Peacebuilding and Social Inclusion

Our approach

The World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995 defined an inclusive society as “a society for all’, in which every individual, each with rights and responsibilities, has an active role to play (United Nations, 1995, para 66).

Such an inclusive society is equipped with mechanisms which accommodate diversity, and facilitate/enable people’s active participation in their political, economic and social lives. As such, it over-rides differences of race, gender, class, generation, and geography, and ensures equal opportunities for all to achieve full potential in life, regardless of origin. Such a society fosters, at the same time, emanates from well-being of each individual, mutual trust, sense of belonging and inter-connectedness. 

When confronted with new challenges, such as external economic shocks, unexpected changes, national disaster or crisis, an inclusive society is one that shows more resilience than others. Creating such a stable, safe and just society is a slow and tedious process. However, we believe that it is the best way to lay a ground to prevent social conflict and build sustainable peace. 

Our mandates

As mandated by Geneva 2000, the Social Integration Branch elaborates conceptual frameworks for Inclusive Peace-building based on the concepts and principles of social integration promulgated by the World Summit for Social Development (WSSD).

Our activities

The Division for Social Policy and Development facilitates a space for various stakeholders to interact, exchange views, bring different perspectives, and promote mutual understanding and learning, in order to create a common platform for creating an inclusive society.

Our partners include: UN Departments and Agencies, specialized agencies, national and local governments, researchers and academia, practitioners, and the civil society, including the private sector, international and local NGOs, youth organizations, other social groups, various networks, and ordinary citizens.

Expert Group meeting

• Dialogue in the Social Integration Process: Building peaceful social relations – by, for and with people (New York, November 2005)
• Participation of Youth as Partners in Peace and Development in Post-Conflict Countries (Windhoek, November 2006)
• Creating an Inclusive Society: Practical strategies to promote social integration (Paris, September 2007)
• Promoting Social Integration (Helsinki, July 2008)

E-dialogue

• Dialogue in the Social Integration Process: Building peaceful social relationship by, for and with people (June 2005)
• Creating an Inclusive Society: Practical Strategies to promote social integration (May – June 2007)

Publications

• Participatory Dialogue: Towards a Stable, Safe and Just Society for All” (UN publication 2007)
• Creating an Inclusive Society (to be published in January 2008)

Thematic Issues

Social Integration

Social Inclusion

Social Cohesion

Social Exclusion

Social Capital

Social Mobility

Multi-stakeholder dialogue

Measuring social inclusion

Youth 

Older persons

Indigenous peoples

People with disabilities

Links

- DESA Task Force
- Peacebuilding Commission
- UNDP/BCPR
- UNESCO
- UNHABITAT
- OSAA
- Peacebuilding Portal
- Peacebuilding Support Office