Peacebuilding in times of COVID-19: risk-adapted strategies of cooperation and development projects

Abstract

National and international cooperation and development projects (CDP) are fundamental for peacebuilding. However, unforeseen global crises, like COVID-19, can endanger such projects, requiring rapid adaption. In Colombia, the coronavirus outbreak threatens to slow the implementation of peace-related projects, while simultaneously violence over control and ownership of land increases. Although the mid- to long-term consequences for peacebuilding are unknown, exploring risk-adapted strategies of national and international CDP can help identify crucial aspects for future processes and implementations. This study explores the key challenges and coping strategies of implementing agencies and stakeholders to COVID-19, thus helping to derive and improve risk-adapted strategies. After reviewing academic and grey literature, and implementing a semi-structured survey, peacebuilding risked-adapted strategies to COVID-19 are explored with respect to conflict-affected and vulnerable areas of Colombia. Findings show that increasing complexity rooted in top down governmental measures, the rise of new local power relations (e.g. armed groups, illicit activities), and social alienation are negatively affecting peacebuilding in Colombia. Future CDP risk adapted strategies should build on local interests and needs through public-private and environmental cooperation.

Peacebuilders and the Pandemic

“…Although it is too early to understand the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on peacebuilding, Eufemia et al (2020), argue that "unforeseen global crises, like COVID-19, can endanger such projects, requiring rapid adap-tion…" (p.385). UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, told the UN Security Council in July 2020 that the COVID-19 pandemic was "profoundly affecting" peace and security worldwide, with the "health pandemic…fast becoming a protection crisis" (as cited in Security Council).…”

“…Though, utilising current scholarship on grief during the pandemic, it is reasonable to assume peacebuilders are also experiencing a series of 'tremendous' and 'smaller losses' affecting their daily life. Current scholarship concerning how the COVID-19 pandemic affects peacebuilders is closely tied to the pandemic's broader impact on peace, security, and conflict (see CSP & PD, 2020;Eufemia et al, 2020;CSPS, 2020). Still, the CSP & PD (2020) consultation reveals peacebuilders struggle with peacebuilding during the pandemic due to changes in their work and mental health issues (p.6).…”

“…In developing the research design for this paper, I drew on Ball-Rokeach's (1973) exploration of ambiguity to provide the research with direction. Previous studies that discuss peacebuilders during the COVID-19 pandemic do not have this theoretical background (see CSP & PD, 2020;Eufemia et al 2020;CSPS, 2020). Ambiguity is distinguished as focused ambiguity and pervasive ambiguity (Ball-Rokeach, 1973).…”

Between Handholding and Hand-held Devices: Marketing Through Smartphone Innovation and Women’s Entrepreneurship in Post Conflict Economies in Times of Crisis

“…Particularly, the COVID-19 crisis in post conflict economies reflect increased complexities (Eufemia et al, 2020). Although some scholars emphasised that many possibilities exist for people to exploit post-conflict economy (Brück et al, 2013).…”