The role of civil society institutions in building peace

Section: RESEARCH
Issue
Vol. 27 No. 89 (2024): Volume 27 Issue 89
Published
Aug 4, 2025
Pages
520-559

Abstract

Peacebuilding emerged as a prominent concept on the international stage in the 1990s following the end of the Cold War. The United Nations formally adopted this concept in 1992 through a report presented by then-Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, known as "An Agenda for Peace." In this report, the Secretary-General proposed ways to enhance the UN's capacity to maintain international peace and security. The peacebuilding concept centers on addressing and eliminating the root causes of conflict to prevent a resurgence of violence, serving as a pathway for war-torn countries to achieve peace and stability. Peacebuilding is a long and complex process involving various stakeholders at both international and national levels. Civil society and civil institutions, as essential non-governmental mechanisms, play a particularly important role in this process. Independent from government influence, these institutions work in the public interest across social, cultural, and political domains and operate as non-profit entities, delivering services to the community. They are vital in supporting post-conflict peacebuilding efforts, primarily by helping restore security and stability to conflict-affected areas and mitigating the severe impacts of war.Civil society organizations contribute significantly to peacebuilding through diverse activities in post-conflict societies, helping resolve conflicts and playing an active role in preventing further violence. They also support the integration of displaced populations, attend to their needs, and alleviate their hardships. Key objectives of these institutions include promoting citizenship, peaceful coexistence, and acceptance of others. Furthermore, they strengthen democracy, uphold rights and freedoms, and foster the involvement of youth and women in peacebuilding efforts, ultimately bolstering peace and stability in society.

References

  1. Findly. Tevor, The Use of Force in Un Peace Operations, Stockholm international Peace Research Institute, (Oxford, New York, First Published| 20020)
  2. Ghaus-Pasha. Aisha, Role of Civil Society Organizations in Governance, (Seoul| 2004)
  3. . ) |2005.(
  4. . ( | 2013).
  5. . ( | 2012).
  6. . ( | 2014).
  7. . . ( | 2015).
  8. . ( |2001).
  9. . (2) ( | 2007).
  10. . 1 ) |2015(.
  11. . 1 ( | 2016).
  12. . ( | 2012).
  13. . ( | 2009-2010).
  14. . 1 ( - - | 2018).
  15. . . ( 4 15| 2013).
  16. . ( | 2013).
  17. : 1992 : (A/47/277).
  18. : ( - | 2017).
  19. : (S/2009/304)-(S/63/881) .
  20. (ICISS) 2001.
  21. . ( | 1995).
  22. . ( |2017).
  23. . ( |2011).
  24. . 1 ( |2017).
  25. . : ( 11 |2017).
  26. . - ( | 2011).
  27. . - 2013-2014 ( | 2015).
  28. . ( - | 2012(
  29. . . ( | 2014).
  30. . 1 ( - | 2018).
  31. . 1 ( |2014).
  32. . 2003 ( ( ) - |2019).
  33. . 1 ( |2018).
  34. . ( | 2005).
  35. . . ( 2 6| 2010).
  36. . ( - | 2013).
  37. . . ( | 2008).
  38. ( ) ( | 2017).
  39. . : ( - | 2009).
  40. . 1 ( _ | 2014).
  41. . ( | 2011).
  42. . ( / 203| 2012).
  43. . . - 1 ( | 1996).
  44. . ( | 2018).
  45. . ( / 96| 2011).
  46. .
  47. . - ( 2 6| 2010).
  48. . ( 27 | 2011).

Authors

Khaldoun Albazzaz

The court goes to Nineveh

ORCID
Mohammad N. Dawood

College of Law/ University of Mosul

ORCID

Identifiers

https://doi.org/10.33899/alaw.2020.128910.1111
Download this PDF file
PDF

Statistics