Challenges to Post-War Development in Asia and Africa
ack of inags in opects, pars to those nd level, a surges rojects, it ts low-inither innsated as bove. be a modould pervaluating with redelivery. Thus, proper planning, transparent policies and honest evaluation seem key in both economic development and human centered approaches towards development. Cross-cutting initiatives that could provide vocational training, for these industries some of which could translate within many industries in the pipeline could also be a starting point for Sri Lanka. As the Sri Lankan public claim of livelihood loss such approaches may soften the blow of having to migrate from one lifestyle to another. While many speculate of having to choose either the development or the people, this could not be further from the truth,” LST said.
Countries recuperating from conflict situations face both unique and common challenges that require a shift from narrow conceptions of development to those that cover multiple dimensions. Reflecting on and learning from the development experiences and stategies of countries in Asia and Africa, regions that have experienced some of the worst conflicts in recent years, is a good starting point to re-imagine the contours of post-war development.
This is the impetus behind the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) dedicating its 2014 Annual Symposium to the theme 'Post-War Development in Asia and Africa.' Organised in collaboration with the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) the symposium, to be held from 13 September, is an opportunity for scholars, researchers, activists, policy makers and other experts from Sri Lanka and abroad to debate and reflect critically on experiences of post-war development. In examining the histories and current reali- ties of Asia and Africa, it is apparent that one- size-fits-all approaches to post-war development, risk ignoring numerous other political, economic and social factors that impinge on, shape or undermine just and stable transitions. In both regions, conflict has often exacerbated painful legacies of colonialism, uneven economic development, ethnic nationalisms, challenges of social inclusion, the lack of social cohesion, and weak governance. Massive internal displacement and mass violations of human rights add to existing barriers to justice and equality.
If the overarching goal of development is to foster political, economic and social justice along with social stability, then several concerns with respect to currently dominant strategies need to be addressed. For instance, economic growth is often touted as the key to challenges of post-war development. However, as Amartya Sen argues in "Development as Capability Expansion", far from being an end in itself, economic growth is valuable within a larger framework of policies that help people regain and sustain their agen- cy in pursuing their conception of a good life. Additionally, economic growth alone is not enough to address the root causes or complex consequences of war, such as psychosocial trauma, which further inhibits the envisioning and pursuit of a good life.
What is required is an understanding of the complex contexts within which people find themselves both before and after war and conflict, a fact that is especially pertinent for vulnerable populations. For instance, a conflict may result in women being forced into new roles, while still experiencing pre-existing gender inequalities and stereotypes. Often, the head-ofhousehold concept disproportionately favours men, especially regarding land rights and entitlements, and thus women in this position must attempt to provide for their families even while their agency is restricted through landlessness, stigmatisation, or political exclusion. With this in mind, new development initiatives must discover ways in which to address the unique circumstances faced by vulnerable populations in pre-and post-war/conflict situations.
A proper analysis of context is also necessary for addressing issues not readily dealt with by standard development interventions. Latent animosities and distrust between communities, as well as the destruction of social norms and networks, may reduce social capital and set the stage for further conflict. An important consideration is to what extent education, consciousness-raising and inclusive citizenship could be used as tools to foster social cohesion and usher societies towards a sustainable and just peace. Additionally, weak governance and low levels of state legitimacy will have a detrimental effect on distributive justice, political inclusion and human rights.
Post-war development initiatives need to combine bottom-up and community-led as well as state-led approaches to address the gamut of challenges. The former is central to empowerment but so are robust institutional frameworks that can deliver effectively. However, an over-emphasis upon state-led approaches and institutions will fail in the absence of legitimacy or confidence on the part of the population in these institutions.
All of these concerns, irrespective of whether they existed pre-war or manifest themselves post-war, impact the ability of citizens to rebuild their lives and achieve a just and sustainable peace. Addressing them requires, among other things, politically informed analysis and rigorous evidencebased research around key questions.
The CEPA Symposium of 2014 seeks to consolidate research and insights from a range of different contexts and policy areas to develop a better understanding of how to build a complex and multi-layered post-war development agenda. One that can accommodate the goals of economic development as well as socio-political empowerment and reflect the complex linkages that exist between development pathways and policy choices and the political, social, and economic dimensions of war and conflict.