UNDP/BCPR provides expertise on crisis issues to UNDP country offices, regional bureaus, and headquarters. The work of the Bureau bridges the humanitarian phase of a post-crisis response and the long-term development phase following recovery. BCPR is also an advocate for crisis sensitivity, working to ensure that all UNDP's long-term development policies and programmes address the risks and opportunities related to disaster reduction and conflict prevention.
To enhance UNDP's efforts for sustainable development, working with partners to reduce the incidence and impact of disasters and violent conflicts, and to establish the solid foundations for peace and recovery from crisis, thereby advancing the UN Millennium Development Goals on poverty reduction.
Currently UNDP understands peace building on the ‘conceptual basis’ endorsed by the Policy Committee on May 22 2007. This is paraphrased in the most recent draft of the SG report as follows: ‘Peacebuilding involves a range of measures targeted to reduce the risk of lapsing or relapsing into conflict by strengthening national capacities at all levels for conflict management, and to lay the foundations for sustainable peace and development. It comprises a carefully prioritized, sequenced and therefore relatively narrow set of activities tailored to the specific needs of the country concerned, based on national ownership.
During the period 2003 – today, the bulk of the support provided by BCPR focused on the following 3 areas of work: Conflict prevention, mine action and more recently on Security Sector Reform. Due to the present security situation in Guinea Bissau the DDR efforts are in a holding pattern. BCPR continues to monitor the political situation. As an interim measure UNDP/BCPR is supporting the CO to engage in a ‘lessons learned’ study of prior reintegration efforts to increase its planning capacities in anticipation of another DDR in the country.
Rule of Law, Justice & Security: As mentioned above, UNDP GB, with the support of BCPR (technical and financial) developed a SSR project in 2008 (8 million dollars for 3 years) that started activities in November 2008. The project focuses on the following areas:
Strengthening the administration of justice. The project will support the Ministry of Justice and provide technical and financial assistance to the court system and the prosecution office. The project will also support national authorities to provide justice services in four selected jurisdictions in the countryside, with infrastructure, equipment for courts, prosecution and legal aid.
Access to justice mechanisms. The project will help the authorities to provide better legal aid services to the poor and disadvantaged. Prevention of SGBV and assistance to SGBV survivors will also be of critical attention. The project will also provide support to law schools and assist to the creation of a law clinic. The project will supply grants to NGOs that provide legal aid services.
Support the law enforcement system. The project will support the Ministry of Internal Affairs to implement the national strategy on regard to the reform of police forces. Similarly, the project will assist the Ministry in improving security services to the population, in particular women, though the implementation of community policy strategies. The project will support training strategies and other support activities.
Strengthen governance of the security sector. In line with its mandate, UNDP will support civilian authorities, in particular the Coordination committee to implement in a coherent way and monitor, the national security strategy that, as said, includes all the rule of law institutions. The project will enhance capacities of line ministries in charge of management and oversight of security institutions as well as support the Parliament with external oversight capacities.
Also, BCPR provided technical support for the design of the Joint programme together with UNOGBIS, UNFPA, UNODC and UNIFEM to strengthen the national justice and security sector reform process.
Mine Action: BCPR has been a long standing partner of the mine action programme in GB, providing extensive funding and technical assistance. Since 2007, the support provided consist mostly in technical advice for a project which suffers from a lack of capacity both in the government and in the CO as evidenced by the fact that for almost two years, the project was left without a Chief Technical Advisor. Support is being provided from Johannesburg (ASRO2) and New-York.
Conflict Prevention: In 2006, a joint UNDP mission of UNDP/BCPR, the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the UN Inter-departmental Framework for Coordination on Conflict Prevention (the Framework Team) was deployed to Guinea-Bissau. The mission worked closely with UNOGBIS and UNDP/Bissau staff, and consulted with a wide range of national and international stakeholders. As a result of the mission, the programme “Building National Capacities for Dialogue and Collaborative Decision-making in Guinea-Bissau” was formulated. The programme focused on capacity-building for dialogue and collaborative decision-making, in four main areas: (i) enhancing conflict management skills and capacities of the legislative and judicial branches of government; (ii) strengthening the influence and capacity of civil society to engage in participatory dialogue processes with political actors in a collaborative manner; (iii) capacitating the armed forces and political parties to organize stakeholder consultation processes; (iv) preliminary planning for long-term reconstruction of government machinery. The programme was funded by BCPR for a total of USD 450,000.
