3 e
DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE u s s I , 6 e m u l
PAKISTAN o V
The Peace-Development Nexus
MAN RIGHT ANGE & FOO HU S CH D S E EC T U A R IM IT L Y C DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE PAKISTAN © UNDP Pakistan
Development Advocate Pakistan provides a platform for the exchange of ideas on key development issues DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE and challenges in Pakistan. Focusing on a specific development theme in each edition, this quarterly publication fosters public discourse and presents varying perspectives from civil society, academia, PAKISTAN government and development partners. The publication makes an explicit effort to include the voices of women and youth in the ongoing discourse. A combination of analysis and public opinion articles Disclaimer promote and inform debate on development ideas The views expressed here by external contributors or the members of the while presenting up-to-date information. editorial board do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Editorial Board organizations they work for and that of UNDP’s.
Mr. Ignacio Artaza Resident Representative a.i., UNDP Pakistan Editorial Team Maheen Hassan Mr. Hamid Raza Afridi Umer Akhlaq Malik Policy Advisor Embassy of Switzerland Design Hasnat Ahmed Mr. Shakeel Ahmad Assistant Resident Representative/Chief Printed by: Development Policy Unit, UNDP Pakistan Gul Awan Printers, Islamabad Mr. Aadil Mansoor Assistant Resident Representative/Chief United Nations Development Programme Pakistan Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, UNDP Pakistan 4th Floor, Serena Business Complex, Khayaban-e-Suharwardy, Sector G-5/1, Mr. Kaiser Ishaque P. O. Box 1051, Assistant Resident Representative/Chief Islamabad, Pakistan Democratic Governance Unit, UNDP Pakistan
Mr. Amanullah Khan Assistant Resident Representative/Chief For contributions and feedback, please write to us at: Environment and Climate Change Unit, UNDP [email protected] Pakistan
Ms. Ayesha Babar ISBN: 978-969-8736-28-9 Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan September 2019 CONTENTS
Analysis Interviews
02 Peace and Sustainable Development 15 Ashraf Jehangir Qazi Former Pakistan's Ambassador/High Commissioner to Syria, East Germany, the USSR/Russian Federation, China, India, and the United States Former Special Representative of the UNSG Former UN Head of Mission in Iraq and Sudan Opinion 17 Lt. General (Retd.) Talat Masood Political Commentator
Freedom of Expression, 08 Peace and Development Dr. Ashfaque Hasan Khan I. A. Rehman 18 Principal and Dean School of Social Sciences and Humanities Conflict Sensitivity in National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) 10 Development Cooperation Huma Haider
Peace and 13 Sustainable Development Dr. Zahid Shahab Ahmed Youth Voices
19 Sunnya Ashfaq Shehryar Hassan Zara Raheem 20 Fatima Shozib Adil Faqqi Hiba Hassan
/undppakistan
w us www.twitter.com/undp_pakistan Saleem Mandviwalla
ollo www wwwPr.pkovincial.undp nominee.org for NFC - Sindh F © UNDP Pakistan Editorial Peace and Development: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Peace is a key component for achieving sustainable development. A outlets and mechanisms for co-operation. In short, by providing peaceful society provides a healthy socio-economic environment for non-violent means to work together and to address contentious businesses and people to ourish, leading to sustainable develop- issues, they can demonstrate alternatives to con ict. ment. However, if development is concentrated in certain areas amongst a few people, it then creates resentments leading to However, which strategy should come rst is debatable and varies in con icts thereby disrupting peace in the society. Peace and different situations. For instance, whether State or development development, thus, share a mutually reinforcing relationship; while partners need to just focus on restoring peace through equitable peace is a pre-requisite for sustainable development, in order to development projects or need to restore peace in the region before maintain peace, inclusivity of development is essential. any developmental work is implemented, is context speci c.
