Outside actors in fragile developing countries can have a significant impact on the resolution of internal problems. This handbook, by the Conflict Prevention and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Network (CPR Network), aims to foster the design of conflict-sensitive approaches to potentially fragile communities. It will allow development practitioners to define the appropriate choices and entry points for activity. Any action should pay attention to the complexity of relationships and undercurrents that exist in every community.
This handbook is a response to the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s (DAC’s) policy statement on development. The DAC advocated that efforts should be made to ‘mainstream’ conflict-sensitive skills throughout development programmes.
The majority of development programmes have no direct impact on the root causes of conflict. However, it is important to ensure that external engagement is conflict-sensitive so that programmes are designed to work in and not around conflict. DAC studies show that the influence of aid in fragile states is significant – it can worsen community tensions if not undertaken carefully.
The handbook is divided into three parts, each with an identified objective, definition of terms, questions to stimulate debate and an accompanying table:
- Part one consists of Profile Tools enabling users to understand the context in which they are working. Ideally, projects should be based on the priorities of local communities, not well meaning outsiders. Local consultation should take place during the intitial project identification and planning stage.
- Part two consists of Impact Tools to evaluate the effects of engagement, including unintended negative impacts and unforeseen opportunities. OECD/DAC studies have shown that aid of any sort always has a political impact, whether intentional or not. Potential political impact has to become an essential factor of pre-project deliberation.
- Part three provides Decision Tools to consolidate the unintended impacts of a project, and to identify how the project can address the harm or pursue a different approach. There are often constraints to change. It is important to identify both the obstacles and opportunities in order to determine an effective course of action.
While ideally used in a workshop setting, the handbook may also be used as a mission assessment guide or for working alone. However, the quality of analysis and eventual output ultimately depends on the individuals or groups involved, the questions asked, and the inputs and priorities of local actors.