A number of factors delayed the start of the implementation of the programme, including change of senior management in the UNDP Country Office and recruitment difficulties. A Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) was recruited in February 2008. Two National United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) were also recruited in August 2008. Since her appointment, the PDA has supported UNDP and the UN system in the implementation of a number of initiatives, including in particular:
In the area of Security Sector Reform, the PDA supported the design and organization of a UN workshop for the state institutions involved in public security to address issues of inter-jurisdictional ambiguity
In the area of youth empowerment, the PDA led the design and launching of a pilot Youth Initiative to provide training, accompaniment and funds to youth groups in promoting a culture of peace in Guinea Bissau.
In 2008 a number of developments (primarily the adoption of a roadmap for SSR and the inclusion of Guinea-Bissau in the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission) have made it necessary to reformulate the programme to better respond to the reality of Guinea-Bissau. The main revisions can be summarized as follows:
The programme is intended as complementary to the newly-established programme “Support to the Rule of Law in Guinea-Bissau through justice and security sector reform”, with a defined focus on strengthening civil society involvement and popular participation in key JSSR processes.
Compared to the original document, the programme has a stronger focus on youth empowerment and participation, building on the lessons of the pilot Youth Advocacy Initiative, and complementing the efforts for youth employment carried out in the context of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau.
The programme has a stronger focus on localized forms of violence, in particular related to access to land and other resources.
The envisaged duration of the programme is four years.
Livelihoods, armed violence prevention and reduction
Gender mainstreaming
Access to Justice Project (with particular emphasis on Gender Based Violence)
Statebuilding
Livlihoods
DDR
Capacity for post crisis programming: Since 2002, BCPR have been actively engaged in all aspects of the “4R” process by helping the CO to strengthen its overall approach to 4Rs, including through the provision of funds, a reintegration advisor, and support in developing an integrated 4Rs programme with UNHCR and other agencies for donor funding. A recovery strategy has been developed with adequate linkages between humanitarian and development activities. In addition to support to a national small arms reduction initiative, BCPR has also supported the launch of a regional cross-border programme targeting the Mano River Union.
Prevention and reduction of the proliferation of small arms: This has been mainly assisted through an “Arms for Development” programme that sensitizes communities to security issues and empowers them to contribute to arms collec¬tion programmes. In return, communities are being assisted with quick and specific development programmes, such as community centres and school reha¬bilitation. Some 6,000 weapons have been collected in this fashion and some US$2 million is programmed for community rehabilitation with overall US$3 million support from Japan, Germany and Sweden. This programme also sup¬ports the ECOWAS small arms project.
Transition and decentralisation support. Norway, Sweden, Japan and the United Kingdom (DFID) are also assisting with just under US2 million transition and decentralisation support programmes in the form of village and town markets, rehabilitation of police stations, prisons, lorry parks, building of integrated bor¬der posts, and improvement of dump sites and solid waste management practices.
Community rehabilitation: Apart from the community centres, livelihood sup¬port and school rehabilitation under the Arms for Development Programme, District Councils are assisted with capacity strengthening and a wide range of projects and programmes aimed at the restoration of normalcy and the continu¬ing improvement of the delivery of basic services. These programmes comprise the provision of water and sanitation facilities in schools, the provision of agri¬cultural machinery, support to cassava production and livestock support.
Strengthened capacity for disaster response and management: UNDP supports the Disaster Risk Management programmes coordinated by the Office of the National Security (ONS). UNDP assists the consolidation of peace also by fo¬cusing on early warnings systems to prevent disasters and conflicts. A BCPR mission was undertaken to commence dialogue with the Government. This was followed by a national Needs Assessment study to determine the various risks (manmade and natural) profiles that the country has for disasters.
Peace Building Fund: UNDP will play a key role in the implementation of pro¬grammes funded through the Peace Building Fund (PBF), particularly those aimed at reducing youth employment (approved in April 2007), improving secu¬rity (support to the Police and to the Armed Forces) and democratic governance, which programmes in turn are approved for support from the PBF. BCPR rapid Deployment facility programme have provided 2 UNVs (Finance and procurement) to speed up procurement and management of 28 million PBF funds. The support was very important, especially during the October 2007 elections.
