HPCR International’s Peacebuilding Initiative aims to enhance the work of practitioners and policymakers engaged in peacebuilding activities by clustering and transmitting information, facilitating dialogue on key dilemmas, and providing timely policy materials.

The objectives of the Peacebuilding Initiative include:

• Defining the boundaries and conceptual challenges of peacebuilding;
• Studying peacebuilding from the perspective of international and local actors;
• Identifying gaps in knowledge resources or communication;
• Facilitating information sharing and professional networking; and
• Promoting critical discussion on the roles of different actors, best practices, and indicators, with the view of enhancing the impact of peacebuilding efforts.

In July 2007, the Initiative launched a pilot website on Sierra Leone, focused on the four priority areas identified by the Government of Sierra Leone in consultation with the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). In 2008, the Initiative intends to develop a parallel portal on Burundi, a country on the PBC’s agenda, and to create a thematic portal containing background on the evolution of peacebuilding, key debates and actors, as well content and resources on thematic areas and cross-cutting challenges.

By developing both country-specific platforms, as well as a broader thematic portal, the Initiative targets policymakers at headquarters and the range of practitioners involved in peacebuilding at the country level. Together, this series of portals are designed to help to identify gaps in research for further exploration, create a network of practitioners sharing experience and knowledge, and provide a platform for complementary policy and training activities.

The Peacebuilding Initiative was developed in 2007 by HPCR International, and works in partnership with the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office, and in cooperation with the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University. Since 2007, the project has benefited from the generous support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Peacebuilding Initiative activities are led by HPCR International’s office in New York.