WE

 

as signatories and observers to this statement launching the Common Effort Community, coming from government, civil society, the military and private sector in Germany and the Netherlands as well as others interested from within the UN and other countries

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are convinced that it is our common concern to contribute to a safe and secure world in which men and women live with dignity enjoying their universal human rights

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are aware that conflicts and fragility generally result from a complicated interplay of diverse, but often interrelated factors, such as economic (lack of jobs and income), political, social, cultural and religious aspects. Recent history shows that this interplay can easily lead to a lack of identity amongst youth, poor basic services, weak state structures, unable or unwilling governments, which eventually can generate fundamentalism and extremism

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conclude that sustainable solutions for fragility and conflict can only be achieved with a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach, comprising a wide range of governmental and non-governmental actors, internationally as well as in the country at stake; and that the UN, the international civil society and the international military organisations that work in the field of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, development and peace building should interact in an effective manner, while respecting each other’s mandate, in order to address the multiple dimensions of fragility and conflict

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intend to build and expand relevant networks to combine and coordinate efforts, expertise or experience;  to train, learn and share knowledge and experiences to improve our understanding of fragility and conflict, including also local security dynamics and perceptions of civilians in conflict areas, which will also enhance our strategies in the field of Protection of Civilians;  to develop and evaluate our concepts and approaches by formulating and implementing yearly Action Plans that translate this Statement into concrete joint actions, wherever needed and whenever possible within the capacities and mandates of each and every signatory;  to promote public and political support in Germany, The Netherlands as well as in other countries and with international forums like NATO, EU and the UN for the Integrated (comprehensive) Approach.