Pakistan is an exemplary case that has been trying to strike a balance The example of other countries’ must also be looked at for under- between this peace and development nexus in order to progress standing how both dynamics need to be taken forward simulta- towards inclusive sustainable development. Despite immense neously. Countries such as New Zealand and Iceland have always potential for growth, Balochistan and erstwhile FATA are unfortunate prided in maintaining a peaceful society and sustaining high levels cases of stunted development, partly owing to non-inclusive of human development. Sri Lanka maintained high standards of development and partly owing to a lack of peace in the region. For human development despite suffering from a long-standing con ict instance, the number of people living in poverty in Balochistan for 26 years, therefore implying that peace cannot necessarily be reduced from 83.4 percent in 2004/05 to 71.2 percent in 2014/15. On taken as a precondition to development. the contrary, other provinces not only had fewer people in poverty as compared to Balochistan, but in fact, their reduction in poverty has Pakistan has demonstrated considerable commitment to achieving been much higher over the years as well. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). If implemented in totality, the achievement of the 17 SDGs can lead to sustainable Several other factors also play a crucial role for maintaining the inclusive development and peace in Pakistan. This is because a host peace and development nexus that leads to development, which is of SDGs are related to addressing factors that impact the existence of both sustainable and bene ts all. This includes a well-functioning peace and cause hindrance in development. These for instance government, political stability, equitable distribution of resources, include addressing poverty, inequity, education, hunger, discrimina- good governance, a well-functioning business environment, good tion, bad governance etc. If all these individual goals are addressed diplomatic relations with neighbours, low levels of corruption, high little by little, a ripple effect can ensue in establishing peace with levels of human capital, protection of fundamental rights of all, and simultaneous development. easy access and ow of information. In Pakistan’s case, along with other targeted development interven- For countries like Pakistan with areas affected by insecurity, along tions, youth can play a critical role in maintaining and boosting with all other factors, development interventions can serve as a peace and development in the country. The National Human crucial catalyst to maintain peace-con ict dynamics. However, if not Development Report 2017 also informs us that with the existing prepared or planned well, these can do more harm than good. demographic advantage-with a higher proportion of population Development interventions, thus, need to conduct a thorough being young-if provided with quality education, gainful employ- peace and con ict sensitivity analysis before the design phase. This is ment, and meaningful engagement opportunities, the youth in to ensure that the projects designed, especially in con icts and post- Pakistan can serve as “positive agents of change”. con ict areas, not only consider the development objective and how to achieve it, but remain considerate of the con ict situation to Along with the State and development partners, grassroot organiza- determine how they can reduce con ict through economic, social tions, civil society, as well as local authorities are essential for and environmental protection. ensuring a bottom-up approach in achieving a balance between peace and development. For achieving the perfect balance in the Additionally, development interventions can also directly contribute peace and development nexus, a holistic and inclusive approach to restoring peace through con ict resolution and management by that includes all stakeholders is required; one which is well- providing neutral spaces for interaction, positive communication embedded in evidence-based research and ground realities.
01 Analysis Peace and Sustainable Development
Note: The main analysis has been conducted by Dr Najimdeen Bakare (Head of Department, Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), National University of Science and Technology) and Ms. Faryal Khan (Research Associate (CIPS), National University of Science and Technology).
De ning Peace and Development only through the lens of liberal democracy. ontology of peace is predicated on The list is many of countries that achieved negotiation, compromise and toleration. Mankind from time immemorial has always development under an authoritarian The following discussion identi es few been craving for certain goals, some of regime. To quote Galtung , peace and factors having the proclivity to enable and which are abstract and concrete in nature. development, as the state of being disable peace and consequently herald The craving for peace is one of the most satis ed-satisfaction being a relative term, sustainable development. generalized goals. Making and having it can either be attained in both conserva- peace does not happen in vacuum, it tive and liberal environments. i. Governance: The provision of social always involves socioeconomic and amenities and the creation of enabling political discourse in a given society. To place the discussion in perspective, environment for human development Though, having sustainable peace is by ‘satisfaction’ through the paradigmatic is an essential responsibility of the itself dependent on several temperaments, discourse of positive means (a) self- state. The manner through which a level of consolidation–social capital, the realization or personal growth, if peace is state administers itself is generally deeper and intense the intra and inter social seen as a condition for human ful lment te r m e d a s g ove r n a n ce. G o o d capital, the longer its consolidation and and development; (b) condition that does governance is measured through the vice versa. not allow the reoccurrence of con ict; (c) optics of accountability, transparency provision of a relatively high level of and responsibility. Any country devoid The concept of peace and