Yesterday, the Peacebuilding Commission held informal briefings on the situation in Burundi and Sierra Leone – the two countries that the Commission decided to focus its attention on in its first session.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs from Sierra Leone, Mr. Momodu Koroma, outlined to the assembled delegates the reform initiatives that the Sierra Leonean government has launched since the end of the civil war in an effort to consolidate peace and establish a viable state with stable institutions. Sierra Leone has made respectable progress, as was emphasized by representatives from the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone, the World Bank and the IMF, in terms of developing and putting into practice a Governance Reform Agenda, a Peace Consolidation Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. However, Sierra Leone still faces many challenges, the most urgent of which are widespread youth unemployment, insufficient education resources, lack of human capacity, a weak infrastructure and the bad state of Sierra Leone’s cities. The elections in 2007, the fear of a relapse into violence (50% of countries emerging from war fall back into conflict within five years), and the questionable chances of achieving sustainable development are issues of concern to Sierra Leone and the UN. Therefore, Mr. Koroma expressed his gratefulness for the attention his country now gets from the PBC. He extended an invitation to the members of the Commission to visit Sierra Leone and evaluate the situation on the ground – a suggestion that met great approval and enthusiasm among the participants of the hearing.

A representative from Burundi’s permanent mission to the UN gave the members of the PBC a general overview of the country in terms of geography, population and demographics and the state of the economy. Regarding recent successes in terms of political stabilization and the consolidation of peace, he then discussed the negotiations that resulted in the establishment of the current Burundi government in 2005, and the ongoing peace talks between the government and the rebels in Arusha. A World Bank representative pointed to the country’s weak economy but insisted that with well-planned financial assistance the international community can make considerable improvements. Despite Burundi’s apparent economic and peacebuilding challenges, the mission’s representative could not clearly articulate any suggestions on the role the PBC should have in the country.

Written by: Momoyo Ise, Member of the Board, UNA Japan

The world is entering a new era, and I hope that the reform of the United Nations will be capable of responding to the global challenges that arise from it, such as the growing number of internal violent conflicts. In the UN reform debate, little attention is being paid to the important task of establishing an effective relationship between the UN and civil society. Yet, civil society and NGOs make essential contributions in the areas of humanitarian aid, peace negotiations, community development and various recovery-related activities, including the removal of landmines. Although the constituents of the UN are its member countries, a greater role for civil society and NGOs in peacebuilding missions could considerably enhance the effectiveness of the organization. UNAs could play a central role as intermediaries between the UN and civil society and help find solutions to complex problems of the 21st century.

The General Assembly established the Peacebuilding Commission in order to respond to the need for a coordinated, coherent and integrated approach to post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation resulting in sustainable peace. The purpose of the PBC may be summarized as follows: (a) to bring together all relevant actors to consult on and propose integrated strategies; (b) to focus attention on construction and institution-building in order to lay the foundation for sustainable development; and (c) to help insure financing for early recovery activities. The establishment of the PBC is thus an attempt to prevent incoherent strategies and inconsequent field actions that have in the past resulted in wasting of funds and ineffectiveness in post-conflict areas.

The participation of all relevant member countries as well as the UN and regional and international financial institutions in the PBC has been ensured. With regard to civil society, the GA resolution 60/180, “encourages the Commission to consult with civil society, non-governmental organizations, including women’s organizations, and the private sector engaged in peacebuilding activities, as appropriate.” I believe that the PBC cannot effectively realize its objectives and formulate relevant strategies without closely cooperating with civil society.

Real stakeholders, i.e. community leaders, residents of the post-conflict community, victims of the conflict, and actors providing aid to victims, need to play a major role in the peacebuilding process. In addition, consultations with those who are essential in the recovery and reconstruction process of the affected community, including teachers, legal personnel, merchants, etc. as well as relevant NGOs are crucial. While politically viable and neutral solutions are vital to the whole peacebuilding process, voices of ordinary citizens, particularly women who hold family together, must be heard and incorporated into strategies. Sustained peacebuilding and reconciliation must also include due actions addressing the psychological wounds caused by conflict, such as memories of brutality, hatred, guilt and shame.

“Citizen participation” doubtlessly brings some challenges with it. While the need to establish functional relations between the UN and civil society persists, a number of obstacles, including political hesitation, uneven capacities of NGOs, and difficulties in the selection of civil society representatives in light of the vast number of citizen organizations and groups, make this a difficult undertaking. Nevertheless, I hope the UN will address the issue of civil society participation as part of its reform agenda.

What UNA Japan could do more vigorously is to enhance people’s understanding of conflict situations and the living conditions of victims. A better comprehension of conflict will inspire the Japanese people to assist in community recovery activities. In particular, UNA Japan could educate young people about peacebuilding and its capacities.