Post-liberal peace theories advocate hybrid forms of security governance, coherence, cooperation. NGOs and military forces represent (aside local communities and political leadership) main actors in complex emergencies. Despite the roles of these inherently difference actors (difference purposes, different aims and organisational cultures), their functions are complementary. Nonetheless, many NGOs are reluctant to cooperate with armed forces/military (which have more or less a political agenda and most of the times, are active parties in a conflict) on grounds of impartiality, neutrality and security. What theory, approach or understanding could help overcome this deadlock? I would be very thankful for your inputs.
Surely, peace-building activities open opportunities for joint work by NGOs and the military. Indeed, the International Committee of the Red Cross identifies for its organization several points of contact with the military where cooperation is conceivable, necessary, and even desired. They concern (i) dialogue with political and military policy makers and decision makers, (ii) operational cooperation with peacekeeping forces, (iii) protection of ICRC equipment and facilities by armed guards, (iv) use of military assets or civil defense resources for humanitarian operations, and (v) training.
To note, the ICRC also takes active part in (i) multilateral and other conferences dealing with the relationship between military and humanitarian action, this to promote its view of crisis management and share its operational experience, and (ii) military training exercises when invited to do so and when such exercises are intended as a vehicle for training in the military management of crises that involve a humanitarian–military relationship. (See Studer, Meinrad. 2001. The ICRC and Civil–Military Relations in Armed Conflict. International Review of the Red Cross, June 2001, Vol. 83, No. 842, pp. 367–391.)
A presentation on Learning for Peace, available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275346096_Learning_for_Peace, may also be of related interest. NGOs, government agencies, and even the military can play a large role in promoting that.
Presentation Learning for Peace
Olivier, thank you so much for your comprehensive inputs. This is very helpful!
If the military itself was neutral (like United Nations Peace Keepers), NGOs would likely be far more willing to cooperate with them. But when the national military behaves as an internal police force, their role is usually to protect the status quo, not disrupt it by developing a more equitable distribution of wealth or power. When the military's role is to protect the status quo, assistance is not directed to those in need, but to those in charge.
@William Sheridan: thank you for your answer! Most of NGOs receive (benchmarked) funding from international donors with own political agendas, so can they be conceived as neutral actors?
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