Greater emphasis on peacebuilding in development policy

Today Ms Hilde F. Johnson, Minister of International Development, is launching a strategic framework for what development policy can do to promote peace.

“Violent conflicts generate and aggravate poverty. If Norway is to fight poverty effectively, the Norwegian authorities must also contribute to peace. This means that we must ensure that our development assistance serves to build peace and not to do the opposite. We must do what we can to prevent war and support negotiation processes and post-conflict reconstruction,” said the Minister.

This strategic framework, “Peacebuilding – a Development Perspective”, is based on the experience and knowledge gained from peace efforts and development co-operation, and is a tool for targeting and intensifying peace efforts in countries threatened by, undergoing or emerging from conflict.

The strategic framework will be presented at a seminar entitled “Making a Difference – Practical and Ethical Approaches to Poverty and Conflict”, which is being held today in the Georg Sverdrup building, University of Oslo. The seminar has been organised by the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo (PRIO) and the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM), in co-operation with the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess’s Humanitarian Fund.

Press contact: Head of Information Espen Gullikstad, tel: 91 70 81 22