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Send by emailMidlevel Actors: Additional Resources
These references supplement the Knowledge Base Essay, Midlevel Actors.
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Additional Explanations of the Underlying Concepts: Online (Web) Sources Peck, Connie. "A More Strategic Partnership for Preventing and Resolving Conflict." Searching for Peace in Africa , 1900 Available at: Primary Link [Backup Link] With the end of the cold war, the United Nations and regional organizations were called upon to assume greater responsibility for conflict resolution and prevention than ever before. But due to the changing nature of conflict which was now mostly within states, a significant problem was posed for inter-governmental organizations which were designed to manage disputes between states and whose charters specifically prohibited them from 'interfering in the internal affairs' of their members. This new situation meant that the UN and regional organizations had to reconsider how to meet this new challenge. It also led to ongoing debate about which kind of organization is best-placed to carry out conflict prevention and resolution - the UN, regional or sub-regional organizations or NGOs. Yuta, Harago. "An Approach to Eliminate NGOs through Capacity Building of the Local Population." , 1900 Available at: http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/psaj/05Print/e-newsletter/1999/harago.html [Backup Link] In this monograph the author advocates an approach to eliminate non-governmental organizations, and instead, to facilitate capacity building of the local population. The paper is based on the author's own empirical observations through working experiences in various NGO communities, specifically in Brazil. Fitzduff, Mari. "Civil Society and Peacebuilding, The New Fifth Estate?." , 1900 Available at: http://www.un-ngls.org/cso/FifthEstate.pdf [Backup Link] This paper examines the development of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), the role they currently play in conflict prevention and peacebuilding processes in areas experiencing conflict, and role they can play in the future. Ropers, Norbert. "Eight Critical Statements on the Contribution of NGOs to Conflict Prevention and Transformation." Conflict Prevention Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 2 , 1998 Available at: Primary Link [Backup Link] The work of NGOs as well as other civil activists in the prevention and transformation of violent conflicts is, in general, highly esteemed. The increasing involvement of NGOs in this area is not, however, entirely welcomed. Critical voices point out that this expansion has its darker sides and that it gave rise to illusions about the manageability of potentially violent conflicts. Glaser, Tanya. "Nongovernmental Organizations and Peacemaking -- Summary." University of Colorado: Conflict Research Consortium, 1900. Available at: Link This page is a summary of the article, Nongovernmental Organizations and Peacemaking, by Pamela Aall. The author argues that NGOs have the potential to play key roles in restoring civil society and building peace. First, however, NGOs must recognize that their interventions do affect the course of conflicts, and "that their work in relief and development affects not only the social and economic well-being of their target groups, but also the larger political situation." Richmond, Oliver P. "Post Westphalian Peace-Building: The Role of NGOs." , 2001 Available at: Primary Link [Backup Link] "This paper discusses the increasing focus on issues pertaining to human security , and the emerging role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the development of multidimensional peace-building activities." Offline (Print) Sources Albin, Cecilia. "Can NGOs Enhance the Effectiveness of International Negotiation?." International Negotiation 4:3, 1999. This article discusses when and how NGOs succeed in making positive contributions to international negotiations, in ways that governments are not able or willing to do as well alone. Among the factors noted as favoring substantial NGO involvement are; appeal to the interests of participating governments, possession of needed expertise, effective lobbying, framing of issues as wider global or human concerns and public mobilization over these, and plentiful funding. Seven types of NGO activities relating to negotiation are identified: problem definition, agenda setting, and goal setting; enforcement of principles and norms; provision of information and expertise; public advocacy and mobilization; lobbying; direct participation in the formulation of international agreements; and monitoring and other assistance with compliance. van Tongeren, Paul J.M. "Coordination and Codes of Conduct: The Challenge of Coordination and Networking." In Peacebuilding: A Field Guide. Edited by Reychler, Luc and Thania Paffenholz, eds. Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, 2001. With so many entities (governments, NGOS, IGOs) involved in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, coordinating those efforts can be a challenge. Van Tongeren discusses that this coordination is not only desirable, but also attainable. The chapter discusses how, particularly in Europe, networks have been established that lay the foundation for an effective system of collaboration. Ropers, Norbert. "Enhancing the Quality of NGO Work in Peacebuilding." In Peacebuilding: A Field Guide. Edited by Reychler, Luc and Thania Paffenholz, eds. Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, January 1, 2001. NGOs have become evermore involved in peacebuilding processes in recent times. However, many criticisms of NGO work have arisen as their presence has become more of a factor. This article addresses those criticisms and makes recommendations for how NGOs can improve their peacebuilding efforts. Lederach, John Paul. "Structure: Lenses for the Big Picture." In Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies. Herndon, VA: USIP Press, December 1997. Pages: 37-61. In chapter four, Lederach discusses the hiercharchical structure of populations affected by conflict and suggests that we view this hierarchy in terms of a pyramid. The middle level of this hierarchy connects the top and bottom levels, which places middle range leaders in a unique position to influence public policy and promote peace building. These midlevel leaders include heads of nongovernmental organizations, educational institutions, and religious organizations Primary Link [Backup Link] Examples Illustrating this Topic: Online (Web) Sources Baharvar, David. "Beyond Mediation: The Integral Role of Non-Governmental Approaches to Resolving Protracted Ethnic Conflicts in Lesser-Developed Countries." Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Vol. 4, No. 1 , 2001 Available at: http://www.trinstitute.org/ojpcr/4-1baharvar.htm [Backup Link] This article explains the short comings of Track One Diplomacy in resolving protracted ethnic conflict, and the advantages of non-governmental approaches. Catholic Contributions to International Peace. United States Institute of Peace. Available at: http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr69.html [Backup Link] This report discusses the importance of religious organizations and their contribution to international peacemaking. Catholic peace consists of human rights, development, solidarity and world order. Offline (Print) Sources Parmentier, Remi. "Greenpeace and the Dumping of Waste at Sea: A Case of Non-State Actors' Intervention in International Affairs." International Negotiation 4:3, 1999. This article uses the effectiveness of Greenpeace's efforts against deep ocean dumping, as a model to discuss the novelty of NGOs recent emergence in international affairs. Audiovisual Materials on this Topic: Online (Web) Sources Durban - NGO Meeting. NPR. August 29, 2001. Available at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1128136 [Backup Link] This audio clip is an example of the role NGOs can play in conflict situations, which in this instance is helping to work against racism. |