Rule of Law: As part of a broader conflict prevention strategy for the country, UNDP designed an US$ 8 million project which aims at: 1) strengthening justice institutions to deliver justice services to the people (Ministry of Justice, prosecution service, courts) with a strong focus on rural areas; 2) improving access to justice, especially for women (including GBV), supporting legal aid, a legal clinic, traditional justice systems and the bar association; 3) supporting law enforcement institutions to deliver security services and 4) supporting governance aspects of security institutions (Ministries, legal framework for security institutions, parliamentary oversight). The project started activities in the second half of 2008
DDR: In January 2009 UNDP was appointed the Organ Executif to managing the DDR effort in CAR. This was endorsed at the policy level in Libreville by the Comite de Suivi and at the managerial/operational level in Bangui by the Comite de Pilotage. Subsequently the BCPR DDR Team has assisted the CO in constituting a preparatory DDR team. Since this time a project document, budget and JOP have been developed. BCPR successfully advocated for financial support with the PBF allocating 4 million USD to the DDR effort. Additional advocacy and support efforts include an additional 12 million of CEMAC funding towards the DDR programme
UNDP operates in Burundi as part of the Bureau Intégrée des Nations Unies au Burundi (BINUB) which was established on 1 January 2007 as a peace-building mission pursuant to Security Council resolution 1719 (2006) following the withdrawal of ONUB. UNDP is charged with the execution of the majority of projects implemented through BINUB’s three joint sections: Peace and Governance; Human Rights and Justice; and Security Sector Reform and Small Arms.
In late 2006, Burundi and Sierra Leone were the first countries to receive allocations from the Peace Building Fund (PBF). Both countries are also before the Peace Building Commission (PBC). The majority of projects funded by the PBF in Burundi are executed by UNDP, which are implemented through BINUB’s joint sections. UNDP PBF projects represent US$27.4 million of the total US$35 million PBF envelope for Burundi.
The UN’s response has been carried out on two levels—the political and the programmatic levels. This organization reflects the desire to provide sustained, integrated and reliable support to the peace consolidation process in Burundi. At the political level, this response is provided through the implementation of the Security Council’s resolution regarding BINUB’s mandate.
The priorities outlined in the May 2006 Agreement and in the UN Common Action Plan have provided a framework for defining the role of UNDP within the context of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB). In particular, UNDP has assumed a leading role by providing programmatic technical expertise within BINUB’s three integrated sections of Peace and Governance, Human Rights and Justice, and Security Sector Reform and Small Arms, as well as to the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, towards the development and implementation of joint programmes including PBF funded peace-building priority plan projects.
UNDP is charged with the execution of 14 of the 18 projects comprising Burundi’s PBF Peace building Priority Plan, as well as two additional PBF Emergency Window projects to Support the implementation of the Regional Facilitation’s Plan of Action to take further the Burundi peace process and Support to DDR – Phase 1. These 15 UNDP execution projects represent US$26.4 million of the total US$35 million PBF envelope for Burundi.
At the program level, UNDP is involved in community recovery programmes, including support to communities, national structures—central and local—and local civil society organizations involved in responding to the socio-economic recovery needs and effectively participate in the peace consolidation process. UNDP Early recovery approach aims: a) to revive local economies through rehabilitating assets and production capacity, with a particular accent on the promotion of local private enterprise and associations, and targeting youth, women and other high-risk groups; b) to facilitate access to decent and functional basic social services; c) to promote local governance and security by strengthening community capacities and inclusive decision making mechanisms.
UNDP also brings its support to Government efforts in the area of securing communities by making the national security forces more professional and basing them more locally, reducing the proliferation and circulation of small arms and light weapons and disarming the civilian population. UNDP aims, among other things, to consolidate the practice of dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences—especially land conflicts—within communities, in order to strengthen social reconciliation and cohesion.
DDR: In December 2008 the WB administered MDRP for DDR expired. Since this time UNDP, as part of the integrated SA Team has established a platform for assisting in the areas of disarmament and demobilization, which includes upwards of 11,000 former FNL and associated personnel. The BCPR Team participated in a joint TAM, as well as an independent assessment mission in February 2009 with a follow-up mission planned for 2009 3rd quarter. Efforts supporting resource mobilization into a ‘basket fund’ have facilitated jump starting the stalled DDR effort. Additional efforts include integrating UNDP Early Recovery efforts with reintegration of FNL former combatants.
