Crisis Prevention and Recovery

BCPR Works with Governments and Civil Society on Post-Conflict Economic Recovery

Seventy participants from 13 countries in the Africa and Arab States regions attended a two-day workshop on “Strengthening Programming for Post-Conflict Economic Recovery” in Bujumbura, Burundi on 7-8 October 2009. Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation were also present for this workshop, organized by UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. Each country was represented by a senior UNDP country office staff member; a government figure from a key line ministry (e.g., finance, health, education); and a representative of one non-state actor (e.g., NGO, private sector company, academic institution).

The workshop discussions were informed by the findings and recommendations of UNDP’s Post-Conflict Economic Recovery Report, as well as the recently adopted UN Policy for Post-Conflict Employment Creation, Income Generation and Reintegration. The workshop informed the design and implementation of effective programmes for post-conflict economic recovery through knowledge sharing and constructive dialogue with country offices, government representatives, non-state actors and development partners. Broad agreement was reached in the following three areas:

• Strengthened support for the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of economic recovery programmes that reinforce the overall objective of peacebuilding. The design and implementation of polices for economic recovery is not conflict-neutral. To this end, recommendations were made to align post-conflict economic recovery with the broad objective of peacebuilding. This involves applying a conflict lens to economic recovery strategies and promoting comprehensive and integrated approaches to economic recovery including job creation. Specifically, it was suggested that UNDP should build on its strategic strength to design and implement programmes aimed at consolidating peace through economic recovery at the grassroots level, working closely with local civil society and communities.
  
  
• Strengthening the economic recovery dimension of post-conflict needs assessments (PCNAs). Participants noted the urgent need to reflect the institutional, human and financial resources required for economic recovery in PCNAs. They acknowledged the importance of prioritizing the needs identified in PCNAs to ensure that urgent needs are adequately financed and effectively delivered.
  
  
• Facilitation of knowledge sharing. Participants called for mechanisms to facilitate sharing of best practices, with special emphasis on south-south cooperation, to support the design and implementation of programmes for post-conflict economic recovery. To this end, the ILO/UNDP-hosted resource and technical platform provides one opportunity for knowledge sharing on country experiences in employment creation, income generation and reintegration.