Topics

FriEnt works on key challenges at the interface between peace building and development and thus generates significant impetus for its members’ practical work.

FriEnt’s current priority topics are:

Education and Peacebuilding

Utilising education constructively for the prevention and transformation of violent conflicts is an important issue for development-oriented peace work. However, education can only fulfil its potential in this context if its contributions to peacebuilding are embedded in systematic and conflict-sensitive development cooperation.  

International Peace Building Processes

FriEnt offers its members information and advice on relevant European and multilateral developments. It integrates international processes into existing country-specific and thematic priorities, organises activities relating to topical issues, and promotes networking with international actors.

Prevention and Democratic Reform

Socio-economic development is not a conflict-free process and there will be powerful “losers” along the way. How can their reactions be anticipated at the earliest possible stage, and how can their participation be improved? FriEnt offers advisory services to support the development of practical strategies and their implementation in projects and programmes. It also facilitates critical reflection on current peace building paradigms.

Land Conflicts

Against the backdrop of global change, the various dimensions of land conflicts are playing an increasingly important role. FriEnt explores the linkage between rural development and resource management in the specific conflict context and identifies potential for conflict management and crisis prevention.

Peace Building and Security

FriEnt analyses the relationship between, and formulation of, development policy, development-oriented peace work, and security policy. Among other things, FriEnt promotes dialogue and exchange about opportunities for development cooperation in the context of international peace missions.

Transitional Justice and Development

FriEnt explores issues of justice in societies which have formally ended a violent conflict. The main focus is on the close relationship between development cooperation and transitional justice mechanisms such as prosecution, truth seeking and reparations.