Author: juliapalmiano

As promised, here is a post to sort out what each person can bring to the SDS for our last class on November 30. It’s hard to believe that it’s ending so soon!

Please comment below and indicate what you want to bring so we don’t end up with 15 kinds of dip. 🙂

(just a note that there is a microwave in the global lounge but no oven)

I haven’t decided what I want to bring yet so I’ll comment soon!

Theme: Health and Development in Post-Conflict Countries

Case Study Country: Cambodia

Readings:

1. Lanjouw et al.

This reading gives an on-the-ground description of the obstacles and challenges of addressing health and development while simultaneously attempting to legitimize a transitional government system. Please read for the theories and assertions made about coordination and where the health sector in a post-conflict society fits into overall approaches to reconstruction and rehabilitaiton.

2. Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Aside from having quite the interesting name, the former Secretary-General of the UN’s term was plagued with international crises, from the Bosnian wars, to Somalia and then to Rwanda. This article reveals that at the time of post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Cambodia such as UNTAC etc, the intl campaign to ban landmines was only in its infancy. It is interesting to see the how his backing of the need to address the landmines was one of the first steps in the path towards the Mine Ban Treaty. This article is dated but gives an important initial overview and reasons for attempts to ban them for those who may not be too familiar with the landmines issue.

3. Update: Please watch this video and read this news article before class. It is an individual’s account of the  landmines situation in Cambodia and gives you a glimpse of the legacy these weapons had on the country and its psyche.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/29/cnnheroes.cambodia.demining/index.html

If you want up to date information about them and the  Mine Ban Treay, please visit the International Campaign to Ban Landmines at www.icbl.org and see Amber’s links on the post below.

Discussion Questions to follow

A & J

Paul Collier et al.

Read through the article as best you can without getting bogged down with the statistical and economic references. However, please try to observe his methodology for quantifying patterns in post-conflict recovery and focus on the research findings.

Q’s

• Collier argues that the end of a war creates a temporary phase in which aid is particularly effective. Do you think post conflict societies are an exception to arguments against the ineffectiveness official development assistance (ODA)?
• What is the role or place of foreign aid in the context of the countries we have looked at so far? How does it actually contribute to post-conflict reconstruction?

Anna Ohanyan

Ohanyan gives us a detailed, inside look into the complexities and realities of “transnational administrations” and network creation. Take note of the policy implications and her conclusions.

Q’s

• “The conflict-ridden nature of transnational networks illustrates their ad hoc development.” Will there ever be a way to transcend these conflicts given the unstable nature of post-conflict societies?
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of microcredit initiatives vs. ODA policies in Bosnia and other post-conflict societies.

Hello gang,

Here is the link to an excellent report by the Intl Crisis Group done this past Sept that summarizes the recent developments on the federation’s administrative qualms. It’s really interesting because many of the obstacles to post-conflict reconstruction that Marcus Cox argued in his article still remain today. The administrative functional problems, the decentralised constitution, and most importantly, the lack of strong institutions. These problems that they faced 5 years ago still exist today. Coupled with economic distress, ICG posits that worsening relationships between Bosniak, Croat, and Serb leaders could “turn public satisfaction into ethnic tensions and violence.”

Take a look see:

http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/balkans/bosnia-herzegovina/209-federation-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina-a-parallel-crisis.aspx

Paper Proposal Guidelines – Point form, Given a PASS/FAIL grade by completion

• Country and Theme addressed
• Description/Justification of argument (thesis)
• Approach/Outline of body paragraphs
• Initial References and Resources (at least 2 academic articles, news articles, books, interviews, etc.)

Hey everyone!

I’m posting this on behalf of Martina, who’s access into the blog is acting all wonky right now. This is a really cool link to an international NGO that focuses on cross-border peacemaking.

http://www.c-r.org/index.php

Cheers,

Julia

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/europe/04iht-bosnia.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Hi everyone,

I have never seen a VIFF (Vancouver International Film Festival) film before and  wanted to make sure I saw one this year – and I found one on post-conflict Rwanda!

I definitely want to see it, and am extending an invitation to y’all if you want to come with…we would only be able to make the Friday, October 8 show at 8:45pm at Empire Granville…check it out at http://www.viff.org/tixSYS/2010/filmguide/Title/RR

It’s a bit shorter so it will be screened with another film.

Let me know next week if you’re down!

Jules

Hello everyone!

This is a friendly reminder that we will be choosing presentation dates next class, so please look through the syllabus and think of which country you would like to present on. Also, since the number of presentation dates are limited, please come with a second choice as well just in case.

See you on Tuesday!

Amber and Julia