Positive Business Engagement in Complex Environments

Fragile and conflict-affected environments are often marked by a failing economy, fractured society, deteriorating security, and political instability. Despite challenging operational environments, what if companies could cultivate the conditions that enhance sustainable peace and inclusive development through their core business models? While companies cannot substitute the need for strong institutions and fundamental reforms of governance structures, there is growing recognition that businesses can shape the conditions that determine whether instability will evolve into a durable peace or collapse into armed conflict. Stakeholders, including the business and investment communities, consumers, policymakers, and donor agencies, assert that companies, regardless of size, sector, and composition, can contribute economic value in a way that also creates value for the communities in which they are engaged. More specifically, by pursuing conflict-sensitive and positive business practices, companies impact the workplace, labor market, and marketplace to develop fair, inclusive, and peaceful societies while addressing the root causes of conflict, including structural inequalities.