development security to all members of a given society; of good governance, automatically connote different meanings, but are (d) satisfaction-peace through an inclusive exposes itself to certain vulnerabilities. nevertheless synonymously used. They provision of basic needs, not only to Inasmuch as good governance can refer to a process more than a state of affairs segments of the society; (e) creating an enable sustainable development, and can best be placed and measured by enabling environment through which structural corruption which is one of the satisfaction of everybody. Satisfaction members of society get basic conditions for the by-products of its lack, can be so here denotes democratisation and human ful lment as in creative work, destructive to development. When a liberalisation of satisfaction for the bottom freedom and real politics; (f) peace and state is deeply rooted in the disease of 25 percent (people) or more of the society. development through the standards of corruption, necessary basic amenities For true development, a society cannot Human Development Index (HDI) and become farfetched, discontentment, keep constant the level of non-satisfaction Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); youth disgruntlement, human capital at the bottom. Meanwhile, the proclivity of and, (g) conditions for not only with living in ight, grievance and frustration a society or state to reduce structural peace with other human beings but also become the preconditions for prolong inequality and violence, possibly direct or with nature-“eco-development”. social con ict. On account of its intentional, will bring about the state of display of bad governance, state peace. Enablers and Disablers of Peace resources and energy get directed towards situation and con ict Efforts to entangle peace and development Peace is a relative concept and should be management, instead of channelling are not novel. Numerous research is done to appraised with same uidity. Having lasting the same energy towards develop- connect peace with a certain type of system peace is a utopian idea, though not an mental projects. of government and by extension, some insinuation that peace cannot be attained, form of development. Scholars like let alone achieving sustainable develop- ii. Structure: Over the ages, structure Huntington and Fukuyama have tried and ment. It is important to emphasize two has played both normative and weaved development with a strong liberal- things, before discussing the enablers and functional roles in shaping human democratic political system and functional disablers of lasting peace. One, peace is consciousness, norms and values, democratic institutions. Such argument never a monolithic venture, instead, a state institution and system. Prevailing places development within the context of of mind and accomplishment achieved structure can be a better gauge to the democratic peace paradigm. through collective effort. Two, it is made, measure inclusion and exclusion created and constructed. The idea that predominate in a given society, how However, it suffices to assert that the peace can or should be imposed is that society construes peace and concept of development has nothing to do philosophically and sociologically awed. con ict, in correspondence with with a system of government. It is concep- Should in case it is somewhat imposed, the inclusive and exclusive development. tually fallacious to construe development tendency to last is unlikely, because the Basing his argument on the under-
1. Johan Vincent Galtung is a Norwegian sociologist, mathematician, and the principal founder of the discipline of peace and con ict studies. 02 standing of domestic dynamics and be locally initiated by a combination of the relationship is often times situated in s o c i o l o g y , E d w a r d A z a r exogenous and endogenous factors the context of post-con ict reconstruction. epistemologically offers a deeper and in turn, melt down any observable It thus follows, must there always be a war dissection of con ict in relations with structure of development. The case of or con ict-like situation before this prevailing structure in a given society- scattered wars in Africa and Asia are relationship can be established? Can peace a tangent from the traditional analysis vivid examples. While the interna- and development mutually co-exist and of con ict predicated on international tional system can trigger war and facilitate each other, without any precondi- system. Azar’s theorization of con ict con ict and can impair development, tions? While these questions cannot be led to the coining of ‘protracted social the same system has shouldered the accorded sufficient space of analysis at the con ict’ (PSC). Such con icts are responsibility of ensuring peace and juncture, the following situational analysis characteristically domestic, socially development, the world over. Through of Pakistan vis-à-vis Swat, former Federally rooted and are the consequent of the its multidimensional international Administered Territorial Agency (FATA) and failure of governance. This social institution, the international system Karachi will nonetheless be placed in the con ict becomes protracted, when owes to its credit the maintenance of perspective of post-con ict reconstruction. individual or collective identity is peace and development across the either denied or truncated structurally globe. Case Studies: Karachi, Swat and and institutionally. In such a scenario, Former FATA self and collective actualisation are iv. Religion: Even though it is a contested fundamentally at stake, basic human terrain, it is hard to dismiss the role of The post-con ict reconstruction paradigm needs, security, equitable economic religion as a stimulus of change in often starts with a troubled vacuum-an growth, fair access to political many societies, both past and present. ungovernable and lawless zone, stemming institutions and economic participa- The relationship between religion and out of the lack of government, which tion are wholesomely wanting. Such man is as old as man himself. Religion necessarily becomes the precondition and climate engenders a disjunction creates an undeniable social capital, justi cation for (exogenous) intervention. between the state and