Social Cohesion & Peacebuilding

Considering our in-depth understanding of the conflict and peace dynamics of Afghanistan, we believe ODIR can play an instrumental role in contributing to fostering social cohesion and peace for the sustainable development in the country.

We believe the considerable reduction in direct violence and mass casualties in the country brings along new opportunities for the long-term stability and prosperity of the country. However, for that to happen, there is a need to for a national consensus on the issues of inclusivity, pluralism, and socio-economic equity for all segments of society. The end of war does not mean peace. Peace is a holistic concept and at a minimum, it is about the absence of violence and the absence of fear of violence.

Alongside Human Development, our organizational mandate, vision, mission, strategic objectives and areas of focus are well-aligned with the “Positive Peace” framework. The framework was developed by an Australia-based global think tank “Institute for Economics and Peace”. The positive peace framework focuses on investment in transforming attitudes, structures and institutions that facilitate strengthening the socio-economic, cultural and political infrastructure of a given country.

In terms of our specific areas of focus for contributing to social cohesion and peacebuilding, we aim at the following:

  • Engagement with Afghan civil society, youth and women groups, for enhancing their understanding on their roles, responsibilities and rights as citizens, as well as peacebuilding, peacemaking, conflict transformation, understanding and addressing the underlying causes of recurring cycles of conflict in fragile states such as Afghanistan.
  • Engagement with the current authorities of the country for enhancing their understanding on issues pertaining to reconciliation, inclusivity, pluralism, social cohesion, peace-development nexus, national solidarity etc.
  • Developing/updating conflict profiles of all 34 provinces of the country and designing tailored programs for addressing those conflicts as well as developing early warning systems for conflict mitigation with the help of the local communities.
  • Developing Programs for addressing ecological/environmental threats that have historically resulted in creating conflicts within communities in Afghanistan.
  • Identify venues for the engagement of women and youth in peace and reconciliation processes, especially at sub-national level.
  • Promoting agricultural and environmental entrepreneurship among youth (both male and female) with a view to ensuring sustainable peace and development in Afghanistan.
  • Capacity building of the Afghan authorities, Afghan youth (both males and females), Afghan CBOs/CSOs and Afghan communities in the following areas:
  • ▪ Conflict Analysis

  • ▪ Conflict Resolution

  • ▪ Conflict Transformation

  • ▪ Dialogue, mediation, Negotiation, Communication, peace advocacy etc.

  • ▪ Countering violent extremism through dialogue and advocacy

  • ▪ Use of technology for peace and reconciliation advocacy and campaigns

  • ▪ Other related peacebuilding themes

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