Research Studies and Conflict Monitoring

This research-based initiative builds a better understanding of conflict and democracy in Nepal, and uses the results of its studies to influence policy makers and other key players. The initiative's researchers also monitor conflict to develop early warning systems and intervention strategies.

Description

This initiative seeks to develop an understanding of the dynamics of conflict and politics in Nepal by commissioning research studies on specific themes, monitoring conflict on a regular basis, and producing outputs that are of immediate relevance to policy makers, donors, practitioners and scholars.

The studies are conducted on an occasional basis; there have been one or two every year since 2003. The studies can be made available in hard copy upon request, while the conflict monitoring results are available on the National Peace Campaign (NPC) website. The following research studies and concept studies have been published:

• Costs of the War;
• Failed Negotiation: Experiences and Challenges;
• Democracy in Nepal: Prospects and Challenges;
• Constituent Assembly: Process and Experiences; and
• State Restructure (Concept Paper).

How it is Articulated

The initiative is run by a team of researchers who conduct the studies. The interviewees are different for each study. The researchers carry out their analysis of the results based on the objective of the research. All five research studies have been published, and all conflict monitoring results are uploaded onto NPC's website.

Achievements / Learning Points

The outcome of the research studies and the availability of time for conflict monitoring have enabled the policy makers to design a plan of action and to understand the dynamics of conflict in Nepal. The participants are younger politicians as well as senior politicians, to whom the policy makers refer in developing this action plan. The plan pushes for conflict transformation and peacebuilding as well as for building democracy.

Action-oriented research and the timely publication and circulation of conflict monitoring reports have enabled the recipients to develop intervention strategies. The participants design intervention strategies as a tool of early warning and to ensure their voices are heard at the policy making level and to ensure they get involved in the nation-building process. An evaluation is made based on the personal interaction amongst the user groups and the resulting feedback. The reports are distributed to politicians and leaders of social groups. We talk to selected people from these politicians and groups and ask for their comments.

Funding Resources

• Department for International Development;
• Misereor, Germany; and
• European Union.