimizing them, and instead often label them as ‘terrorists.’ This is counterproductive as engaging these groups is crucial for the protection of civilians. To incentivize their compliance with international norms, Germany should use peace negotiations as windows of opportunity for engagement without recognition. Annyssa Bellal • 18 May 2021
Artikel Putting Protection First: Countering Forced Recruitment at the Colombian-Venezuelan Border A complex web of intersecting vulnerabilities in the Colombian-Venezuelan border region leaves children at risk of forced recruitment and exploitation by non-state armed groups. Germany should support community groups that engage with young girls, ensure the protection of teachers and exercise diplomatic pressure on Colombia to fully implement its existing peace agreement. Katherine Carrillo, Juliana Poveda • 05 May 2021
Artikel Exiting Armed Conflicts: Prioritising Education in Acute Crises In schools, children ideally acquire the necessary skills to build their future. To stabilise societies in the long term, children’s education must continue throughout ongoing armed conflicts. Germany should thus prioritise education in its immediate crisis response, enhance inter-ministerial cooperation and allocate at least 5 percent of its humanitarian budget to education. Lea Meyer • 03 May 2021
Artikel Young People in the DRC Can Be Powerful Peacemakers The United Nations’ child protection and participation projects in the DRC have contributed to enabling children’s peacebuilding capacities. To achieve lasting peace, these efforts must be scaled up and carried on by local and national authorities. International actors should advocate for the DRC government to prioritize the empowerment of children and young people. Bintou Keita • 29 April 2021
Artikel Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Youth Is the Key to Peace In the ongoing violent conflict in Cameroon, youth run crucial programs to build peace. In doing so, they face violence from separatist militia and government soldiers who misunderstand their role. Germany should increase its funding for youth-led initiatives, promote the inclusion of youth as key partners for peace and work to protect young Cameroonian peacebuilders. Achaleke Christian Leke • 26 April 2021
Artikel Unpacking the EU’s New Sahel Strategy The European Union has just released its new Sahel strategy. The strategy’s focus on governance as the core problem in the region is a success. Going forward, the EU needs to fill its governance talk with meaning, especially with regard to the contribution of civil society, fighting impunity, and a more nuanced understanding of the role that security forces play. Delina Goxho • 22 April 2021
Artikel A Threat to Regional Stability: Water and Conflict in Central Asia Water availability represents a major challenge for the five Central Asian countries and is increasingly exacerbated by climate change. This has led to violence in the region, bearing the risk of further conflict. Germany should support stronger regional cooperation for transboundary water management to foster security in Central Asia. Janna Rheinbay, Sebastian Mayer, Stefanie Wesch, Kira Vinke • 20 April 2021
Artikel The Promises and Perils of Pro-Government Militias in Armed Conflicts Pro-government militias are frequently involved in armed conflict. While they offer certain advantages such as localized knowledge, they often become agents of violence and spoil peace processes. The German government should be aware of these risks in its crisis engagement and support efforts that aim at ensuring accountability and creating targeted disarmament programs. Sabine Carey • 15 April 2021
Artikel Children As Multipliers of Peace: Exemplars of Psychosocial Support in Uganda In Uganda, locally run psychosocial programs for children affected by armed conflicts could mitigate the lasting effects of their experiences, contributing to sustainable peace and enabling children to become multipliers of peace. Germany should collaborate with the Ugandan government and local partners to support and scale-up child-focused peacebuilding initiatives. Dinnah Nabwire, Patrick Onyango-Mangen • 14 April 2021
Artikel Beyond “Women and Children” – Children's Agency in Armed Conflict Children play vital roles in armed conflicts and determine the chances for sustained peace. Germany should treat children not as passive victims but as full-fledged agents of peace and conflict. To do so, the federal government should fund research on which child-focused peacebuilding interventions work best and support children’s inclusion in all stages of peace processes. Sofie Lilli Stoffel • 13 April 2021
Artikel Yemen’s Water Crisis: A New Urgency to an Old Problem In Yemen’s complex humanitarian crisis, water scarcity, conflict, and climate change impacts are interlinked. The use of water as a weapon accelerates the emergency. Germany and other EU member states should support technical solutions to reduce the agricultural sector’s water dependency. Politically, they should strengthen communities’ self-management of water governance. Hadil Al-Mowafak • 06 April 2021
