Special Newsletter on Post-conflict economies

The October 2006 Newsletter for international co-operation professionals on economic and social development by Karsten Weitzenegger (http://www.weitzenegger.de) has a Special Edition on Post-conflict economies. There is a report on the conference Private Sector Development and Peacebuilding, relevant Organisations and Websites, Training Events and Learning Materials, Publications and Tools. Free subscription by sending an e- mailto:subscribe@weitzenegger.de. Web version is available on http://www.weitzenegger.de/new/2006/1006.html

New PeaceBusiness Yahoo Group

New PeaceBusiness Yahoo GroupWe have created a mega-list that distributes various news on private sector development in economies affected by conflict. You can join and read at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/peacebusiness/

There is much traffic, so better select the ‚read online‘ option. If you want to contribute information to this community, please send to peacebusiness@yahoogroups.com. Really relevant newsletters for the topic are welcome!

Local Business, Local Peace: The Peacebuilding Potential of the Domestic Private Sector

This International Alert publication highlights the domestic private sector’s often overlooked peacebuilding potential. Developed and researched with partner organisations and business people from conflict-affected countries around the world, it presents more than 20 case studies where private sector actors have taken proactive steps to address violent conflict in places as varied as Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Guatemala, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Somalia and the South Caucasus. In addition, the publication highlights businesses’ efforts to support formal peace processes; to address issues in the economic sphere; to build bridges between divided communities and groups; to alleviate security concerns; as well as the special role of women entrepreneurs.

http://www.international-alert.org/our_work/themes/LBLP.php

Reading List: Microfinance in Post-Conflict Environments

Microfinance is becoming one of the main sources of credit for small and medium enterprises, which in turn are likely to be among the main drivers of local economic development in post-conflict environments. This Web site gives references and commentaries on 16 case studies in countries ranging from Timor Leste to Cambodia, Liberia, Kosovo, Eritrea, Angola, Mozambique, Nepal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

http://topics.developmentgateway.org/microfinance/rc/BrowseContent.do~source=RCContentUser~folderId=3243

Reading List: Private Sector Development in Conflict-Affected Countries, by The World Bank

Private sector development is critically important for the long-term economic recovery of economies affected by conflict. Domestic and international businesses have important roles to play in this effort. However, the private sector is not in itself a panacea. Companies and entrepreneurs will not take the considerable risks of investing without appropriate economic incentives. Moreover, poorly planned commercial development may widen existing social and political divisions, thus contributing to conflict rather than peace. This reading list reviews the emerging international debate on the best means of encouraging private sector development in high-risk economies and ensuring that it has a positive rather than a negative impact.

http://rru.worldbank.org/PapersLinks/Conflict-Affected-Countries/

GTZ Reading List: Business in conflict

GTZ Reading List: Business in conflict

On this page you will find downloads, information and literature for further research on business in conflict.

http://www.gtz.de/en/themen/wirtschaft-beschaeftigung/privatwirtschaft/5306.htm

Prevention and Peace Building Elements of PSD/SED Programmes

This new GTZ discussion paper by Axel Mierke examines the potential that SED/PSD interventions have in contributing to conflict prevention and peace building. The paper is based on desk research, discussions with practitioners and three case studies. Practical experiences extracted from case studies and other reports illustrate the findings. The Annex provides details on the case studies of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo and Afghanistan.

http://www.businessenvironment.org/dyn/be/docs/108/GTZConflictPreventionandPeaceBuilding.pdf

A framework for private sector promotion in post-conflict environments

This paper develops a framework for private sector promotion in post-conflict environments. In order to develop the framework, the paper investigates the evidence linking economic development and conflict, examines private sector development tools used also in non-conflict circumstances, and finally presents a brief survey on current approaches to emergency aid, reconstruction and reintegration programmes.

A framework for private sector promotion in post-conflict environments

MacDonald, M.H. / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) , 2006

http://www.businessenvironment.org/dyn/be/docs/108/GTZPSDinReintegrationandReconstruction.pdf

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Network to promote greater awareness and informed discussion of important issues relating to business and human rights. Contains many reports on Global Compact partners and their violations of the principles of this scheme and/or criticism of their participation. The website includes reports of corporate misconduct, as well as positive examples of “best practice“ by companies. The website is composed of links to a wide range of materials published by: NGOs; companies & business organisations; United Nations, ILO & other intergovernmental organisations; governments & courts; policy experts & academics; social investment analysts; journalists; etc.

http://www.business-humanrights.org