Beyond aid: addressing conflict and building peace

Submission to the International Development Committee inquiry on the future UK approach to development

This submission to the UK International Development Committee inquiry on the future UK approach to development focuses on the relationship between conflict and development, identified by the Committee as a key area in the UK’s future approach to development. While recognising that addressing conflict and fragility is a current UK development priority, this submission expands on what a future development framework with a focus on peace might mean for UK aid and non-aid policy across departments. Saferworld would emphasise the unique and valuable expertise contained within an independent and legally mandated international development agency for addressing these issues, which should be used to inform a progressive vision for the UK’s role in the world. There is significant value in continuing to build on the UK’s development expertise and influence, while avoiding the risk that this work might be instrumentalised towards other aims that may be counter-productive to a longer-term approach to peace.

“It is in the interests of the UK to promote a more stable and peaceful world, and DFID is crucial for implementing this vision in practice.”