Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP)

(The following article has been taken from the EPLO Conflict Prevention Newsletter, Vol. 2, Issue 10, November 2007.
The newsletter can be downloaded in full from over here:
http://www.eplo.org/index.php?id=223 )
'We are very pleased to announce the launch of the Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP). This consortium, led by International Alert and funded by the European Commission, brings together the expertise of 10 civil society organisations (and their networks) with offices across the EU and in conflictaffected countries.

(The following article has been taken from the EPLO Conflict Prevention Newsletter, Vol. 2, Issue 10, November 2007.
The newsletter can be downloaded in full from over here:
http://www.eplo.org/index.php?id=223 )
'We are very pleased to announce the launch of the Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP). This consortium, led by International Alert and funded by the European Commission, brings together the expertise of 10 civil society organisations (and their networks) with offices across the EU and in conflictaffected countries.
The IfP aims at developing and harnessing international knowledge and expertise in the field of conflict prevention and peacebuilding to ensure that all stakeholders, including EU institutions, can access strong independent analysis in order to facilitate better informed and more evidencebased policy decisions.
Dealing with violent conflicts is a complex challenge. The EU has significant potential to contribute to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. However, this potential has not been fully realised and much remains to be done in understanding and developing the policies, practice and skills required to end the appalling suffering endured by those affected by violence and war. In recognition of this, IfP promotes a strategic vision of peacebuilding and conflict prevention focussing on the root causes and factors which fuel conflict. This emphasises that peace cannot be made on behalf of people but international bodies can do much to build the resilience within societies necessary to transform the attitudes, behaviours and structures which drive violence. This demands a tailored, holistic, inclusive and participatory approach.
Accordingly, IfP\'s activities include:
- Collaborative, evidence-based research linking policy and practice.
- Policy dialogue at all levels (local, national, regional and international) and between representatives of all relevant stakeholders;
- Capacity-building and shared learning for and amongst local and international civil society organisations, think-tanks and academic institutions, relevant governments and bi-lateral/multilateral institutions.
- Training and awareness raising to promote and enhance skills and knowledge amongst all target beneficiaries.
The contact point for the Initiative for Peacebuilding is Lucia Montanaro-Jankovski, Senior Advisor on EU Affairs at International Alert.
The Initiative for Peacebuilding focuses on multiple themes, across multiple regions and organised under the framework of six interconnecting clusters. Thematically, the project includes: security; gender; democratisation and transitional justice; mediation and dialogue; regional cooperation on environment, economy and natural resource management; and capacity building and training.
Geographically, the action covers - in addition to EU Member States ? the Balkans and Ukraine, South Caucasus, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Initiative for Peacebuilding Partners are:
Adelphi Research, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE), Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), International Alert (IA), International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael (Clingendael Institute), Partners for Democratic Change International (PDCI), Saferworld (SW).'