Community Development Enterprise : A Vehicle for Conflict Resolution

The post Cold War period saw the emergence of armed conflicts, the transformation of the concept of international security and the deepening of economic inequality and social exclusion. The global community has been reformed through an international convergence of agendas on topics such as peace, security and development. Focus has been placed on individuals and communities with the evolution of concepts such as human security, a HRBA to development and the "responsibility to protect" norm. Evidence of such global phenomena can be identified through the observation of conflict trends in recent years. After nearly two decades of decline, the numbers of conflict have begun to increase. Research shows that in 2012, a total of 396 conflicts were counted, marking a significant rise from 2011. Among these conflicts were 18 wars and 25 limited wars, indicating that there were 43 highly violent conflicts. Another 165 conflicts were classified as violent crises. So in 2012, a total of 208 conflicts out of 396 conflicts in total were conducted with the use of violence. Conflicts are generally solved by forceful intervention or by diplomatic mediation between the respective parties. Historically most major conflicts have been resolved using forceful intervention. However, this is not a sustainable or durable solution because the underlying cause of the conflict is not addressed and the people most affected by the conflict are not prioritized. For sustainable peace to be achieved the core of the conflict needs to be resolved. The core of most conflicts is often connected to the issues that catalysed the conflict (economic, ideology, etc.) and then exacerbated by the needs of the people affected by the conflict not being met. Empowering the individual should be the focal point for conflict resolution projects in order to make sustainable outcomes possible. The Community Development Enterprise (CDE) concept hopes to provide a vehicle for the sustainable resolution of conflict