Description
Much of the rhetoric around peacebuilding missions and strategies neatly separates the 'local' from the 'international'. They are conceived as separate spaces with different sets of actors. 'International' peacebuilding typically refers to official, Track I negotiations led by international organisations, most notably the United Nations. In contrast, 'local' peacebuilding is the domain of indigenous and grassroots organisations that facilitate informal, Track II initiatives designed to support official negotiations. However, when looking more specifically at peacebuilding efforts and actors, it becomes clear that the 'local' and 'international' are, in practice, much more interlinked and overlapping than we might initially assume. So-called 'local' organisations are often funded by international donors and conform to the needs and interests of 'international' organisations. Conversely, 'international' organisations, especially those operating in 'frozen' conflicts, increasingly assume unofficial, Track II responsibilities that we typically associate with 'local' actors. By focusing on the Cypriot conflict, I thereby demonstrate how there is a great deal of hybridity between the 'local' and 'international' spheres. We should be cautious in using these terms as distinct analytical concepts and allow for greater interrelation. There is otherwise a danger that we reinforce a structure of power and hierarchy that doesn't reflect empirical nuances and complexities.