society; particularly for its adherents and can The intervention often involves hard enables communal discontent and muster positive externality, depend- security-military measure(s) geared at deprivation and hence a prolong ing on how much the religion receives stabilisation (peacemaking and peace- con ict which often has heavy impact legitimacy and acceptance. Religion keeping) within the con ict environment. o n s u s t a i n a b l e d e ve l o p m e nt. enables identity construction and on This securitisation is critically tapped as an Exclusion of the ‘other’ from satisfac- the bases of that, promotes develop- enabler for necessary environment for the tion is the core and central argument ment within in-group. Religion as a success of reconstruction-socioeconomic of Azar’s PSC. No society will be at tool of constructing homogeneous and political reconstruction, hence the peace when the prevailing structure is identity can spur development and renaissance of development. exclusive and preferentially tailored to can likewise factor disintegration, bene t a certain group at the enmity, acrimony and con ict- It is important to note here that the detriment of the other. In such elements that are inimical to develop- situational analysis of Pakistan does not in circumstance, development will suffer ment. Religion promotes and creates entirety possess the immanence and the blow of exclusion as the deprived, both a homogeneous and heteroge- standard of post-con ict reconstruction discontented and aggrieved will neous community-a centrifugal and framework afore-described, because the always be unwilling to contribute centripetal force. In the context of latter framework is peculiar to con ict(s) meaningfully to the course of homogeneity, it can inspire unity and that induces foreign intervention. Yet an development. sense of togetherness and uniformity, analogous comparison and borrowing of and a sense of belonging towards ideas from the framework offers a useful iii. International System: Within the sustainable development. In contrast, analytical lens to explaining the case study. discourse of peace and development, heterogeneity is more likely to it is theoretically short-sighted to engender individuality and lack of To start with, if the description of peace as downplay the signi cance of the uniformity and common purpose, the “absence of organized group violence”, international system, which is which are instrumental for moving a is tenable, then it follows that in such an generally described as anarchic. In an society towards the shore of develop- environment, the possibility of an enabling anarchic environment, states are ment. For the sake of clarity, heteroge- climate, potential enough to induce bound to demonstrate their sovereign neity does not always conjure disunity, considerable economic growth, let alone, independence, integrity and status of but ‘pluralism and unity’ and a sense of wholesome development, is a farfetched equality. States behaviour is under- purpose in diversity. In such scenario, a reality. Therefore, in an ungovernable and standable, given the lack of a central society bene ts from such social lawless terrain, peace is always wanting and government. War is one of the cohesion which is an important same is true for development. The question challenges of the anarchy, characteriz- element for sustainable development. that follows, is how to x the situation. ing the international system, thus, military intervention by a powerful Analyzing the Relationship In all three situations (Karachi, Swat, former state in a weaker state, stands to either between Peace and Development FATA) there were (con ict, political turmoil disrupt peace and development, or and uncertainty) conditions that induced totally dismantle whatever level of It is somewhat hard to untangle the the intervention and introduction of development is already achieved. The relationship between peace and develop- con ict resolution measures. Similarly, in all invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya ment. In a stable and functional democracy, three zones, due to the breakdown or and Syria and the consequent political peace and harmony are essential ingredi- incapacitation of local security apparatus to uncertainty in these countries are ents of development, while the latter could arrest and drive the situation towards a evidences to the eroding power of war (not necessarily) be the precondition for peaceful, meaningful and conclusive end, vis-à-vis development. While war can peace in a con ict ridden zone. Thus, in the exogenous intervention(s) in the form of be externally imposed, it can equally background of peace and con ict research, the military and rangers became impera-
2. Edward Azar was a professor of government and politics. 03 tive. Numerous studies and reports have Fundamentals of Peace and sensitive to their culture and social been published on the various aspects of Development architecture, creating an enabling these situational case studies: in all, there is e n v i r o n m e n t t o w a r d s p e a c e , a common undisputable fact, the political As a concept, peace is differently facilitating the sense of belonging, turmoil became an observable jeopardy on understood, depending on the context. In provision of service delivery, infra- socio-economic and commercial inter- the context of traditional security para- structures and developmental course for intra and inter community digm, it is largely considered attainable projects necessary to reduce or development. through hard measures, but with the eliminate the conditions that could re- growing realisation that such measures stimulate the reoccurrence of the In the case of Karachi-the commercial hub alone cannot produce the desired goals, con ict. In addition, one important of Pakistan, the political uncertainty did not hence the imperative for soft measures. sensitivity is the caution and immobil- merely impact mobility, it had observable ity of IDP to areas, for which the impact on the productivity of the city and Amongst the developmental school, peace presence of the displaced people by extension, Pakistan. Since the arrival of vis-à-vis development must come with a could trigger a certain degree of rangers, security measures, necessary