There has been a surge in ethnic conflicts in recent decades, coinciding with a rise in foreign development aid targeted at post-conflict reconstruction in the affected states. While extant...Show moreThere has been a surge in ethnic conflicts in recent decades, coinciding with a rise in foreign development aid targeted at post-conflict reconstruction in the affected states. While extant literature highlights contradictions in the desired outcomes of foreign aid in recipient states, fewer studies address these outcomes in post-ethnic conflict contexts. This project addresses this gap, focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and argues that foreign development aid plays a crucial role in sustaining peace through its capacity to bolster democracy and stimulate economic growth, thereby mitigating ethnic tensions and fostering cooperation. Since the end of the Bosnian War in 1995, the three ethnic factions continue to co-exist within BiH, and the country is today on the path to European Union membership, making it an interesting case to study regarding the evaluation of foreign development aid’s contributions in sustaining the peace there. However, the findings of this study yield ambiguous results, shedding light on the complexities of aid's impact in such contexts. While foreign development aid has prevented another war, ethnic and political tensions still linger. The broader implications of this study inform the future of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and foreign development aid implementation strategies.Show less
Media has often been neglected as a potential asset for peacebuilding due to certain framing tendencies which are deemed to promote polarization and conflict, namely partiality, sensationalism and...Show moreMedia has often been neglected as a potential asset for peacebuilding due to certain framing tendencies which are deemed to promote polarization and conflict, namely partiality, sensationalism and simplification. Combining framing and reconciliation theories, this thesis explores whether this is indeed the case for Colombia’s reconciliation process following their 50-year long civil war. This qualitative content analysis demonstrates the capability of mainstream media to act as a friend for peace, choosing to employ the abovementioned techniques in manners that actually promote truth-telling, rule of law, and the development of mutual understanding and respect. A sole major pitfall is identified in the newspapers’ reporting approach, as they often overlook the importance of relating current developments to the root causes of the conflict. The consequent limitation of their truth-telling function produces spill-overs to other reconciliation aspects, thereby partially restricting the otherwise positive impact of media. Overall, this thesis challenges conventional narratives depicting media framing tendencies as inherently negative, and therefore opens up new possibilities for peacebuilders, transitional justice institutions, governments and the population to regard media as an ally to peace.Show less
This thesis touches upon the changes in the cultivation of narcotics during the peacebuilding processes in Myanmar and Colombia. It concludes that the cultivation of narcotics has increased during...Show moreThis thesis touches upon the changes in the cultivation of narcotics during the peacebuilding processes in Myanmar and Colombia. It concludes that the cultivation of narcotics has increased during the peacebuilding process in both case-studies and gives preliminary explanations for this observation.Show less
