The management of disputes and conflict in society is one of the primary
and enduring responsibilities of all governments and, therefore, one
of the pre-eminent areas in which the UN can serve its Member States.
One aspect of the increasing United Nations system-wide priority given
to conflict prevention and management is the strengthening of the governance
capacities of States to manage and regulate conflicts in constructive
and non-violent ways. As such, several capacity-building projects are
being undertaken to impart awareness and skills to government officials
and their civil society counterparts, to assist them to anticipate and
respond to crises, to work effectively in conflict-prone environments
and to increase their ability to defuse tension and address the inequalities
that may lead to violence. The projects involve strengthening governance
institutions, enhancing mechanisms for participation, supporting the
development of mediation facilities and other forms of alternative dispute
resolution, and providing skills training to enrich national development
policy and practice with conflict resolution principles, tools and techniques
so as to better harness development as a vehicle for sustainable peace.
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