sector comes more sharply into focus, and it’s propensity to create enabling or
disabling environments for enterprise.
Traditionally in peacebuilding, few roles have been envisaged for the private outside
of corporate social responsibility investments. Recognising the value that the private
sector can add, development institutions are increasingly referencing the private
sector as relevant if not indispensable partners in peacebuilding and conflict resolution
as well as post conflict recovery.296 The AU sees the utility of working with the private
sector as reflected in the AU Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery &
Resilience of the Boko Haram affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region. In this
strategy the AU identifies the private sector as having a role in
vocational training
curricula, providing apprenticeships and work placements, and value-chain
development. The UN too envisages a role not only for CSOs but private sector in post
conflict peacebuilding, particularly in the employment sector and corporate social
responsibility initiatives to reduce the incidence of violence by working with community
members.297
Under the NEPAD African Post Conflict reconstruction Framework, the private sector
is strategic for Africa’s vison for economic development. Not only can the private sector
promote local entrepreneurship and good corporate citizenship, but it can also develop
important public private partnerships. The private sector is an important partner in
creating employment and revitalising struggling economies. Motivated by self-interest
and profit, corporations can engage in peacebuilding activities as a way of creating an
enabling and secure legal and physical environment for business, contributing to the
rule of law.298
A mutually reinforcing relationship exists between the business community and
peacebuilding as successfully businesses require peace and security and can create
a demand for it, and peacebuilding creates enabling conditions for business.299
296 296
Ford J ‘Engaging the private sector in post-conflict recovery: Perspectives for SADPA’ ISS paper 269, 2014
Gatter K ‘How the Private Sector Helped Make Tijuana Safe Again’. 12 November 2015. Available at
https://medium.com/@CIPE/how-the-private-sector-helped-make-tijuana-safe-again-fb86c429a205
297
Peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict - Report of the Secretary-General A/67/499*–S/2012/746* 8 October
2012
298
Gerson, A. 'Peace-building: The Private Sector's Role', The American Journal of International Law, Vol. 95
2001
299
Ford J ‘Engaging the private sector in post-conflict recovery: Perspectives for SADPA’ ISS paper 269, 2014
296
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