Peacebuilding and Civilian Protection: Lessons from Darfur and Conflict Affected Regions in Niger

Humanitarian and development actors tend to treat peacebuilding and civilian protection as separate streams of action – one focused on long-term stability, the other on immediate safety. Yet, in many conflict-affected areas this separation is not only false but backfiring. In this interactive workshop, participants will be challenged to develop recommendations and brainstorm on how to promote community-driven programs and approaches in conflict affected areas, centered around two cases: Darfur and Niger. 

Local actor representatives that have served as insider mediators in Niger or are leading Peace and Reconciliation Committees in Sudan will provide lessons learned to set the scene. This will illustrate how community-based actors and networks facing formal governance vacuums have established legitimacy and community acceptance as they link peacebuilding with protection responses. Across Niger and Darfur, they have facilitated the development of inclusive community structures and early warning mechanisms, while simultaneously engaging armed actors and duty bearers to uphold obligations under IHL/IHLR.

In addition, experts from Non-Violent Peaceforce and DRC will draw from their technical expertise, including from other countries, to further identify cross-regional good practices. 

Participants will engage via the mentimeter and then split into groups to discuss the following challenges, aiming to identify effective mechanisms and practical ways for international support including from international NGOs and donors to facilitate localization. 

1. How can peacebuilding and protection interventions be linked? 
2. How can local community leaders be identified in an inclusive manner within protracted and emergency settings?   
3. How should early warning systems be adapted in protracted vs. emergency settings?