Theme Leaders
International actors often play an important role in promoting peace and development and in aiding countries in the transition from war to peace. However, research should continue to develop studies that allow for comparing short-term and long-term effects of the diverse interventions, as well as effects that may be generated in parallel.
Some of the research questions to be addressed in theme 8 include:
- Peacekeeping and its unintended consequences. Research has demonstrated that peacekeeping reduces conflict and violence, but has negative consequences as well, enabling organised crime and sexual exploitation, while humanitarian aid can induce violent competition for resources. Under what circumstances can these negative consequences be avoided? Research needs to pay more attention to comparing short-term and long-term effects of interventions, as well as different kinds of effects that may be generated in parallel.
- How can coexistence be rebuilt after war? Long-lasting peace is thought to require a combination of institutional-level choice and grassroots-level initiatives to improve interactions between individuals. More research is needed to understand the effect of interpersonal contact in peace/conflict, notably regarding the effectiveness of community-driven development programmes.
- Promoting intergroup cooperation in conflict zones: Are there and what are the effective ways?