Foreign democracy aid increases the likelihood of violence in contexts where civil society organizations (CSOs) are weaker—where these groups have faced state repression and/or exclusion, or where they exhibit low trust in the government’s commitment to democratic reforms.
Women play a crucial role in building peace at the grassroots level in Myanmar, even if they are not represented adequately in the formal peace talks.
Eighteen years later, the "gender perspective" required by Resolution 1325 has fallen short of its transformative potential. Peace practitioners must turn their gender lenses inward to examine their own cultures and practices as potentially part of the dual problems of gender inequality and insecurity.
Peace talks between North and South Korea have continued partially due to the massive support from civil society and grassroots activists. Peace research has shown the influence civil society has on both social and political issues-the more people come together in support of peace on the Korean Peninsula, the harder it becomes for world leaders to disagree.
The United States has downplayed the importance of including civil society in the peace talks between North and South Korea. However, civil society has a proven track record in this area: history and research show that by including civil society in negotiations, the strength and longevity of peace agreements are increased.
Violence erupted on Friday after protests took place demanding the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to land in Israel. Peace Science provides examples of how international groups can help prevent more violence.
Syrian civil society has become better organized and more tightly interconnected, providing a valuable resource to UN negotiators and others working towards peace. The Civil Society Support Room (CSSR) is helping to bring civil society activists together so that their local knowledge and expertise can be better incorporated into the peace talks.
Civilians played an important role in maintaining peace through Liberia's first democratic transition of power.
Religious civil society leaders with access to top political leadership and grassroots constituents, contributed to the Korean peace process in the 1990s.