During the period 2003 – today, the bulk of the support provided by BCPR focused on the following 3 areas of work: Conflict prevention, mine action and more recently on Security Sector Reform. Due to the present security situation in Guinea Bissau the DDR efforts are in a holding pattern. BCPR continues to monitor the political situation. As an interim measure UNDP/BCPR is supporting the CO to engage in a ‘lessons learned’ study of prior reintegration efforts to increase its planning capacities in anticipation of another DDR in the country.
Rule of Law, Justice & Security: As mentioned above, UNDP GB, with the support of BCPR (technical and financial) developed a SSR project in 2008 (8 million dollars for 3 years) that started activities in November 2008. The project focuses on the following areas:
Strengthening the administration of justice. The project will support the Ministry of Justice and provide technical and financial assistance to the court system and the prosecution office. The project will also support national authorities to provide justice services in four selected jurisdictions in the countryside, with infrastructure, equipment for courts, prosecution and legal aid.
Access to justice mechanisms. The project will help the authorities to provide better legal aid services to the poor and disadvantaged. Prevention of SGBV and assistance to SGBV survivors will also be of critical attention. The project will also provide support to law schools and assist to the creation of a law clinic. The project will supply grants to NGOs that provide legal aid services.
Support the law enforcement system. The project will support the Ministry of Internal Affairs to implement the national strategy on regard to the reform of police forces. Similarly, the project will assist the Ministry in improving security services to the population, in particular women, though the implementation of community policy strategies. The project will support training strategies and other support activities.
Strengthen governance of the security sector. In line with its mandate, UNDP will support civilian authorities, in particular the Coordination committee to implement in a coherent way and monitor, the national security strategy that, as said, includes all the rule of law institutions. The project will enhance capacities of line ministries in charge of management and oversight of security institutions as well as support the Parliament with external oversight capacities.
Also, BCPR provided technical support for the design of the Joint programme together with UNOGBIS, UNFPA, UNODC and UNIFEM to strengthen the national justice and security sector reform process.
Mine Action: BCPR has been a long standing partner of the mine action programme in GB, providing extensive funding and technical assistance. Since 2007, the support provided consist mostly in technical advice for a project which suffers from a lack of capacity both in the government and in the CO as evidenced by the fact that for almost two years, the project was left without a Chief Technical Advisor. Support is being provided from Johannesburg (ASRO2) and New-York.
Conflict Prevention: In 2006, a joint UNDP mission of UNDP/BCPR, the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the UN Inter-departmental Framework for Coordination on Conflict Prevention (the Framework Team) was deployed to Guinea-Bissau. The mission worked closely with UNOGBIS and UNDP/Bissau staff, and consulted with a wide range of national and international stakeholders. As a result of the mission, the programme “Building National Capacities for Dialogue and Collaborative Decision-making in Guinea-Bissau” was formulated. The programme focused on capacity-building for dialogue and collaborative decision-making, in four main areas: (i) enhancing conflict management skills and capacities of the legislative and judicial branches of government; (ii) strengthening the influence and capacity of civil society to engage in participatory dialogue processes with political actors in a collaborative manner; (iii) capacitating the armed forces and political parties to organize stakeholder consultation processes; (iv) preliminary planning for long-term reconstruction of government machinery. The programme was funded by BCPR for a total of USD 450,000.
A number of factors delayed the start of the implementation of the programme, including change of senior management in the UNDP Country Office and recruitment difficulties. A Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) was recruited in February 2008. Two National United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) were also recruited in August 2008. Since her appointment, the PDA has supported UNDP and the UN system in the implementation of a number of initiatives, including in particular:
In the area of Security Sector Reform, the PDA supported the design and organization of a UN workshop for the state institutions involved in public security to address issues of inter-jurisdictional ambiguity
In the area of youth empowerment, the PDA led the design and launching of a pilot Youth Initiative to provide training, accompaniment and funds to youth groups in promoting a culture of peace in Guinea Bissau.
