Welcome to the United Nations
Social Development as Key to Inclusive Peace
Preparing for Doha
In preparation for the Second World Summit for Social Development, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) launched a global consultation to gather perspectives on peace and social development, particularly from youth and students. Conducted in partnership with the Warwick Interdisciplinary Research Centre for International Development and the Warwick Society and Culture Interdisciplinary Research Spotlight, the initiative included an online survey and an interactive workshop held during the 2024 Geneva Peace Week.
Respondents described peace not simply as the absence of violence but as inclusive representation, functional institutions, and equal access to opportunity, especially for youth and women. The findings underscored a clear message: peace and social development are deeply interconnected, each reinforcing the other in advancing social justice, equality, and well-being.
Socio-Economic Peace: Linking Social Development and Peace
UNRISD’s working paper, “Inclusive Peace for Social Development: Priority Areas for The Second World Summit for Social Development”, argues that social justice and equity are prerequisites for peace and that sustainable development cannot be achieved in the absence of security and inclusion. The concept of “socio-economic peace” calls for addressing structural inequalities, expanding decent work, and ensuring democratic participation as pathways to stability.
Drawing from global examples, the paper highlights how exclusion and unequal access to resources perpetuate conflict, while inclusive policies foster cohesion. Peace and development are presented as co-constitutive goals, reinforcing each other toward a fair and resilient society.
Education as a Foundation for Inclusive Peace
Education is positioned as a cornerstone of both social development and peacebuilding. While access to education has expanded, structural barriers such as poverty, gender inequality, and care responsibilities continue to limit inclusion.
Case studies from Honduras and Malawi show how these intersecting inequalities prevent young people, particularly women and girls, from realizing education’s full potential. The paper calls for intersectional and cross-sectoral approaches that link education with employment, gender equality, and social protection to advance peace through opportunity.
Women’s Inclusion and Local Peacebuilding
Women’s participation is vital for lasting peace and social progress. Across Kampala, Nigeria, and Brazil, women are leading efforts that connect peacebuilding with community development. In Kampala, young women are addressing insecurity and exclusion through civic engagement and entrepreneurship, while in Nigeria, women-led networks mediate conflicts and strengthen local cohesion.
The Cidade Mulher initiative in Brazil shows how feminist and locally driven action can make cities safer and more inclusive. These examples demonstrate that when women are empowered to lead, they become key architects of peace and social development.
Looking Forward to the Second World Summit for Social Development
As the Second World Social Summit approaches, the paper calls for a renewed understanding of peace as social development and social development as peace. It identifies five priority actions for the Summit:
- An expansive understanding of peace that values inclusion, equality, and well-being at all levels.
- Partnerships across sectors and regions to foster people-centred solutions.
- Open civic space to enable dialogue and accountability.
- An agenda of care that recognizes unpaid and underpaid work.
- Investment in social development as a driver of lasting peace and prosperity.
Together, these insights reaffirm that building peaceful societies requires tackling inequality, empowering communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind — a vision at the heart of the Summit.
Read the full report by UNRISD here.
