Peacebuilding and Natural Resources
Natural Resource Management in Post-Conflict Transitional Settings
With David Jensen and Matti Lehtonen, United Nations Development Group, 2013.
This guidance note aims to help UNCTs and UN Missions understand the negative and positive roles that natural resources can play in peace consolidation. It provides practical guidance to assist in thinking through how natural resource management principles and practices can feed into transitional analysis and planning frameworks including: Post Conflict Needs Assessment (PCNA), Integrated Mission Planning Process (IMPP), Peacebuilding Frameworks and Tools, the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). While not relevant in every setting, the guidance offers diagnostic tools to assist those on the ground in deciding where and when such issues need to be addressed, how this can be done, what types of roles the UN can take on, and how the UN can support other actors. The PDF is available here: Natural Resource Management
With David Jensen and Matti Lehtonen, United Nations Development Group, 2013.
This guidance note aims to help UNCTs and UN Missions understand the negative and positive roles that natural resources can play in peace consolidation. It provides practical guidance to assist in thinking through how natural resource management principles and practices can feed into transitional analysis and planning frameworks including: Post Conflict Needs Assessment (PCNA), Integrated Mission Planning Process (IMPP), Peacebuilding Frameworks and Tools, the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). While not relevant in every setting, the guidance offers diagnostic tools to assist those on the ground in deciding where and when such issues need to be addressed, how this can be done, what types of roles the UN can take on, and how the UN can support other actors. The PDF is available here: Natural Resource Management
Peacebuilding Initiative: Natural Resources
Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR), Harvard University & HPCR International, 2009.
In violent conflicts where natural resources have been involved, successful peacebuilding depends on robust analysis of conflict-natural resource linkages to ensure that resources become a source of peace in the post-war phase. This section examines the varied concepts that vie to explain the nature and role of natural resources in conflict, delving into the sometimes linked or overlapping areas of the environment and conflict, and natural resource management and illuminating the ways in which natural resources can be harnessed and utilized as critical assets for post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding in ways that benefit stakeholders at all levels. The full article is available here.
Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR), Harvard University & HPCR International, 2009.
In violent conflicts where natural resources have been involved, successful peacebuilding depends on robust analysis of conflict-natural resource linkages to ensure that resources become a source of peace in the post-war phase. This section examines the varied concepts that vie to explain the nature and role of natural resources in conflict, delving into the sometimes linked or overlapping areas of the environment and conflict, and natural resource management and illuminating the ways in which natural resources can be harnessed and utilized as critical assets for post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding in ways that benefit stakeholders at all levels. The full article is available here.
Moving Beyond Sanctions: Evolving Integrated Strategies to Address Post-Conflict Natural Resource-Based Challenges in Libera
With W. Tyler Christie, Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, 3:1, 2006.
Liberia is emerging from 14 years of war where it served as the epicentre in West Africa of conflict fuelled by disputes over natural resources. Almost three years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement there remain resource-rich, poorly managed areas where ex-combatants wield considerable power due to lack of law-and-order capacity and alternative livelihood opportunities. This article examines the efforts of the Liberian government, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and other international partners to evacuate Sapo National Park as a case study for establishing control of natural resources – an important post-conflict challenge that can undermine the building of peace.
With W. Tyler Christie, Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, 3:1, 2006.
Liberia is emerging from 14 years of war where it served as the epicentre in West Africa of conflict fuelled by disputes over natural resources. Almost three years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement there remain resource-rich, poorly managed areas where ex-combatants wield considerable power due to lack of law-and-order capacity and alternative livelihood opportunities. This article examines the efforts of the Liberian government, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and other international partners to evacuate Sapo National Park as a case study for establishing control of natural resources – an important post-conflict challenge that can undermine the building of peace.
Editorials on peacebuilding and natural resources
Environment and natural resource related conflicts: Moving towards transformational approaches
Borel, R., McCandless, E. & Abu-Nimer, M. (2006). JPD, 3(1), 1-5.
Editorial - open access