In 2008 a number of developments (primarily the adoption of a roadmap for SSR and the inclusion of Guinea-Bissau in the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission) have made it necessary to reformulate the programme to better respond to the reality of Guinea-Bissau. The main revisions can be summarized as follows:
The programme is intended as complementary to the newly-established programme “Support to the Rule of Law in Guinea-Bissau through justice and security sector reform”, with a defined focus on strengthening civil society involvement and popular participation in key JSSR processes.
Compared to the original document, the programme has a stronger focus on youth empowerment and participation, building on the lessons of the pilot Youth Advocacy Initiative, and complementing the efforts for youth employment carried out in the context of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau.
The programme has a stronger focus on localized forms of violence, in particular related to access to land and other resources.
The envisaged duration of the programme is four years.
Livelihoods, armed violence prevention and reduction
Gender mainstreaming
Access to Justice Project (with particular emphasis on Gender Based Violence)
Statebuilding
Livlihoods
DDR
Capacity for post crisis programming: Since 2002, BCPR have been actively engaged in all aspects of the “4R” process by helping the CO to strengthen its overall approach to 4Rs, including through the provision of funds, a reintegration advisor, and support in developing an integrated 4Rs programme with UNHCR and other agencies for donor funding. A recovery strategy has been developed with adequate linkages between humanitarian and development activities. In addition to support to a national small arms reduction initiative, BCPR has also supported the launch of a regional cross-border programme targeting the Mano River Union.
Prevention and reduction of the proliferation of small arms: This has been mainly assisted through an “Arms for Development” programme that sensitizes communities to security issues and empowers them to contribute to arms collec¬tion programmes. In return, communities are being assisted with quick and specific development programmes, such as community centres and school reha¬bilitation. Some 6,000 weapons have been collected in this fashion and some US$2 million is programmed for community rehabilitation with overall US$3 million support from Japan, Germany and Sweden. This programme also sup¬ports the ECOWAS small arms project.
Transition and decentralisation support. Norway, Sweden, Japan and the United Kingdom (DFID) are also assisting with just under US2 million transition and decentralisation support programmes in the form of village and town markets, rehabilitation of police stations, prisons, lorry parks, building of integrated bor¬der posts, and improvement of dump sites and solid waste management practices.
Community rehabilitation: Apart from the community centres, livelihood sup¬port and school rehabilitation under the Arms for Development Programme, District Councils are assisted with capacity strengthening and a wide range of projects and programmes aimed at the restoration of normalcy and the continu¬ing improvement of the delivery of basic services. These programmes comprise the provision of water and sanitation facilities in schools, the provision of agri¬cultural machinery, support to cassava production and livestock support.
Strengthened capacity for disaster response and management: UNDP supports the Disaster Risk Management programmes coordinated by the Office of the National Security (ONS). UNDP assists the consolidation of peace also by fo¬cusing on early warnings systems to prevent disasters and conflicts. A BCPR mission was undertaken to commence dialogue with the Government. This was followed by a national Needs Assessment study to determine the various risks (manmade and natural) profiles that the country has for disasters.
Peace Building Fund: UNDP will play a key role in the implementation of pro¬grammes funded through the Peace Building Fund (PBF), particularly those aimed at reducing youth employment (approved in April 2007), improving secu¬rity (support to the Police and to the Armed Forces) and democratic governance, which programmes in turn are approved for support from the PBF. BCPR rapid Deployment facility programme have provided 2 UNVs (Finance and procurement) to speed up procurement and management of 28 million PBF funds. The support was very important, especially during the October 2007 elections.
Rule of Law: As part of a broader conflict prevention strategy for the country, UNDP designed an US$ 8 million project which aims at: 1) strengthening justice institutions to deliver justice services to the people (Ministry of Justice, prosecution service, courts) with a strong focus on rural areas; 2) improving access to justice, especially for women (including GBV), supporting legal aid, a legal clinic, traditional justice systems and the bar association; 3) supporting law enforcement institutions to deliver security services and 4) supporting governance aspects of security institutions (Ministries, legal framework for security institutions, parliamentary oversight). The project started activities in the second half of 2008
DDR: In January 2009 UNDP was appointed the Organ Executif to managing the DDR effort in CAR. This was endorsed at the policy level in Libreville by the Comite de Suivi and at the managerial/operational level in Bangui by the Comite de Pilotage. Subsequently the BCPR DDR Team has assisted the CO in constituting a preparatory DDR team. Since this time a project document, budget and JOP have been developed. BCPR successfully advocated for financial support with the PBF allocating 4 million USD to the DDR effort. Additional advocacy and support efforts include an additional 12 million of CEMAC funding towards the DDR programme
UNDP operates in Burundi as part of the Bureau Intégrée des Nations Unies au Burundi (BINUB) which was established on 1 January 2007 as a peace-building mission pursuant to Security Council resolution 1719 (2006) following the withdrawal of ONUB. UNDP is charged with the execution of the majority of projects implemented through BINUB’s three joint sections: Peace and Governance; Human Rights and Justice; and Security Sector Reform and Small Arms.
