Programme description

Title: Civil Peace Service programme
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Ethiopia
Partner: House of Federation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Overall term: 2008 to 2013

Context

Ethiopia is a federal country/state defined according to ethno-linguistic criteria. It has a large population that brings together many different peoples and nationalities. The new federal system is in many ways unique, but it is still in an ongoing process of development. The great diversity of Ethiopian society harbours enormous potential, yet it also brings with it the threat of violent conflicts based on differing levels of development and divergent political interests. To promote peace, the communities of Ethiopia use their own traditional conflict resolution mechanisms and seek answers in their indigenous value systems. At the same time, non-governmental and governmental actors bring in outside expertise to help address community conflicts and reconcile conflicting parties at different levels.

The Civil Peace Service (CPS) of Germany operates in many conflict regions around the world. It deploys trained peace consultants on long-term assignments, who work with local partners to improve dialogue processes and build up civil society structures. Ethiopia's great diversity and potential for conflict has resulted in the creation of many different initiatives and peace building activities. The CPS supports these activities with intensive networking, coordination and capacity building measures.

Objective

Peace building and conflict resolution capacities have been strengthened among federal, regional and local actors, enabling the timely, systematic and sustainable transformation of conflicts.

Approach

The CPS programme takes a systemic approach to civil conflict transformation, applying solutions across all sectors and on various different levels. Its interventions focus on policy making and on strengthening relationships between the relevant actors. It is building alliances with governmental and civil society institutions at the national, regional and local levels, and it is helping these actors to collaborate with one another. The programme carries out capacity building measures within these institutions and in cooperation with the conflict-affected communities, jointly working on how to apply methods and mechanisms of non-violent conflict transformation and prevention. The CPS is also supporting the assimilation of lessons learned and best practices at the local level into regional and national policies and strategies.

The programme in Ethiopia involves the placement of both international and local experts with partner organisations, as well as the provision of some financial support.

Results achieved so far

• Trust has built up steadily between the governmental and non-governmental partner organisations, resulting in some important regional and local collaborations for peace.
• Capacities have been strengthened at all levels for the promotion of peace, and local dialogue structures have been established, such as peace committees in Oromia and SNNP Regional State,
• Two strategies for conflict transformation (national and regional) are now being implemented, monitored and adapted.
• Graduates of a comprehensive mediation training course are now promoting the creation of a mediation association in Ethiopia.
• Conflict transformation and peace building skills have been enhanced at all levels through the provision of training in conflict analysis, do-no-harm principles, mediation, and systemic methodologies for conflict work.
• In a number of local communities in SNNPR and Oromia, the culture of peace has been strengthened due to the activities of the broadcaster, Peace Radio, and through peace mapping exercises.