Constitution-building refers to processes for negotiating, drafting and implementing constitutions.

Many constitutions are framed following conflict. Increased intervention of the international community in the resolution of civil and intra-state conflicts has led in many cases to external actors extending their roles into constitution building. External intervention in constitution building presents challenges and pressures on these exercises of sovereignty.

This Policy Paper contributes to an ongoing dialogue among practitioners and aims to present a policy perspective that calls for restrained and value-adding external support in constitution building.

It was produced as part of the International IDEA Constitution-Building Processes Programme’s Policy Series, and is based on a presentation at a round table on international partnerships for constitution building, which took place in Stockholm on 8–9 April 2010.