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	Governance and Rights in rebuilding after conflict by International Rescue Committee (IRC)   Governance and Rights programmes are implemented in emergencies, protracted relief settings and situations of return and reconstruction.   The Governance and Rights Unit of the International Rescue Committee is focused on addressing the less tangible aspects of conflict; the loss of trust and dignity, the restriction on freedom of choice and action, the reduced sense of belonging to one’s own community, the devastating impact of discrimination and a prevailing sense of insecurity. The programmes we support focus on the people who are affected by conflict, by working to empower people to solve their own problems.   The process of how things are done in a given context: by ensuring that the needs of all groups, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, are taken into account within local decision making processes and that people understand and trust the processes by which decisions are made.   Understanding the dynamics of power: by working to ensure that processes of power at community and government levels recognise that all members of society have equal rights, that must be respected and realised.   IRC’s protection work seeks to safeguard the human rights and well-being of people affected by conflict—whether they are refugees fleeing across international borders, internally displaced within their own country, or returning home after conflict.   Activities are designed to look at whether people’s rights are being met, and if not, taking action to ensure they are.   Protection programmes typically focus on safeguarding the legal and physical security of refugees and includes activities such as ensuring access to registration, clarification of legal status, improving security in camp settings, raising awareness of the rights and responsibilities of refugees and IDPs, building the capacity of authorities to fulfil their obligations and ensuring that returns are voluntary and conducted under safe conditions and with dignity.   Now that the peace process between the LRA and the government of Uganda is underway, displaced communities in Northern Uganda are beginning to think about returning home to areas that were once rife with violence.   The IRC is working to smooth this transition by providing affected-communities with the information they need to make an informed decision on relocating.   This includes information on the security situation and the living conditions they can expect to find, as well as on the assistance and services such as schools and hospitals that will be available when they finally get back home.   Rule of Law   The Governance & Rights Unit also works to improve access to justice and rule of law in communities where IRC works. The main emphasis of this work is on supporting national institutions and laws that are consistent with international standards.   We are also working to improve complementary indigenous processes. These contribute to improved safety, security and access to justice for individuals in conflict-affected communities.   Civil Society Development   A functioning civil society is vital for a healthy society, where rights are not abused, the State is accountable to its citizens for its actions, basic services are provided and the private sector is regulated.   Through Civil Society Development (CSD) programmes, IRC seeks to strengthen the capacities and contributions of non-state and not-for-profit institutions responding to communities’ needs and to reinforce the role of the civil society sector in rebuilding a functioning society.   Often in environments where IRC works, civil society organizations (CSOs) serve their constituencies through provision of basic services and access to information and services. IRC programmes work to ensure that the actions of these CSOs and the impact of their initiatives on conflict-affected communities are maximized through organizational and technical capacity-building.   Supporting local organisations   Supporting the growth and capacity of local organisations is key to the long term development of a region.   In Chechnya and North Ossetia, for example, we provide support and training to 12 local organisations which are responsible for a range of activities in areas such as health, water and youth development.   In order to help these organizations better serve their constituencies, individual strengthening plans are created for each organisation, addressing topics such as financial management, programme design, public relations and sound organisational management.   Community Driven Reconstruction   Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR) is rooted in the notion that people affected by conflict should be actors in the development process rather than passive receivers of aid. It is a methodology that allows communities to be drivers and owners of their reconstruction and recovery.   IRC works with a community to establish and build the capacity of a representative community development committee (CDC).   This CDC works with the local community to identify and prioritize their needs for reconstruction and recovery. If possible the CDC is provided with block grants and are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the prioritized projects.   This process ensures that the priority needs of the community are met; communities are provided with the skills to affect change and address local issues; and the interaction that takes place within the community on decision making and project execution helps rebuild social relationships damaged by war.   Building relationships in Afghanistan   The IRC has worked with 950 villages across the fiercely conservative tribal belt stretching south-east from Kabul.   These efforts, as well as focusing on the reconstruction of physical infrastructure, aim to rebuild political legitimacy and relationships between ethnic groups. Bitter rivals have, for the first time, learned to work together for their communities.   A wartime commander commented, “Where commanders used to fight and command people, now they advise and help people…instead of causing problems, now they communicate, consult, and solve problems”. Visit the related web page
	No Peace Without Women by CARE Report   Oct 22, 2010   Ten years after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) formally recognized that women must be involved in peacebuilding efforts, women are still largely absent from peace negotiations, CARE says in a new report on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of UNSC Resolution 1325.   UNSC Resolution 1325, passed Oct. 31, 2000, called for increased participation of women in peacebuilding efforts, through increased representation of women at all decision-making levels for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict; prevention of gender-based violence; protection of women and girls against violence; and the promotion of gender perspectives in peace missions.   CARE"s report highlights experiences in Afghanistan, Uganda and Nepal, where in some instances, women have managed to change the agenda and focus attention on root causes and legacies of the violence in their country. For example, in Nepal, some of the poorest and most marginalized women have participated in the negotiation of a new constitution, bringing issues like Dalit rights and gender-based violence into the process. But overall, the original idea behind UNSC Resolution 1325 – involving women in peacebuilding – has in practice gained little traction.   "The establishment of peace is not just about formal negotiations, but also ensuring that there is a tangible impact of peace, such as access to education, health and welfare. There can"t be lasting peace in Nepal without the significant involvement of women," said Indu Pant Ghimire, CARE Nepal gender advisor.   Intimidation and violence against women is one of the major barriers; without protection, participation is unsustainable and may do more harm than good. And without access to education, health care and livelihoods – in short, full participation in society – women are not well-placed to participate on a large scale in peacebuilding efforts.   "The passing of UNSC Resolution 1325 was seen as a milestone for women"s rights, when in fact, it is a statement of the obvious: women – as well as men – must be involved in peacebuilding efforts," said Robert Glasser, secretary general of CARE International. "But in the past 25 years, only one in 40 peace accord signatories have been women. Across the world in conflict countries women are working in their communities for peace, but they are excluded from peace negotiations. It"s not that they don"t want a seat at the table, it"s that they"re not given one.   "CARE, which works in some of the deadliest conflict zones in the world, knows that women are often the most affected by war, through rape or sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and living with the fall-out from the destruction of society. The involvement of women is crucial when it comes to re-establishing normal life, healing social wounds, and building new, more just institutions."   The U.N. Security Council will hold an open debate on October 26 to discuss UNSC Resolution 1325, and CARE expects that member states will take specific steps to monitor and foster the implementation of the resolution.   Key recommendations from the CARE report to the international community:   Step up efforts to protect women from violence: Any strategy to promote women"s participation in peacebuilding will fail if it does not address their protection from violence. In particular, a thorough analysis of gaps in frontline services and response capacity for protection should urgently be conducted – as mandated by SCR 1888 – and submitted to the U.N. Security Council within three months.   Fund long-term, multi-sectoral strategies that enable women to participate in the peacebuilding process: Access to basic education, health services and economic livelihoods are proven, necessary foundations for meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding and in society in general.   Connect grassroots peacebuilding to national and international peacebuilding efforts: Extensive peacebuilding work is underway by local, grassroots women"s groups around the world but, on the whole, their expertise is not included or considered in debates at national and international levels.   (CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. They place a special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE"s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, and to expand economic opportunity). Visit the related web page
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