DDR

Commentary DDR in DRC: the limitations of externally led approaches

I recently researched Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) projects carried out by the international community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo, or DRC), looking at activities of the World Bank’s Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Program (MDRP). This programme brought together the Congolese Government, various NGOs and UN agencies between 2002 and 2009. I found that although a large number of ex-combatants were successfully demobilized, reintegration was less successful. Furthermore, I found that the majority of DDR projects suffered from a number of shortcomings common to externally led approaches to peacebuilding. Read more >>>

Jeeva Jothy

Jeeva Jothy was established in 1992 primarily for the rehabilitation of female former Tamil Tiger (LTTE) child soldiers. With the vision to work towards ‘Happy Children’ irrespective of their ethnic identity, Jeeva Jothy has continued taking in former female LTTE soldiers and orphaned children from war into their children’s home in Batticaloa. Jeeva Jothy has taken [...] Read more >>>

Centre d’education et development de Fizi (CEDEF)

Centre d’education et development de Fizi (CEDEF) provides programmes in participatory development, peacebuilding and reconciliation, non-violence and peace education in DR Congo. It was established in 2003 and is based in Fizi territory. CEDEF envisions an empowered community that is in charge of its own development and is able to independently tackle issues of poverty [...] Read more >>>

Grassroots Reconciliation Group

To promote peace and reintegration, the Grassroots Reconciliation Group (GRG), provide opportunities and helps rehabilitate former child soldiers and their home communities in northern Uganda. The ex-combatants join with community members to work on GRG projects such as communal farming, brick-making, and volunteering at counseling centres. What makes GRG unique is that participants design the projects [...] Read more >>>

SUPPORT Nepal

Established in 1996 by a group of minority rights activists, SUPPORT Nepal works to challenge inequalities faced by minority groups, especially Madheshi, Dalits, religious and linguistic minorities, in order to build a sustainable peace. Training, networking, developing effective models for development, research and influencing policy are the organisation’s focus. Programmes Inclusion of minority rights for sustainable peace [...] Read more >>>

Saviya Development Foundation (SDF)

Saviya Development Foundation (SDF) began in Galle in 1990, and have since expanded to other areas of Sri Lanka. SDF started with a vision of providing a better future for unprivileged communities in Sri Lanka. But they quickly realised that in order to really carry out their beliefs in equality and justice, they needed to [...] Read more >>>

Peace and Community Action (PCA)

Peace and Community Action (PCA) works in the areas of conflict transformation, non-violent approaches to conflict, and capacity-building. PCA focuses their programmes on community workers, government officials, youth groups, and people who have been most affected by conflict in Sri Lanka. Thousands of people have been reached through PCA training programmes. The organisation has implemented a [...] Read more >>>

Creative International Forum (CIF)

Established in 2000, Creative International Forum (CIF) is committed to protecting human rights and promoting peace and social justice in Nepal. CIF promotes peace and justice by actively involving all of civil society, carrying out activities such as training other organisations, strengthening and mobilising networks, and advocacy campaigns. In partnership with the National Peace Campaign [...] Read more >>>

Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Nueva Vida (ADENVI)

Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Nueva Vida (ADENVI) was founded in 1995 to work for development and dignity of the victims and families of victims of Guatemala’s armed conflict. The goal of ADENVI is to find the way to a better future for victims of the conflict and to achieve a strong and lasting peace.  The organisation strives [...] Read more >>>

CODHAS

CODHAS (Centre D’Observation des Droits De L’Homme et D’Assistance Sociale; Observation Centre for Human Rights and Social Assistance) is a human rights, development and peacebuilding organisation working in Rutshuru and Masisi in North Kivu, DR Congo. CODHAS base their work on the values of solidarity, confidentiality and transparency. Their motto is ‘human rights for all‘. [...] Read more >>>