Conflict Prevention in a multipolar world: Perspective from g7+ countries
Group of Seven Plus (g7+) High-Level Summit
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests, all protocol observed My name is Claire Quenum, I coordinate a civil society network in Togo, one of the g7+
countries. I am speaking to you as a representative of the Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS).
Ladies and gentlemen,
The world today is facing multiple severe challenges which are threatening human life
everywhere.
When we look at the poor and fragile countries particularly in Africa, the burden of debts, inappropriate development policies, the failure of the education and training system to offer women and the youth to acquire skills, the failure to deliver services to allow people and communities specially women and the youth to meet basic human needs in order to lead a decent life are some of the causes of the vulnerabilities which nourish fragility and conflicts.
Prevention of conflicts, peacebuilding and statebuilding are most needed and must be integrated in the development programs in order to reach the sustainable goals.
There have been programs on peace and conflict resolution throughout the years but, presently, the new and compounding challenges such as climate emergency, COVID pandemic, Ukraine war, food insecurity, require from the decision makers to consider new paradigms and indicators based on other actors who have been insufficiently taken on board in the previous programs. These are mainly women, youth, local communities, civil society.
Decision makers need to open up to the people they intend to plan and work for. They must go beyond the theory of program documents and shift to concrete action plans that directly benefit the people and the communities.
Civil society is an experienced and reliable partner whose contribution and participation in peacebuilding and statebuilding are key to realise a sustainable development. Civil society is often a first responder that offer tools and ways for conflict prevention, mitigation and
resolution in communities at the local level.
The approach to find the solutions to face the present challenges must be one of multi-actor engagement, a holistic and multi-sectorial approach, where the protection and the respect of human rights and citizens participation are key anchor points to embark on a path towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
We, as civil society, stand ready to partner with the member countries of the g7+ to support a drive towards a locally-led inclusive development process. Restoring and revitalising a social contact between the state and non-state stakeholders is crucial therein, though which the recognition of the contributing role of civil society as development partner is recognized.
Finally, human life is sacred and human dignity must be in the centre of the development we
all want.
Thanks for your attention
Claire Améyo Quenum
Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding
Togo