In 2013, Saferworld began a process to support local civil society organisations (CSOs) to promote more conflict-sensitive approaches by international actors. Funded by the EU, this is part of a global programme to support local capacities for peace in 32 countries, in partnership with Conciliation Resources. Saferworld first carried out an assessment of local conflict and security dynamics in Kachin, Shan, Mon and Kayin States. We have since focused on Kayin state, working with local CSOs to analyse how development interventions impact on their vision of peace, and strengthening their capacities to engage in constructive dialogue with international actors in order to promote more conflict-sensitive approaches. Saferworld facilitated dialogue between Karen CSO leaders and a range of international actors, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, UN agencies, the EU, and various development organisations. We are now undertaking a similar process with local CSOs in Kachin State, focusing on natural resources.

Kim Jolliffe helped to initiate this project in 2013 through preparatory research in Shan, Kachin, Karen and Mon parts of Myanmar, and identified and engaged local parter CSOs in Karen and Kachin. He then co-faciliated two workshops in 2014 to help a broad-based group of Karen CSOs to develop core conflict sensitivity messages for international development actors. Kim then worked with the group to prepare a delegation of community representatives, before supporting them to meet more than 20 mainstream development actors including development banks, donor governments and agencies, UN agencies, and INGOs.

See a briefing based on the project and its key findings here.

Original text above from Saferworld website – more info here: