Parliaments as peacebuilders in conflict-affected countries, Pagina 252

The evolving nature of conflict has created an impetus to reassess which actors or institutions can contribute to resolving conflict and more importantly how these actors can contribute to conflict prevention and the peacebuilding process. One such institution is parliament. The aim of this title is to examine how parliaments in conflict-affected countries are better able to contribute to poverty reduction and conflict prevention, whilst undertaking their everyday functions. One of the best tools a nation has at its disposal for managing conflict and poverty is parliament. Parliaments are natural forums which are uniquely designed to address contentious issues because of the nature of the parliamentary process and parliaments ability to build relationships within parliament and within the broader community, thereby contributing to conflict prevention. The role of parliaments in conflict-affected countries becomes even more pronounced when you consider the positive correlation between poverty and conflict and parliaments role in poverty reduction. This book argues that parliaments are coming to the fore, more than ever before, as natural forums which are uniquely designed to address contentious issues and tackle poverty in conflict-affected societies, thereby contributing to conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.