Perspectives on Peace: An Examination of Post-Conflict Societies

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

Boutros Boutros-Ghali – The Landmine Crisis: A Humanitarian Disaster

How has the landmine crisis had an impact on the case study countries we have studied? How does this hinder the country’s rehabilitation process? What can be done to help solve this crisis? How should/can the landmine situation be prioritized?

Steven Lanjouw et al. – Rehabilitating Health Services in Cambodia

In what ways was UNTAC successful and/or unsuccessful in Cambodia?  How can this type of transitional government be applied to other post-conflict societies?

How did the IOs, NGOs, and other key players in post-conflict Cambodia coordinate or fail to coordinate in addressing the nation’s health concerns? Are issues of health generally underfunded in post-conflict regions while most of the aid is distributed towards other areas such as infrastructure rehabilitation?

Here’s a link to the Canadian Landmine Foundation.  They have general information about the issue of landmines.

http://www.canadianlandmine.org/landmineProb.cfm

Here’s a UNICEF link as well:

http://www.unicef.org/emerg/index_32029.html

I have been trying to find some updated news that is happening in Uganda. This article is dated November 11, 2010. Apparently things remain the same out there.

In another article……..I did read that the LRA appear to be re-grouping in Darfur and may possibly stir up some trouble for the independence referendum for south Sudan in Ferbruary. It appears al-Bashir is supporting them for this cause.

http://www.economist.com/node/17472814?story_id=17472814&fsrc=rss

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.

Hi guys,

The OLN show Departures just went to Rwanda and this episode is amazing! They actually attend a local trial for individuals convicted of crimes during the genocide and are able to capture a really genuine account of the atmosphere there. Also, they show various community based house building and art projects aimed at generating revenue. This just aired on tv today, so it should be available on the oln.ca website within the next few weeks…keep an eye out for it, really worth watching!

Bre

Hi guys! If you’d like to see a movie about Bosnia a really good one is Grbavica. You can find it in Rogers or most other movie stores. The movie shows how hard it is for children to deal with the consequences of war. Another good one, although its about the war itself not the post-war period, is No Man’s Land (it won an Oscar in 2001).

I read this while doing some research. I have to decide what Canada’s role should be with regards to Uganda. I explain that we could either send in a peacekeeping troop to fight Kony or we could act as the middle power and use our influence diplomatically. This article seems to suggest that the military support of the US is in fact prolonging the conflict.

Any comments?  I would like to know what anyone thinks we, as a country, should do for Uganda.

Furthermore, does anyone know how I can access how much money Canada provides in aid assistance? The CIDA website explains they give 19.99 million…..but I know it is not the only forum of donation.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-brookland/us-tacitly-condones-ugand_b_572316.html

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