Posts by Lord Jack McConnell

From the field Observing the polls in DR Congo

November 28, 2011 was historic in the DR Congo; the first ever democratic national election organized by the Congolese themselves. Indeed it was only the second time since independence in 1960 that a multi-party electoral vote would be set to determine the presidential seat. However, this relatively undeveloped voting system left the electoral process wide open to systemic and local corruption that could erode its very legitimacy. Two years ago I visited communities affected by violence in the eastern DR Congo. So when Christian Aid offered me the opportunity to help monitor and evaluate the election, I felt compelled to return in the hope that a fair election would improve the livelihoods of the Congolese people. Read more >>>

Commentary Sudan: Listen to locals

The escalating crisis in South Kordofan reveals real limits to how much influence the international community can exert from outside Sudan. If we wish to prevent further deaths and assist over 70,000 refugees to return home safely, the international community urgently needs another way forward. Read more >>>

Interview Lord McConnell, UK Government’s peacebuilding envoy (2008-10)

Dr Jack McConnell MSP served for two years as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Peacebuilding and is now a member of the House of Lords. In this exclusive interview with Insight on Conflict (also available as a podcast) he explains why conflict reconstruction is the most important challenge of our time, where there have been peacebuilding successes, and the changes necessary to build a more peaceful world. Read more >>>