for viable economy, enabling-peaceful and cultural and economic shock. normalisation and precondition for non-polluted environment and equity for economic prosperity have been instituted. all. Equity for all is a sign of development, b. Human Rights: The protection of The situation in Karachi demonstrates the but the question is de ning equity with human dignity and rights are local structural limitations to tackle political reference to development is even more essentially important in the debate menace, and hence the call for rangers’ controversial. Different societies receive between peace and development. If intervention, which in turn, set the city back and read equity differently, therefore, the peace is de ned as the state of on the track of peace and development. whole notion of western imposed satisfaction, then, people with high de nition of equity which is somewhat human development are prone to be The case of Swat is no exception, when it believed to be clandestinely geared at satis ed and more readily available to comes to the need for external intervention destroying local culture and value cannot contribute to the development of their to help return peace which is one of the by any standard t in the bracket of immediate environment. Understand- engines of development. While the Swat sustainable development. To this end, ing the imperative of justice, Aristotle turmoil devastated this rich and cultured external interventions all in the name of argues that a society will never be region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), it shaping development can neither bring immune from political unrest if created huge humanitarian crisis-internal peace nor development, particularly, when punctuated by injustice. Injustice can displaced persons (IDPs), destruction of foreign concept(s) and idea(s) antagonises manifest itself in many folds and social infrastructure and loss of lives and local culture and religious sensitivity. becomes the harbinger of discontent, properties. The Pakistan army made frustration and grievance, which concerted and serious intervention to a. Con ict Sensitive Programming: In eventually could morph into aggres- resolve the crisis. The intervention did not this backdrop, the idea of Con ict sive tendency, which is inimical to simply return peace and order, it culmi- Sensitive Programming is increasingly development. Hence, it is the duty of nated in the rehabilitation of one the making headway. Following the state to ensure the protection of largest IDPs in modern history. invasion of Iraq and the consequent human rights at all levels of the society. socio-political and religious fallout, Though, it must be stated at this B e f o r e t h e m e r g e r w i t h K h y b e r the idea of con ict sensitivity juncture, protection of human rights Pakhtunkhwa, former Federally Adminis- emerged. The latter was not just an must not solely be the preoccupation tered Tribal Areas (FATA) had always attempt to downplay the impression of the state, but a venture requiring all maintained certain peculiarity, which of ‘exclusive knowledge’ on the part of hands. Everyone must be his/her marks its distinction from the rest of the the invader or humanitarian agencies, brother’s keeper and the golden rule country. While less is truly known of FATA, it was equally tailored to ascertain must never cease to reign ‘do unto the porosity of the terrain, its topography whether the kind of humanitarian aid other, that you wish them do to you’. and culture are factors that still require given is needed and how sensitive are deeper understanding and dissection by the donor agencies and foreign c. Youth and Women: One of the researchers, truly craving for a contextual governments to their cultural, cardinal principles and requirements perspective of the region. While the region religious and human sensitivity. of the SDGs, is inclusiveness, leaving might have offered sanctuary to extremist no one behind. There are many elements, it has equally bore the conse- In the case of Pakistan, the military-led stakeholders in the course of creating quent brunt. Former FATA like the afore con ict resolution and reconstruction a peaceful and harmonious society of discussed cases, had similar conditions and can never be a success without the which youth and women are impor- hence the need for the same post-con ict same sensitivity. For instance, in the tant stakeholders. For any society to reconstruction processes. The Pakistan case of former FATA, following the optimise its developmental potential, army intervented for the restoration of utility of hard measures and the these two stakeholders must be given peace. Even if the peace process or con ict realisation for soft approach. The need adequate attention and visibility. resolution and reconstruction has to strategize, to win the hearts of the Pakistan has a sizeable women and happened under a securitised environ- local populace becomes much youth population that must be ment, it has nevertheless herald the process important, hence the necessity of plan adequately optimised for develop- of noticeable material and immaterial and activities that would not be mental course. If youth and women development in the shape of modern considered by the local community as across the world are increasingly infrastructures, youth engagement and constituting intrusion, either on their bearing the banner of change and more importantly, an overarching socio- land or culture. Given the cultural progress, the same should be true for economic and political mainstreaming in sensitivity and the peculiarity of the Pakistan. While the cultural sensitivity the shape of a merger with Khyber region, the plan thus generally of the country should be respected vis- Pakhtunkhwa. includes but not limited to being à-vis equitable representation in
