Conferences - Monday, February 14, 2011
Workshop for Incoming Members of the UN Peacebuilding Commission
On February 14, 2011, IPI and the Quaker United Nations Office hosted a workshop for the incoming members of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in collaboration with the UN Peacebuilding Support Office.
The workshop--held under the Chatham House Rule and attended by representatives of the PBC’s Organizational Committee and Country-Specific Configurations, as well as UN Secretariat and NGO representatives--offered an informal setting for reflection and critical thinking about how the PBC can continue to strengthen its impact on the ground. It included three sessions that focused on specific topics arising from the 2010 review of the PBC: building national capacity; resource mobilization; and instruments for engagement.
Several themes were highlighted in the discussion. In Session I, “Building National Capacity,” participants noted that capacity-building involves strengthening not only the local government but civil society as well. The UN peace operations and country teams have a critical role in assisting national actors in building such capacity in countries on the PBC’s agenda.
During the second session, “Resource Mobilization,” the participants underscored the PBC’s key role in mobilizing resources for countries on its agenda, noting that funding is especially needed for the security and rule of law sectors, reconciliation efforts, and the reintegration of ex-combatants and the displaced into society.
Session 3, “Instruments of Engagement,” highlighted the importance of ensuring that international donors align their support behind nationally-driven peacebuilding strategies in a coherent way.
A meeting note is forthcoming.
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An April 27th roundtable discussion at IPI titled “Preventing Conflicts in Africa: The Role of Early Warning and Response Systems” examined the progress, prospects and challenges of regional and international early warning and response mechanisms to monitor, anticipate, and mitigate potential conflict situations in Africa.