Understanding the Dynamics of Conflict and Peacebuilding in Pakistan

Understanding the Dynamics of Conflict and Peacebuilding in Pakistan

Publication details

  • Friday | 04 Oct, 2013
  • Sadaf Liaquat, Mome Saleem, Sehrish Jahangir, Fareeha Mehmood, Adnan Talib, Syed Ul Asif, Kashmala Chaudhry
  • Research Reports,Project Publications
  • 55
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Introduction
 
Search for Common Ground Pakistan is a non-profit peacebuilding organization,
working to transform the way communities and societies deal with disagreement
and dispute – away from adversarial approaches and towards cooperative problem
solving. 
 
SFCG's current initiatives in Pakistan include:
 
  • Strengthening the leadership and legislative skills of women parliamentarians (at the provincial level) and aspiring women counselors (at the district level) across Pakistan to bolster their engagement in decision-making processes for effective governance; 
  • Strengthening the capacity of Pakistani media, youth and local leaders across Pakistan in promoting tolerance, inclusiveness and understanding among the country's diverse regional, ethnic and socioeconomic groups;
  • Enhancing youth engagement with policymakers in KPK and FATA on local issues through the development of collaborative and problem-solving strategies.
This report contains the abridged baseline studies for two projects currently being implemented by SFCG in partnership with other Pakistani organizations. The study titled 'Perception among Youth and Community Leaders about Conflict' was conducted for SFCG's project 'Promotion of Dialogue for Peacebuilding through Media and Youth Mobilization in Pakistan', which is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Since 2011, SFCG has been implementing this project in partnership with Intermedia Pakistan, Uks Resource Center, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Pakistan Press Foundation and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. The project covers 25 districts across Pakistan's four provinces (including the Northern Areas and Azad Jammu & Kashmir) with the aim to strengthen Pakistan's fragile context by shifting attitudes and behaviors of the Pakistani population away from adversarial, intolerant approaches towards greater tolerance, inclusiveness and understanding among the country's various regional, ethnic and socio-ethnic groups. The project engages youth and local leaders, as well as television, radio and
print journalists, and is designed to increase their capacity to play an active role in creating peace and promoting tolerance and co-existence. It additionally provides the beneficiaries with platforms to apply their new skills in conflict analysis, mediation, dialogue and leadership. More information about the project can be found at: http://www.pakistanpeaceinitiative.net.pk/.
 
The study titled 'Perception of Youth and Policymakers about Peacebuilding Methods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and FATA', was conducted for SFCG's project 'Promoting Peace in KPK and FATA – Connecting Youth Non-State Actors (NSAs) and Policymakers through Mediation and Dialogue', which is supported by the European Union. Since 2012, SFCG has been implementing this project in partnership with PAIMAN Alumni Trust. The project covers 25 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with the aim of contributing towards peace and reconciliation in Pakistan by promoting mediation and dialogue in the target region. The project is building the capacity of youth and policymakers from KPK and FATA in mediation and dialogue, and provides platforms for the youth to interact, network and build sustainable relationships with local policymakers. Additionally, the project activities provide youth opportunities to play a leadership role in their districts, engage collaboratively with elders and local influentials, and play a role in decision making processes. More information about the project can be found at: http://peacepromoters.net.pk/.