In late 2006, Burundi and Sierra Leone were the first countries to receive allocations from the Peace Building Fund (PBF). Both countries are also before the Peace Building Commission (PBC). The majority of projects funded by the PBF in Burundi are executed by UNDP, which are implemented through BINUB’s joint sections. UNDP PBF projects represent US$27.4 million of the total US$35 million PBF envelope for Burundi.
The UN’s response has been carried out on two levels—the political and the programmatic levels. This organization reflects the desire to provide sustained, integrated and reliable support to the peace consolidation process in Burundi. At the political level, this response is provided through the implementation of the Security Council’s resolution regarding BINUB’s mandate.
The priorities outlined in the May 2006 Agreement and in the UN Common Action Plan have provided a framework for defining the role of UNDP within the context of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB). In particular, UNDP has assumed a leading role by providing programmatic technical expertise within BINUB’s three integrated sections of Peace and Governance, Human Rights and Justice, and Security Sector Reform and Small Arms, as well as to the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, towards the development and implementation of joint programmes including PBF funded peace-building priority plan projects.
UNDP is charged with the execution of 14 of the 18 projects comprising Burundi’s PBF Peace building Priority Plan, as well as two additional PBF Emergency Window projects to Support the implementation of the Regional Facilitation’s Plan of Action to take further the Burundi peace process and Support to DDR – Phase 1. These 15 UNDP execution projects represent US$26.4 million of the total US$35 million PBF envelope for Burundi.
At the program level, UNDP is involved in community recovery programmes, including support to communities, national structures—central and local—and local civil society organizations involved in responding to the socio-economic recovery needs and effectively participate in the peace consolidation process. UNDP Early recovery approach aims: a) to revive local economies through rehabilitating assets and production capacity, with a particular accent on the promotion of local private enterprise and associations, and targeting youth, women and other high-risk groups; b) to facilitate access to decent and functional basic social services; c) to promote local governance and security by strengthening community capacities and inclusive decision making mechanisms.
UNDP also brings its support to Government efforts in the area of securing communities by making the national security forces more professional and basing them more locally, reducing the proliferation and circulation of small arms and light weapons and disarming the civilian population. UNDP aims, among other things, to consolidate the practice of dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences—especially land conflicts—within communities, in order to strengthen social reconciliation and cohesion.
DDR: In December 2008 the WB administered MDRP for DDR expired. Since this time UNDP, as part of the integrated SA Team has established a platform for assisting in the areas of disarmament and demobilization, which includes upwards of 11,000 former FNL and associated personnel. The BCPR Team participated in a joint TAM, as well as an independent assessment mission in February 2009 with a follow-up mission planned for 2009 3rd quarter. Efforts supporting resource mobilization into a ‘basket fund’ have facilitated jump starting the stalled DDR effort. Additional efforts include integrating UNDP Early Recovery efforts with reintegration of FNL former combatants.
1) Provide technical expertise: By serving as a repository for tools, methods, and experience, UNDP/BCPR provides both technical knowledge and financial resources to support prevention and recovery efforts. 2) Protect women and give them a voice: Security threats to women escalate in times of crisis. UNDP/BCPR seeks to empower women and girls and give them a voice in the recovery effort through its Eight Point Agenda for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality in Crisis Prevention and Recovery. 3) Recognize the importance of partners: UNDP/BCPR fosters partnerships to design and implement crisis and recovery programmes. 4) Develop policy and contribute to the capacity of societies in crisis to prevent and resolve conflict. 5) Provide leadership on crisis issues, serving as a centre for crisis policy and best practice for partner agencies and governments. 6) Advocate for crisis sensitivity. UNDP/BCPR works to ensure that long-term development policies and programmes incorporate opportunities for disaster reduction and conflict prevention
Having been engaged with DCAF in research on Gender and Security Sector Reform, UNDP is now providing financial assistance to translate and disseminate the Gender and SSR toolkit.
