Chapter Three: Assessing Linkages Between Diplomatic Peacemaking and Developmental Peacebuilding Efforts

Abstract

The transition from war to peace is fraught with tension and the risk of a return to bloodshed. With so much at stake, it is crucial that the international community and local stakeholders make sense of the complex mosaic of challenges, to support a lasting, inclusive and prosperous peace. Recent missions, such as in Afghanistan, Somalia or Sudan, have highlighted the fact that there can be no one-size-fits-all approach to steering countries away from violence and towards stability.

This Adelphi offers a series of economic perspectives on conflict resolution, showing how the challenges of peacebuilding can be more effectively tackled. From the need to marry diplomatic peacemaking with development efforts, and activate the private sector in the service of peacebuilding aims, to the use of taxes and natural-resource revenues as a financial base for sustainable peace, this issue considers how economic factors can positively shape and drive peace processes. It examines the complex ways in which power and order may be manifested in conflict zones, where unpalatable compromises with local warlords can often be the first step towards a more lasting settlement. In distilling expertise from a range of disciplines, this Adelphi seeks to inform a more economically integrated and responsive approach to helping countries leave behind their troubled pasts and take a fuller role in constructing their futures.

Notes

‘Whole-of-government’ approaches in this context refer to the coordination of policy input across various government departments dealing with fragile or conflict countries, with the aim of increasing cost effectiveness and legitimacy, and strengthening implementation. See Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Whole of Government Approaches to Fragile States (Paris: OECD, 2006), p. 18.

S. Patrick and K. Brown, Greater than the Sum of its Parts: Assessing ‘Whole of Government’ Approaches to Fragile States, Center for Global Development brief, 2007, p. 6, available at http://www.cgdev.org/doc/weakstates/Fragile_States.pdf

L. van der Goor and M. van Beijnum, The Netherlands and its Whole of Government Approaches on Fragile States: Case Study Sudan (The Hague: Clingendael Institute/OECD 2006), p. 39.

UNDG and World Bank, Joint Guidance Note on Integrated Recovery Planning using Post Conflict Needs Assessments and Transitional Results Frameworks (Working Draft, September 2007, p. 3), available at http://www.undg.org/?P=147.

See Stephen John Stedman, ‘Spoiler Problems in Peace Processes', in Paul C. Stern and Daniel Druckman (eds), International Conflict Resolution After the Cold War (Washington DC: National Academies Press, 2000).

The longer version of this paper goes into greater detail for these country case studies and additionally includes analysis of Haiti, Kosovo and South Sudan.

This process culminated in the Berlin Conference of 31 March to 1 April 2004 (which resulted in pledges of $8.2 billion over three years) and the London conference the following year.

See for example, the International Political Institute, A Review of Peace Operations: a Case for Change (London: King's College London, University of London, 2003).

This applies, of course, across the spectrum of governmental actors in these contexts, not just diplomacy and development actors. Cooperation with the military is particularly important to ensure complementarity of thought and action.

See International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding, Dili Declaration: A New Vision for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding, available at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/12/30/44927821.pdf. See also Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 3C Conference Report, (Bern: SDC, 2009).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ashraf Ghani

Ashraf Ghani is Chairman of the Institute for State Effectiveness (ISE)

Clare Lockhart

Clare Lockhart is Director of ISE

Blair Glencorse

Blair Glencorse is an Associate at ISE. This chapter is adapted from a working paper by the same authors entitled: ‘Recent Experiences in Linking Diplomatic Peacemaking with Development Efforts’ written for the OECD-Development Assistance Committee thematic meeting on Diplomacy, Development and Integrated Planning in February 2008. The original paper was generously supported by the Government of Norway and can be downloaded at www.effectivestates.org.