Towards a strategic framework for peacebuilding: overview report of the joint Utstein study of peacebuilding

This report provides an overview of the Utstein agenda for peace building, implemented in 1999 by the development ministries of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK (known as the U4). The report analyses empirical evidence from 336 peace building projects implemented by the U4.

Overall, the report finds major strategic deficits in the peace building efforts of the U4. However, evidence outside the survey presented in this report find that the U4 are not alone in this strategic deficiency. The author notes that the problem is visible in the fact that more than 55 per cent of peace building projects do not show any link to a broader strategy for the country in which they are implemented.

The report details a number of recommendations in establishing strategic frameworks, including:

• assistance in formulating peace building intervention strategies in specific countries and regions should be implemented
• assistance in formulating a general peace building strategy for donor governments should be undertaken.

A general peace building strategy for a donor country should cover the following:

• basic principles, goals and the challenges to the achievement of those goals – a simple statement of political principles and worldview
• the government’s understanding of the concept of peace building and its purpose – a summary of the government’s analysis, with emphasis on cooperation
• the conditions in which the government will consider whether to launch or participate in a peace building intervention
• the importance of tailoring each intervention to the requirements of the case – there is no one-size-fits-all version of peace building.

[adapted from author]