3. As written in the ‘Golden Arrow’, a military publication. 04 public matter, the role of women can region like South Asia is wasting its Report (2019), successively climbing further mature from being mere the potentials. Housing almost 1.6 billion its way up for the past decade.⁶ Bhutan homemakers and keepers of family of the human race, a huge human is also recognized for conceiving and structure, to be more industrious in a capital and huge market are all recipes then measuring Gross National more women friendly environment. for development. While much energy Happiness which is enshrined as a The contribution of women is highly and capacity is channelled towards national priority in Bhutan’s constitu- important in the overall makeup of the regional hegemonic competition, tion.⁷ In recent years, Bhutan has state’s GDP. Meanwhile, an enterpris- same energy should be reinvested and specially focused on socioeconomic ing youth can drive Pakistan to the re-diverted towards ensuring regional development programs which have shore of development, they simply peace and development. improved the poverty and literacy need incentive and responsible rates in the country. Moreover, stimulus on the part of the state. Global Examples initiatives such as Rural Economy Across the world, there is and Advancement Program (REAP) and abundance of lessons for Pakistan to As the preceding discussion has overem- National Rehabilitation Program (NRP) l e a r n , o n h o w c o u n t r i e s a r e phasized, there can be no sustainable have enabled nancial support and instrumentalizing their bourgeoning development without peace and no peace infrastructural aid to marginalized youth towards the path of develop- without sustainable development. This fact communities in Bhutan.⁸ ment. Pakistani youth deserve a better bears iteration from the peace goal-the future which can only be made 16th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)- Through the Pillars of Positive Peace possible through a foresighted which accentuates the signi cance of a Framework, Institute for Economics government’s developmental plan. secure, just and inclusive social fabric based and Peace (IEP) characterizes Bhutan’s on a symbiotic dynamism between (lasting) good relations with neighbors, free d. Climate Change and Food Security: peace and sustainable development. ow of information, low levels of It is no more the discourse con ned to c o r r u p t i o n , w e l l - f u n c t i o n i n g the experts on climate, the debate of Countries such as Iceland and New Zealand government, equitable distribution of climate has garnered considerable have consistently showed higher rankings resources, and acceptance of the traction the world over. The question is in peace and development indexes and rights of others as the underlying does Pakistan have both short and stand as exemplars of the correlation factors for lasting peace in Bhutan. long term plans for the unfolding between sustainable development and Given that Bhutan has a history of reality of climate change and the lasting peace. Countries, such as these, displacement of millions of certain consequent risks and vulnerabilities? have added additional bureaucratic layers ethnic groups within the country from Though Pak istan is largely an to their executive mechanisms in order to 1988 to 1993, for which it was agricultural economy, having the provide voluntary reviews of the incorpora- subjected to sever backlash. But potential to produce for its populace, tion and implementation of the SDGs into consistent improvement in the Global but amidst the growing intensity of the development agendas.⁴ Adding further Peace Index (GPI) and Positive Peace climate, it is imperative for the to this debate, aside from such countries, Index (PPI) has established Bhutan as government of Pakistan to plan ahead the characterizations of SDGs and their an exemplar of peace and develop- of time for the consequent food crisis means and methods of implementation ment, nationally and internationally. that might eventually surface. Food hold exceedingly consequential outcomes security is an integral part of peace and when a post-con ict environment/ b. Peru: Peru’s history is laden with development. A nourished state is scenario is under consideration. military coups, social unrest and peaceful state, ‘a hungry man is an violent insurgencies, and despite angry man’ is a general adage, which In this view, this section outlines certain facing certain challenges, it has, speaks volume. Climate change can be models/case studies where the interplay of nevertheless, become a global success phenomenal changer, it can cause sustainable development and lasting story due to its consistent economic drought, famine, ood, destruction of peace, or vice versa, signi es an associative per formance, cordial regional agricultural produce and can be a or sequential relationship. Additionally, relations, and improved GPI and PPI huge reason for displacement. In the some of these cases have been particularly ranking. In recent decades, Peru has event of displacement or internal considered due to nuanced dynamics of avoided the harsh implications of migration, the likelihood of economic contemporary con icts associated with international economic crises and (food) and cultural shock are not them. More so, the succeeding case studies commodity price declines by prudent implausible. Therefore, in as much as also showcase particular dynamics where monetary investment policies and we speak of con ict in materialistically, the relationship (between sustainable exchange rates.⁹ In order to facilitate it can equally be abstract, immaterial, development and lasting peace) is in the socioeconomically vulnerable more deadly and reason for future transition and is expected to bear positive Peruvians, the government instated impediment to peace and develop- outcomes. ‘Juntos’ (Together); the government’s ment. monthly monetary stipend program a. Bhutan: Bhutan is the most prosper- which aided in reducing poverty and e. Regional development: Regional ous country in the region of South Asia economic inequality. ⁰ development can be contagious and in terms of ‘Positive Peace’.⁵ Bhutan is have a ripple effect. A con ict ridden ranked sixtieth in the Positive Peace Peru’s political landscape has also
