Themes

Inclusive Security's conflict-specific work focuses on the following themes, and the members of the Waging Network have expertise in one or more of these areas:

Conflict Prevention
(including nonviolent transformation; early warning indicators)
In order to prevent violence, it is necessary to address the hostile mistrust and belligerence before it reaches a point where each side believes that violence is their only recourse.  The goal of prevention is to create a situation in which differences and conflicts can be addressed in a nonviolent and constructive manner.  Conflict prevention consists of direct prevention, measures to address an immediate crisis, and structural prevention, which addresses a root cause of the conflict, such as poverty.

Conflict Resolution
(including negotiations and mediation; confidence building measures; cross community dialogue)
Conflict resolution is the multi-dimensional process of resolving an existing dispute.  Successful conflict resolution often involves dialogue between opposing communities, non-violent demonstrations, empowering oppressed groups, and other peace building efforts.

Negotiation and Mediation
Peace negotiations involve the parties agreeing upon courses of action, bargaining for individual or collective advantage, and reaching a compromise to end the conflict.  Mediation is a process of alternative dispute resolution that attempts to bring two states, sides, or parties together by having an impartial third party facilitate.

Security
(including demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR); peacekeeping; security sector reform)
The security sector refers to organizations and entities that have the authority and capacity to use force or the threat of force to protect the state and civilians, a power that they often abuse during conflict.  The reform of this sector is important for promoting peace and good governance in the short and long term, in order to ensure that corruption is eliminated and the forces act as legitimate protection for all civilians.

Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration are the three key activities that effectively transition a society from war to peace.  DDR involves the removal of arms from pre-determined forces, the disbanding of military formations, and easing combatants back into their communities.

Refugees and IDPs
(including humanitarian response assistance)
Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) were forced to flee their homes as individuals or in groups. Refugees crossed international borders and are entitled to protection and assistance from the states into which they move and from the international community through the United Nations.  IDPs  are displaced within their home country and are not afforded specific protection by an international standard or agency.  Women are important actors in situations of displacement. They often comprise the vast majority of adult residents of refugee and IDP camps frequently heading families in the absence of fathers and husbands.  They can play a pivotal role as leaders and advocates for security, education, and health.  Women IDPs and refugees also face particular challenges including the threat of sexual exploitation and gender-based violence.

Transitional Justice
(including reconciliation; truth commissions; tribunals; local transitional justice mechanisms)
Transitional justice refers to the short-term and often temporary judicial and non-judicial mechanisms and processes that address the legacy of human rights abuses and violence during a society's transition away from conflict or authoritarian rule.

Rule of Law
(including constitutional drafting; legislation; human rights; women's rights; access to judicial systems)
Rule of law implies that written laws adopted through an established procedure restrict government authority.  Parties involved in violent conflict, of course, do not heed any such laws, and therefore countries emerging from war often have to completely reconstruct their constitutions, legal codes, and judicial processes. 

Democracy, Governance, and Political Participation
(including civil society development; elections; media; anti-corruption; formal governance)
In a democracy, all citizens have the option of participating in the governance of their society.  The term governance refers to the process of decision-making and the ways in which decisions are implemented.  Through political participation and advocacy, citizens participate in the governance of their society. In a democracy, the participation of citizens and a plurality of views are encouraged.  Women are under-represented in elected office and formal governing structures throughout the world for a number of reasons, including discriminatory social attitudes, lack of education and preparation, and structural barriers to their democratic participation.

Post-Conflict Reconstruction
(including health issues; education issues; infrastructure development; macro-economic and micro-economic reform)
Post-conflict reconstruction is the process of rebuilding administrative and governance capacities, repairing physical infrastructure, establishing functioning financial infrastructures and economic restructuring, establishing a credible and functioning judicial system, ensuring social well-being, and restoring internal security.  Participants often include international organizations, financial institutions, members of civil society, and government leaders, both domestic and international.