We recognised that although for many years we have been working IN conflict situations, it is only recently that we have begun to work ON conflicts and sought to integrate addressing dynamics of conflict and peace into our mandate. This distinction, and the security issues it raises, was discussed extensively in a workshop in Uganda in December.

We also recognised that our previous work had been based on the assumption that conflict is often the result of underdevelopment and could be indirectly addressed through economic development activities. We now see conflict as a much more complex process involving multiple levels, multiple actors, and critical linkages to our other thematic areas of HIV/AIDS, gender, livelihoods and civil society (especially governance and human rights issues, and the dynamics of social exclusion).

In seeking a niche for ourselves which builds on these insights and on our long involvement in many conflict affected areas, we believe that we should aim at creating conditions for peace rather than ‘conflict prevention’ or ‘peacebuilding’.

An essential step in this is establishing a common understanding of what the issues are which most affect people in and from a war-torn area, whether these are social, economic or political. Our thematic programme therefore takes critical enquiry and analysis of war situations as its starting point, using this to create space for dialogue, influencing and advocacy, as well as informing more traditional projects.

This approach is being piloted in northern Uganda where a one and a half year field research project (COPE) led to an international conference in the area in late 1999, and the development of a northern Uganda programme which pulls together the previously separate programmes of Gulu, Kitgum and Adjumani districts. Although each district exhibits different symptoms of conflict, they are all part of the same overall dynamic.

Initial findings from the COPE research were written up and presented to CODEP (January) DFID (April), University of York (September), IDPM (October), International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (January 2001) and prepared for wider dissemination in 2001, including in the various villages where the research was conducted. All the hand-written data was also computerised during the course of 2000.

The emphasis of our feedback of findings has been on the range of issues, which need to be addressed in order to create a climate conducive to peace. We have also closely examined how the methodology adopted allowed research to be a driving force in our day to day work.

The Multi-Level Longitudinal Monitoring System, a data archiving and analysis tool developed for our conflict analysis in northern Uganda, was successfully implemented in Angola, and we are planning to incorporate data on the conflict on the border between Angola and Namibia.

Other research initiatives which will form the basis of future thematic programming in conflict include our research project on gender and conflict which is being conducted in five conflict-affected areas, our research on conflict and natural resource management in northern Mali, and a newly developed research project which focuses on the possible repatriation and reintegration of Burundese refugees from Tanzania following the peace accord in August.

It is envisaged that seven area programmes will be the basis of our new thematic programme on conflict, involving twenty countries of the Sahel, the Horn, West Africa, Southern Africa, the Great Lakes and east Africa.

• Our conflict programme in Gulu continued to promote peace and the rebuilding of trust and interaction between different groups of people affected by conflict by seeking to meet their practical and social needs through a number of integrated and sustainable rehabilitation and development activities.
  
• Ongoing research and documentation of the realities of the war in Northern Uganda provided deeper understanding and accurate information for proper identification and appropriate support to the most affected survivors; the raped, maimed/injured, traumatised, disadvantaged farm families, Ebola victims and former abductees.

• One hundred and seventy seven victims of war in Gulu regained some hope and self-worth as a result of increased access to psychological and medical services extended to them by People's Voice for Peace, an NGO that we support. Local efforts to influence the conflict included active participation in raising peace awareness by use of drama, songs and public peace demonstrations and contributions at workshops.

• The peace-making and reconciliation processes in northern Uganda resulted in the formation of an effective unifying umbrella organisation, the District Reconciliation Peace Team and the Joint Forum for Peace (JFP) in Gulu and Kitgum Districts respectively. One of its most visible successes was to take a lead in lobbying the Uganda government to pass the Amnesty Bill for all rebel movements in Uganda.

• We contributed towards a more peaceful coexistence amongst the multi-ethnic groups in the Gambos by increasing the availability of water and training more people in livestock management.

• We played an important mediating role in the conflict between sedentary farmers and pastoralists over access to land in northern Mali. The confidence the communities have in us has been hard won over a number of years. Committees were formed to focus on land tenure issues and to pursue the process towards a peaceful resolution.

• We emphasised activities that promote peace in Gambella. We formed and strengthened local peace committees that could implement decisions agreed between the warring factions and supported the organisation of peace conferences, workshops and meetings.

• We arranged quarterly workshops between leaders of different districts in Somalia, which proved successful in steering the implementation of projects, mainly by regulating the relations between clans. This also made the programme area more secure.

• We provided food and agricultural support to 13,585 people (roughly 2,700 households) in the rural, drought stricken areas of Shashemane, Ethiopia.

• We provided emergency support to an estimated 11,283 displaced people in Inhambane, Mozambique, who lost their harvest and means of production after the heavy downpours and the cyclone which battered the central and southern regions. The initial phase of our programme included the provision of shelter, seeds and tools and working with communities and civil society groups to explore ways of improving their ability to cope with such emergencies in the future.