Introduction

How do we measure peace? It is more than just the absence of violence and/or freedom from the fear of violence. Peace is a process. Peaceful societies are ones where there is social cohesion and inclusion; where there is full participation and where social systems serve the whole of the population. Social cohesion includes both vertical and horizontal elements. Vertical cohesion refers to the interface between caregivers and their children; as well as between governmental institutions and their citizens. Horizontal cohesion, in contrast refers the interconnections and networks within diverse local community groups and families.

Toolkit for measuring early child development in low and middle-income countries

Also of note, in December 2017, the Strategic Impact Evaluation Fund of the World Bank Group launched the Toolkit for Measuring Early Child Development in Low and Middle Income Countries. This is a useful toolkit that reviews 147 instruments and provides guidelines on choosing, administering, and interpreting instruments for children 0-8 years of age. It also includes an interactive measurement guide. However, its coverage of many domains relevant to peacebuilding and social cohesion within the family is limited.

1. UNICEF. (2016). Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy in Conflict-affected Contexts Program. UNICEF Program Report 2012-2016. 
2. UNICEF. (2014). Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy in Conflict-affected Contexts Program Compilation of Tools for Measuring Social Cohesion, Resilience, and Peacebuilding.