International Non-governmental Organisations As Peacebuilders

Originally viewed with immense optimism and hailed as a panacea for overcoming violent conflict, peacebuilding today has emerged as one of the biggest development challenges facing the world. As a concept and strategy, peacebuilding has found positive resonance among INGOs and there is evidence of increasing peace building involvement of these organisations in post-conflict societies from Afghanistan to Angola, Sierra Leone to Iraq. This book explores the potential and viability of INGOs as sustainable peacebuilders, by examining and analysing the involvement of three organisations; International Alert, Conciliation Resources and World Vision in specific peacebuilding activities. On the basis of this analysis a model for effective INGO participation in the field of post-conflict peacebuilding is constructed which, if implemented, has the potential to ensure the meaningful and effective engagement of INGOs in peacebuilding activities.

Dr Geetanjali Chopra is the co-ordinator for the ICI activities in India. Working as a research associate with the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, she is also the co-ordinator for the Track II diplomacy initiatives undertaken by the organisation. She has a doctorate from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Geetanjali has worked extensively in the field of international non-governmental organisations. Her research interests include peacebuilding, non-traditional security issues, human rights and humanitarian law.