Suchergebnisse

In diesem Open-Access-Buch werden Prozesse und Dynamiken der Zusammenarbeit zwischen verschiedenen Akteur*innen in Projekten des zivilen Friedensdienstes in Kenia, Sierra Leone und Liberia betrachtet. Das durch lokale und internationale Akteur*innen gemeinsame Bearbeiten von Konflikten und Herausforderungen der Friedenskonsolidierung hat in der deutschen Friedensarbeit eine lange Tradition und wird in einer globalisierten Welt immer wichtiger. Deswegen geht das Buch der sowohl für die Wissenschaft als auch für die Friedenspraxis relevanten Frage nach, inwiefern im Kontext der Zivilen Konfliktbearbeitung eine gleichberechtige Partnerschaft vorliegen kann. Indem sich die Arbeit auf die Chancen und Herausforderungen der Zusammenarbeit konzentriert, gelingt es, den Blick auf die alltäglichen Aktivitäten zu legen, die eigentlichen Prozesse und Reibungspunkte der Friedensarbeit zu analysieren und einen wertvollen Beitrag zur kritischen Friedensforschung und der Diskussion um Hybridität und Friction zu leisten.

This article investigates local perceptions of international peacebuilding in Sierra Leone and Liberia and explains the need for an inclusive framework addressing peace and justice at the same time. These neighbouring countries in West Africa not only share the burden of an intertwined conflict history but have also been described as prototypes for successful peacebuilding. However, both cases show striking differences with regard to the relative importance given to security and justice during the peace process and within the selected peacebuilding approaches. In Liberia, the peacebuilding framework was clearly sequenced, favouring security over justice. In Sierra Leone, it included a comprehensive TJ component, which was implemented alongside security-centred initiatives. In order to compare these two cases and to elaborate on the challenges of establishing both peace and justice in post-conflict settings with a more people-centred focus, we conducted expert interviews with (inter)national peacebuilding actors and opinion surveys, asking how the civilian populations themselves perceive the peace process and the effectiveness of international peacebuilding. The findings provide insights into local experiences with the inclusive peacebuilding framework implemented in Sierra Leone and the drawbacks of delaying justice and accountability in Liberia.

AbstractHow do active learning environments—by means of simulations—enhance political science students' learning outcomes regarding different levels of knowledge? This paper examines different UN simulations in political science courses to demonstrate their pedagogical value and provide empirical evidence for their effectiveness regarding three levels of knowledge (factual, procedural and soft skills). Despite comprehensive theoretical claims about the positive effects of active learning environments on learning outcomes, substantial empirical evidence is limited. Here, we focus on simulations to systematically test previous claims and demonstrate their pedagogical value. Model United Nations (MUNs) have been a popular teaching device in political science. To gain comprehensive data about the active learning effects of MUNs, we collect data and evaluate three simulations covering the whole range of simulation characteristics: a short in-class simulation of the UN Security Council, a regional MUN with different committees being simulated, and two delegations to the National Model United Nations, for which the students prepare for 1 year. Comparative results prove that simulations need to address certain characteristics in order to produce extensive learning outcomes. Only comprehensive simulations are able to achieve all envisioned learning outcomes regarding factual and procedural knowledge about the UN and soft skills.

An essential prerequisite for successful peacebuilding is the involvement of local actors. This is why the German Civil Peace Service (CPS) focuses on cooperation with local partners. However, the interaction between local and international peace workers is often conflict-ridden. Using empirical examples from Germany, Sierra Leone and Liberia, the author analyzes the challenges faced by peacebuilding organizations when working closely with local actors. To address the major problem of power asymmetries, she recommends thinking outside the box and using the concept of productive friction.

In the so-called "Local Turn on Peacebuilding", researchers have been calling for greater active involvement of local actors in peacebuilding projects. In response to this, non-governmental organizations such as the German Civil Peace Service (CPS), among others, now attach great importance to close cooperation with local partner organizations in their worldwide efforts to prevent conflicts, and have thus contributed to the professionalization of civil peacebuilding. In her new PRIF Report 4/2020, Samantha Ruppel examines the CPS's work in Liberia and Sierra Leone to analyze the successes and obstacles that arise in the attempt to achieve equal cooperation and overcome power differentials between the German organizations of the CPS and their local partners, and how these obstacles are dealt with. Despite a number of positive findings, it is clear that a thorough reflection of the power relationship between all the actors involved remains crucial to the success of peacebuilding projects.

Kenya had awaited the presidential elections held on August 9, 2022 with bated breath. The elections were won by William Ruto, who defeated opponent Raila Odinga by just a few percentage points. Ruto succeeds Uhuru Kenyatta, who leaves office having served his two permitted terms. This Spotlight analyzes the reasons for Ruto's success, and, reflecting on his political career, discusses what can be expected from his presidency. We argue that both his success and his career have been strongly influenced by Kenya's political history and the power structures of political alliances—especially in the context of previous elections.