ABSTRACT
One of the major challenges that the United Nations faces today lies in its global task of preventing conflicts and restoring peace through resolution of the causes leading to violent conflict. Though conflicts tend to reverse development, in many ways, lack of development itself constitutes a powerful source of grievance fuelled by a combustible mix of poverty, inequality, marginalization and exclusion that often precipitate into violent conflagrations. Recognizing the causal interrelatedness between peace and development, the United Nations has taken several steps in resolving conflicts, rehabilitating conflict-affected countries and assisting them in rebuilding their economies and restoring them on the development path. In cooperation with other departments, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has also undertaken several policy initiatives and actions to address the nexus between peace and development. DESA strength particularly encompasses activities in peace-building and post-conflict rehabilitation through policy analysis and development, capacity building, advocacy and information sharing, including on best practices.
