Prevention in Practice: Case Studies in Prevention through a Sustaining Peace Lens

The sustaining peace framework—adopted by the General Assembly and Security Council in April 2016 (A/70/RES/262 and S/RES/2282 (2016) respectively) emphasizes that sustaining peace “should be broadly understood as a goal and a process to build a common vision of society, ensuring that the needs of all segments of the population are taken into account which encompasses activities aimed at preventing the outbreak of conflict, escalation, continuation, and recurrence of conflict.”

Viewing prevention through the lens of sustaining peace encourages a shift from time-bound, externally driven activities that use conflict rather than peace as the starting point in search for solutions. Prevention for sustaining peace keeps a long-term perspective and is motivated by the humility to learn from what still works well in societies and to respect that people and communities, even under stress, have existing capacities for resilience, not just needs. This conceptual shift entails identifying and strengthening those capacities while addressing the pressing threats to peace and their proximate, underlying drivers. The focus is no longer solely on restoring stability after violence but also on investing in structures, attitudes, and institutions associated with peaceful societies. Seen through this lens, peace is not needed only in conflict-affected societies.

In light of the above background, this event will bring the debates around sustaining peace and prevention to Geneva and highlight the main discussions, challenges areas of thought and the key cases which highlight the various aspects of prevention for sustaining peace.

Moderator:
Mr. Alimou Diallo, WANEP's Liaison Coordinator at the ECOWAS Commission

Speakers:
Ms. Lesley Connolly, Policy Analyst, the International Peace Institute (IPI)
“The need for integrated and holistic approaches the development: The case of the Gambia"

Ms. Amanda Lucey, Senior Research, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
“Comparative Reflections on prevention and sustaining peace in Liberia and South Sudan"

Burundian peacebuilder
“The Role of Young People in Sustaining Peace and Alternatives to Violence in Burundi"

*This event is part of Geneva Peace Week. Please note that you must also register here for Geneva Peace Week, in order to attend this event: https://reg.unog.ch/event/21607/

Registrations are closed

Case Studies in Prevention through a Sustaining Peace Lens