Conflicts and their impacts are proliferating around the globe. Yet no U.K. political party has addressed this nor made concrete commitments to conflict prevention and peace building ahead of the next general election. Among other things, the United Kingdom must double the proportion of its development aid spent on conflict prevention and resolution from 2% to 4% of the overall aid budget.
The Global Peace Index was published last month and shows, for the ninth consecutive year, a worsening trend toward conflict and instability internationally. Two-thirds of the world’s extreme poor could live in fragile and conflict-affected states by 2030. Yet, while we know that peace-building and conflict prevention initiatives are cost-effective and sustainable, they have been sidelined in recent U.K. foreign, defense, and development policies. Such omission is dangerous.
The immediate effects of conflict are well-known: deaths, injuries, displacement, and hunger. But conflicts have long-lasting impacts on welfare and economic stability that are felt around the world. From the economic shocks created by the war in Ukraine to people risking their lives to seek safety in the U.K., we can no longer afford to ignore these interconnections. Long-term, strategic approaches to build a safer, more peaceful, and stable world from the grassroots up are needed now more than ever.
About the authors
Nic Hailey
Nic Hailey is the executive director of International Alert. Prior to this role, he spent 24 years in the UK Diplomatic Service, most recently as director-general at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, responsible for the merger of the FCO and DFID. He previously served as high commissioner to Kenya, Africa director, and deputy ambassador to Afghanistan. He has been awarded the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.
Elizabeth Nelson
Elizabeth Nelson is the U.K. director for Search for Common Ground, the world's largest dedicated peace-building organization working in over 35 countries to tackle some of the world's most intractable conflicts. Elizabeth previously worked in government, the House of Commons, and the European Parliament and was director at the Restorative Justice Council.
Mark Sheard
Mark Sheard is the chief executive of World Vision UK. World Vision works in over 100 countries, helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. After a successful career in marketing, Mark was appointed to the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England in 2017 and is chair of the Mission and Public Affairs Council.
