ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how partnerships between businesses, government and civil society can help deliver social investments in conflict areas or can transform the conflict and improve the social investment climate. It looks at whether and how partnerships can contribute to conflict transformation by removing inequities in revenue distribution to promote good governance and by building social capital and trust among potentially conflicting parties to resolve the underlying causes of conflict. The chapter also considers the appropriateness of the partnership approach in undertaking social and community investment, securing human rights and delivering humanitarian assistance in conflict situations. The coincidence between non-renewable natural resources and internal conflicts poses practical and ethical challenges for natural resource companies. Broadly speaking, partnerships have a potential role to play at all stages—in preventing violent conflict, in resolving ongoing conflict and in promoting reconstruction and reconciliation after the conflict is over.