4. For more details on New Zealand see Landcare Research. “Sustainable Development for New Zealand.” Available at https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/living/sustainable-business/sustainable-development-for-new-zealand; and for Iceland, Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform. “Iceland.” Available at https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/iceland. 5. Institute of Economics and Peace, “Positive Peace Report 2019”, p. 76. 6. Vision of Humanity. “Global Peace Index 2019.” Available at http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/. 7. Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI), “Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index.” Available at https://ophi.org.uk/policy/national-policy/gross-national- happiness-index/. 8. Wangchuk, Kezang., 2018. The Diplomat, “Bhutan’s Unique Success in Reducing Poverty,” Available at https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/bhutans-unique-success-in-reducing- poverty/. 9. The World Bank, “The World Bank in Peru,” Available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/peru/overview. 05 achieved considerable stability Other factors echoing the relationship consequently leads to “social because the country has experienced between sustainable development cohesion, economic development and six consecutive democratic and and lasting peace in Senegal are peace.” ⁹ peaceful changes. In this view, Peru’s hinged on the country’s attachment to National Electoral Board and National inclusion, diversity and pluralism. ⁵ The Mauritian government primarily Office of Electoral Processes have The entrenched adherence to invests in education, free and aided to ensure free and fair elections pluralism is evidenced in the national accessible healthcare to all, access to in the country. Another commend- identity of Senegal, which comprises safe drinking water, etc., due to which able measure supporting inclusivity of an overwhelming majority of the UNDP’s Human Development and sustainable development in Peru ninety- ve percent Muslims, but as per Index Ranks Mauritius at sixty- ve was implemented when the Peruvian the constitution of the country, it is a globally with a life expectancy of 74.9 Congress passed a law in 2011 secular state, and the constitution years, which is quite higher than other requiring the consultation of guarantees the freedom of religion. African countries. ⁰ In summation, the indigenous and rural communities Furthermore, considering inclusivity case of Mauritius bears signi cance when their ancestral territories were as a fundamental for sustainable due to the interdependency of the subjec t to developments and development, the constitution of the pillars of positive peace i.e., investment projects. countr y recognizes six official in human capital, and an open and languages in addition to French and favourable business environment c. Senegal: According to the IEP’s 2019 the formation of political parties on coupled with rule of law and good Global Peace Index, Senegal is the the basis of religion or language is governance can be credited as fty-eighth most peaceful country out prohibited through the national contributing factors to pursuance of of one hundred a sixty-three. The legislature. ⁶ sustainable development and the country is situated in a region consequential lasting peace. surrounded by political violence and Given that Senegal faces challenges to instability, and it houses one of the its territorial integrity from the e. Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone has been longest insurgencies in the sub- Casamance region’s insurgency synonymous with civil war, political Saharan region, within its Casamance movement, however; rather than unrest, natural health emergencies region. It has however, remained marginalizing the rebellion/ separatist such as the Ebola virus epidemic, and considerably peaceful. The country forces, the government chose to natural disasters caused by climate presents a model compr ising incorporate the moderate members of change, etc. However, it also has been particular features which have the movement in the political sphere one of the fastest post-con ict/ contributed to this aforementioned on a national platform. The local disaster recovering states in the world, stability. The foremost credibility goes language of the agitating region’s primarily due to the adherence to the strong and independent Joola ethnic group has also been assigned to the SDGs. This positive institutions that monitor and exercise incorporated in the constitution of the momentum can be attributed to the power within the country by holding country. ⁷ civil society in the country for the constitution as the only reference. outlining a model infrastructure that This factor is further complimented by d. Mauritius: Overtime, Mauritius has puts people and communities at the the proactive civil society in Senegal undergone internal vulnerabilities center of peace and development. For who bear the responsibility to hold the coupled with external pressures; such instance, Fambul Tok, a civil society government institutions accountable. as, ethnic turmoil, trade instabilities, organization, has spear-headed the For instance, prior to the 2012 and the impact of climate change on efforts to build the national capacity to presidential elections, Abdoulaye the agriculture sector of the country. integrate and engage villages, Wade attempted to run for the post a However, despite these challenges, sections, chiefdoms, and local districts third time despite the constitutional the country ranked twenty-forth (out in national governance. In a statement restriction limiting the presidential of 163) on the IEP’s 2019 Global Peace claiming the aforementioned, Mr. terms to a maximum of two years. His Index. ⁸ The underlying reason for Francess Piagie Alghali, the Minister of declaration was responded with Mauritius’s adherence to peace is the State for the Office of the Vice protests mainly led by the “Y’en a continued and committed investment President, declared, “The Fambul Tok marre” citizen movement (“we are fed in the human capital and the creations framework comes out of a desire of up”) which eventually succeeded in of favourable business environment, Sierra Leoneans to maintain peace and mobilizing opposition against Wade’s which are enshrined as the pillars of national cohesion after the tribula- declaration and dismantling his positive peace by the IEP. The IEP has tions and ensure that communities attempt. ⁴ further elaborated that greater have a voice in their own develop- i nve s t m e n t i n h u m a n c a p i t a l ment.”
