Peace & Security Issues

“The Institute for Inclusive Security has emerged as a global leader in the struggle to protect women in the context of armed conflict and to ensure their full participation in ending wars and rebuilding stable societies in their aftermath. Its worldwide network of women peace activists is an invaluable resource, and provides a unique service by ensuring solidarity and promoting best practices among women facing common threats and opportunities. Inclusive Security’s voice is one that demands attention in the corridors of power around the world.”
- Don Steinberg, Deputy President for Policy at International Crisis Group

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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.

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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.

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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.

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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.

Transitional Justice
(including reconciliation; truth commissions; tribunals; local transitional justice mechanisms)
Transitional justicerefers 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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.

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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.

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.
Read relevant Inclusive Security publications.