Political Economy of Peacebuilding Training Course

Introduction

Building sustainable peace in post-conflict societies goes beyond simply silencing the guns; it requires a deep understanding of the underlying political and economic forces that drive conflict and shape peace processes. This 5-day training course on the Political Economy of Peacebuilding offers a critical examination of how economic structures, power dynamics, and governance arrangements influence the trajectory of peace and stability. Participants will delve into the complex interplay of illicit economies, natural resource management, equitable development, and institutional reforms, recognizing that peace is inextricably linked to the distribution of resources, opportunities, and political power.

This intensive program is designed for peacebuilding practitioners, policymakers, development professionals, humanitarian actors, and researchers grappling with the complexities of post-conflict recovery. It will equip attendees with the analytical tools to diagnose the political economy of specific conflict contexts, identify potential spoilers and peace constituencies, and design interventions that address the root causes of conflict while fostering inclusive and sustainable economic transformation. By providing a nuanced perspective on the "who benefits" and "who loses" in both conflict and peace, this course aims to empower participants to contribute to more effective and equitable peacebuilding strategies.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience:

  • Peacebuilding practitioners and program managers
  • Development professionals working in fragile and conflict-affected states
  • Policymakers and government officials dealing with post-conflict transitions
  • Humanitarian actors engaged in recovery and resilience programs
  • Researchers and academics in peace and conflict studies, political economy
  • Donor representatives and international financial institution staff
  • Civil society leaders and advocates for social justice

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Define the political economy of peacebuilding and its key analytical frameworks.
  • Analyze how economic factors, power relations, and governance structures influence conflict dynamics and peace processes.
  • Identify the vested interests and "spoiler" dynamics related to economic gains from conflict.
  • Understand the challenges and opportunities in managing natural resources, illicit economies, and equitable development in peacebuilding.
  • Design conflict-sensitive and politically informed economic interventions that contribute to sustainable peace.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to the Political Economy of Conflict and Peacebuilding

  • Defining political economy and its relevance to conflict and peace.
  • Core concepts: rent-seeking, patronage, predatory states, resource curse.
  • How economic grievances and inequalities fuel conflict.
  • The "war economy" and its transformation into a "peace economy."
  • The liberal peacebuilding critique and alternative approaches.

Module 2: Analyzing the Political Economy of Conflict

  • Methodologies for political economy analysis (PEA) in conflict settings.
  • Identifying key economic actors and their interests (elites, armed groups, businesses).
  • Mapping power structures and decision-making processes.
  • Understanding formal and informal economic systems.
  • Case studies of conflict-driven economies.

Module 3: Natural Resources and Conflict

  • The "resource curse" phenomenon and its link to conflict.
  • Management of extractive industries (oil, minerals, timber) in post-conflict states.
  • Revenue sharing mechanisms and equitable distribution of resource wealth.
  • Addressing illicit trade in natural resources and its impact on peace.
  • International norms and initiatives for responsible resource governance.

Module 4: Illicit Economies, Crime, and Peacebuilding

  • The role of illicit economies (e.g., drugs, arms trafficking, smuggling) in sustaining conflict.
  • Challenges of dismantling war economies and integrating ex-combatants.
  • Organized crime and its impact on state fragility and peacebuilding efforts.
  • Strategies for law enforcement, judicial reform, and anti-corruption in post-conflict settings.
  • Balancing security and development in addressing illicit economic activities.

Module 5: Economic Development, Livelihoods, and Inclusion

  • The importance of equitable economic recovery for sustainable peace.
  • Strategies for job creation, livelihood diversification, and vocational training.
  • Addressing land rights, property restitution, and access to productive assets.
  • Promoting inclusive economic growth that benefits marginalized populations.
  • The role of the private sector and local entrepreneurship in peacebuilding.

Module 6: Governance, Institutions, and Economic Reform

  • Strengthening public financial management and transparent budgeting.
  • Reforming state institutions to promote accountability and reduce corruption.
  • The role of international financial institutions (IFIs) and their conditionality.
  • Building legitimate and effective tax systems.
  • Addressing the "political marketplace" and patronage networks.

Module 7: Vested Interests, Spoilers, and Peace Constituencies

  • Identifying actors who benefit from the status quo of conflict or instability.
  • Strategies for managing spoilers and mitigating their disruptive influence.
  • Cultivating and supporting peace constituencies within economic sectors.
  • The role of civil society and local economic actors in promoting peace.
  • Engaging diasporas and their potential economic contributions to peace.

Module 8: Designing Politically Informed Economic Interventions

  • Integrating political economy analysis into peacebuilding program design.
  • Ensuring conflict sensitivity and "do no harm" in economic interventions.
  • Developing adaptive and flexible financing models for peacebuilding.
  • Measuring the peace dividends of economic reforms and development.
  • Advocacy for systemic change in global and national economic policies that impact peace.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Political Economy Of Peacebuilding Training Course in Kenya
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