Strengthening Local Capacities for Dispute Resolution in Afghanistan
Decades of war in Afghanistan have undermined the legitimacy of the government and have decimated the capacity of local conflict resolution and mediation systems. In the absence of functioning state institutions, generations of young people are largely deprived of educational opportunities and meaningful employment prospects. In rural villages, this is exacerbated by the resettlement of refugees and IDPs, causing a rise in the number of conflicts between individuals and communities over access and rights to scarce commodities.
Decades of war in Afghanistan have undermined the legitimacy of the government and have decimated the capacity of local conflict resolution and mediation systems. In the absence of functioning state institutions, generations of young people are largely deprived of educational opportunities and meaningful employment prospects. In rural villages, this is exacerbated by the resettlement of refugees and IDPs, causing a rise in the number of conflicts between individuals and communities over access and rights to scarce commodities.
With the support of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Organization of Human Resource Development (OHRD) is strengthening local capacities for peace and conflict resolution in Afghanistan's Parwan province by conducting training workshops on conflict management, negotiation, and mediation. Based on the teachings of traditional nonviolent dispute resolution mechanisms, the training is designed to help local community institutions better understand conflict and its causes, while increasing their ability to prevent its reoccurrence. To date, 78 training workshops have trained 1,541 people, including 134 government staffers and teachers. Illiterate participants, an emphasis of the project, are trained using flip charts, posters, and oral stories. For literate participants, lectures, working groups, and case studies are used. OHRD has also conducted a baseline survey to measure impact and compare changes in perception and capacity among participating and non-participating communities. The trainings are complemented by a public awareness campaign to promote peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. Banners and flip charts have been produced for mass dissemination and distribution in the project target areas.
To utilize the acquired skills and knowledge, 23 Peacebuilding Committees(PBCs) have been established. The PBCs indentify and receive dispute cases in local villages and work to implement a peaceful resolution process. The PBCs are also working to ensure synergy and comprehensive cooperation with relevant district government authorities. OHRD's efforts promote trust and understanding between community level decision-makers that is integral to the enhancement of nonviolent conflict resolution structures and the prevalence of peace and stability in the country.
