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Conflict prevention - A cooperation priority

Gewaltpr__ventionGanz_Cusco_20116.jpg Over the past twenty years, resorting to violence in socially and politically fragile situations has become increasingly frequent in many parts of the world. Consequently, the SDC often becomes involved in extremely delicate situations that call for immediate conflict-transformation action.

Key facts

Cooperation programmes implemented in crisis or conflict situations can achieve the following positive effects:

• elimination of regional disparities
• creation of jobs for young people (of both sexes),
• settlement of conflicts over resources,
• socio-cultural integration of minorities,
• legally correct functioning of public services
• promotion of gender equality
• less violence of all kinds against women and men
• economic diversification to prevent dependence on exports of basic commodities

To achieve better-balanced development, SDC programmes support processes of social change that are inextricably linked to shifts in the balance of power, which may sometimes trigger violent crises. However, all programmes try to prevent the illicit use of force, whether in open or latent war.

Making the State stronger and more democratic
 The SDC groups its prevention conflict and transformation programmes round several core issues, such as consolidating the State and encouraging the spread of democracy, managing natural resources, rural development and migratory flows.
Above all, thwarting the illicit use of force is designed to prevent deep-rooted causes of conflict from degenerating into an immediate threat to people's lives and welfare. When this threat exists, action must be taken to halt the spiral of destructive violence.

The SDC focus: Preventing spiralling violence

To respond to these challenges, the SDC has designed a three-pronged concept for forestalling the use of violence:

  • structural prevention of the use of force
  • early identification
  • conflict handling through crisis intervention On the basis of this concept, the Agency has drawn up a conflict-sensitive programme management approach guided by the " do no harm!" principle. In extremely sensitive – and therefore very difficult – contexts, this management approach has proved invaluable in ensuring a cooperation programme does not unwittingly fuel the causes of violent conflict.

Theme contact: Cristina Hoyos

Additional Information and Documents

Documents
  • Peacebuilding
    SDC Guidelines
    Download (PDF, 596 KB) :  [de]   [en]   [fr]   [it]   [es]   [ru]  
  • Dreidimensionales Konzept der Gewaltprävention der DEZA
    Download (PDF, 88 KB) :  [de]  

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