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Policy Options

Papers that analyze the trade and aid policy options available to the international community to reduce the risk of conflict in the developing world.

• Aiding, Trading or Abetting?
  The future of Trade, Aid and Security–6 key objectives
  IISD and IUCN have produced a series of policy briefs that outline six key objectives that the international community should strive to achieve if trade and aid policy is to support peace and security rather than increasing the likelihood and longevity of violent conflict.
  
  Those objectives are: developing conflict-sensitive trade and aid policies; restricting the trade in conflict resources; promoting 'good' governance and conflict-sensitive business practice; and improving the management of revenues from natural resources and aid. The briefs (i) explain why each objective is critical to security between and within states; (ii) assess current initiatives that attempt to realize that objective; and (iii) make recommendations for future action.

• Minerals and Conflict: A Toolkit for Programming (PDF - 934 kb) » Moira Fell and Jason Switzer, 2004 This toolkit for development agency practitioners on the management of mineral wealth and its links to conflict is part of a series commissioned by USAID exploring how development assistance can address key natural resource-related risk factors. The minerals toolkit paper: 1) examines the relationship between valuable minerals, such as diamonds or coltan, and violence; 2) discusses lessons learned in aid programs to deal with "conflict commodities"; 3) presents a range of program options; 4) provides a survey instrument that identifies key questions related to minerals and conflict; and 5) identifies relevant USAID mechanisms and implementing partners.

• Enabling Corporate Investment in Peace: An Assessment of Voluntary Initiatives Addressing Business and Violent Conflict, and a Framework for Policy Decision-making (PDF - 410 kb) » Jason Switzer and Halina Ward, 2004 This report was commissioned by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to review the provisions of voluntary codes, guidelines and initiatives that address the relationship between business activities and violent civil conflict. It also includes suggestions on a framework through which public policy-makers can enable more-responsible investment, and strengthen the legitimacy and comprehensiveness of these voluntary norms.

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