Gender lead is taken by UNFPA with whom we closely collaborate.
NGO, United Nations. In 2005 the IASC undertook a review of the global humanitarian system, which identified weaknesses in the system-wide humanitarian response to crises. As part of the humanitarian reform process that followed, the IASC adopted the ‘cluster approach’, which established eleven inter-agency working groups (clusters) to strengthen leadership, partnership, and build system-wide accountability and predictability for humanitarian action.
UNDP was appointed the lead agency for the Early Recovery Cluster, which works to establish the foundations for longer-term recovery in the immediate aftermath of a crisis in both natural disaster and conflict situations. These foundations include early efforts to secure stability, provision of basic services, ‘building back better’ by addressing root causes of vulnerability or conflict, revival of livelihoods, restoring local capacities of communities and national institutions to govern and manage recovery planning and development processes. 30 humanitarian and development agencies, including 9 NGOs are formal members of the Cluster Working Group on Early Recovery (CWGER) at the global level.
The United Nations is engaged in an on-going process to strengthen its attention to the rule of law at the national and international levels. Ultimately under the authority and direction of the Secretary-General, the responsibility for the overall coordination of the Organization’s rule of law work rests with the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group, chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General, and supported by the Rule of Law Unit. Its role is to ensure coherence and minimize fragmentation across all thematic areas, including justice, security, prison and penal reform, legal reform, constitution-making and transitional justice. The Group conducted a mapping of planned 2008 rule of law activities, which reflected the challenges to coordination and coherence of United Nations rule of law assistance. Between April and December 2008 RoLCRG has also drafted a Joint Strategic Plan for its activities in 2009-2011. The Plan lays out an agenda for key United Nations rule of law efforts to be undertaken by the Group. It outlines the strategic principal outcomes, outputs and joint activities, to which the members of Group will contribute. This inter-agency body is of key importance for UNDP RoLJS initiatives that carry system-wide significance. RoLCRG facilitates UNDP’s contribution to policy making regarding issues of importance for broader system framework, knowledge-sharing and coordination of in-country activities in the field. UNDP has supported the initiative to establish a Strategic Plan for RoLCRG and has consistently and substantively contributed to the outcome document.
Gender and small arms research and advocacy
Training institutes / A network of training institutes (mainly linked to member states) that runs training programmes on DDR.
United Nations / 14 UN agencies, funds and programmes
The UN DDR Resource Centre is developed and managed by the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on DDR. The Working Group also performs the following key functions:
• Provide strategic advice to assist the Organization in improving its work on DDR. This includes among others, advice on the required changes, or adjustments, to the structure and processes in the Organization relating to DDR planning, implementation and monitoring;
• Maintain and review the developed set of United Nations guidance on DDR, including recommending how such a body of guidance can systematically and periodically reviewed and updated;
• Advise the Organization on training needs, policies and strategies in the areas of DDR, including coordinating the roll out of this set of guidance to all United Nations partners engaged in DDR;
• Develop and manage the United Nations DDR Resource Centre;
• Facilitate planning of DDR operations among relevant UN agencies;
• Undertake other DDR activities as appropriate.
UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) unites the work of 12 UN entities with the aim of preventing all forms of gender based violence (GBV), including sexual violence in conflict. It is a ‘concerted effort by the UN to improve coordination and accountability, amplify programming and advocacy, and support national efforts to prevent sexual violence and respond effectively to the needs of survivors.’ Raising public awareness of GBV related issues through advocacy is a key role of UN Action, in particular through the ‘Stop Rape Now’ campaign. The focus of UN action often specifically targets the peacekeeping context, responding to requests from RCs or SRSGs to provide advice on the development of a comprehensive strategy to combat SGBV in conflict. Notably, UN action has supported initiatives in DRC and South Sudan through funding and training. UNDP/BCPR assists UN action with financial contribution and supports UN Action’s role as a catalyst to nudge other actors to do more.
We work closely with women's peacebuilding networks, both global and national, to promote the 8 Point Agenda.