10. Young Lives, 2016, “Impact of the Juntos Conditional Cash Transfer Programme in Peru on Nutritional and Cognitive Outcomes: Does the Age of Exposure Matter?,” Available at https://www.younglives.org.uk/content/impact-juntos-conditional-cash-transfer-programme-peru-nutritional-and-cognitive-outcomes. 11. European Union Election Observation Missions Peru 2016, “A Peaceful and Orderly Election Day Culminates a Largely Democratic Process,” Available at https://eeas.europa.eu/election-observation-missions/eom-peru-2016/2769/. 12. Institute of Economics and Peace, “Positive Peace Report 2019”, p. 77. 13. Vision of Humanity. “Global Peace Index 2019.” Available at http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/. 14. Genova, James. 2012. “"Y'En A Marre!" (We're Fed Up!): Senegal in the Season of Discontent.” Available at https://origins.osu.edu/article/yen-marre-were-fed-senegal-season- discontent. 15. Scott Straus, Making and Unmaking Nations: War, Leadership and Genocide in Modern Africa (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2015), p. 226. 16. Ibid., pp. 229-230. 17. Ibid. 18. Vision of Humanity. “Global Peace Index 2019.” Available at http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/. 19. Institute of Economics and Peace, “Pillars of Peace.” Available at http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2019/10/PPR-2019-web.pdf. 20. United National Development Program, “Mauritius: Human Development Indicators,” Available at http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/pro les/MUS. 21. International Peace Institute, 2019. “Repairing the Cup”—Consolidating Peace and Advancing Development in Sierra Leone.” Available at https://www.ipinst.org/2019/09/consolidating-peace-and-advancing-development-in-sierra-leone#9. 06 The Sierra Leone people -centered promote peace, rather than to frame d. ‘Human’ centered development as a p p r o a c h / m o d e l i n p o s t - c o n i c t policies or measures which remain an enabler of sustaining peace: reconstruction with link to SGDs was also focused on societal factors that are Development or investment which is echoed by John Caulker, the Founder and enablers of con ict. Additionally, the centered on human beings provides a Executive Director of Fambul Tok (Family characterization of peace as an positive/strong correlation with Talk) International, who stated, “[…] we aspiration would increase nationally- peacefulness. This can also be ensured went back to the community, to the very owned agendas that aim to achieve by upholding human rights, reducing village where Ebola broke out, and we the pillars of peace rather than only inequality, etc. Since humans are at the brought community members together associating the achievement of peace center of developmental measures, with the simple question: what was your as the response to con ict. and are the primary vehicles of the experience with Ebola? How can we peace, it is paramount that they are prevent such mistakes? How can we better b. Finding the balance between short- kept in central consideration while address these problems?” term and long-term developmental policies and plans are formulated. The measures: In order to sustain peace, example of Mauritius mentioned Furthermore, the efforts in Sierra Leone the short-term measures which are above seconds this claim. have also been lauded in terms of curbing primarily employed to cease hostilities gender inequality and in promoting and and reach a cease re, should be e. Understanding and enforcing the improving social protection. The interna- c o m p l i m e n t a r y t o l o n g - t e r m ‘link’ between sustainable peace tional community speci cally seems to programs of sustainable develop- with sustainable development: encourage the measures taken to prevent ment. For instance, Pakistan adopted Sustainable development relies on the child marriages, teenage pregnancies, reactive, security-focused responses in provision of resources, opportunities combat gender-based violence, etc. Mr. areas such as South Waziristan and and prospects in order to enable Francis M. Kai Kai, Minister of Planning and Khyber, where it had conducted individuals to achieve their utmost Economic Development, summed up the armed operations against militants, potential. It should be noted that link between sustainable development and but these measures were not followed ‘peace’ is the enabler and the outcome lasting peace in Sierra Leone by outlining by long-term post-con ict develop- of sustainable development and this is the future approach of the country by mental initiatives, which has tenden- enshrined through the 2030 Agenda stating, “In every crisis, there is an opportu- cies to prove counterproductive. for Sustainable Development. nity, and for post-con ict Sierra Leone, crisis However, with similar short-term goals Building on this, economic growth response and recovery strategies have left in North Waziristan, Pakistan also should be prioritized within this link us with sustainable development models rolled out an elaborative long-term because this, along with development, to help transform our nation going development program addressing form the basis of sustainable develop- forward.” socioeconomic revival, the installation ment and peace. The SDGs 1, 8, 10 and of governance and rule of law, 16 echo this claim and highlight the The cases discussed above can be consid- eradicating threats and reintegrating signi cance of inclusive economic ered (successful) models where certain former militants and rehabilitating growth and stability. aspects of the SDGs have been incorpo- livelihoods, etc. Such initiatives are rated over time within the national prone to showcasing favorable f. Security-development linkage to developmental agendas of these countries outcomes with consistency and sustainable peace and sustainable and have attributed to lasting peace. These continuation in the implementation of development: This is important given countries, in some dimension, have been the long-term programs. that much literature points towards associated with con ict and their post- the role of local, national and con ic t recover y and transitional c. C o n t e x t - d r i v e n a n d l o c a l international actors and their development, where they have consoli- approaches need to be ensured: relevancy in post-con ict develop- dated peace as a foundational goal, echoes Sustainable peace and positive ment. However, the role of security the symbiosis between sustainable development initiatives should be sector is rather blanketed with development and lasting peace. locally-owned, and regionally and generalizations, or the literature internationally supported. Local points more towards international Way Forward actors have the most in-depth arrangements ensuring post-con ict understanding over the con ict recovery, rather than calibrating the Building on the preceding debates, associated with their surroundings role of national or para-military especially by extracting lessons from the and are best suited to prevent secur it y ar rangements in the case studies, this section outlines certain recurrence and are primarily responsi- development process. In most recommendations to sustain peace in order ble to ensure the durability of the instances, maintaining and ensuring to ensure positive development: intervention. Therefore, national and post-con ict general security remains international actors should invest in within the control of these aforemen- a. Promotion of peace as an aspiration building capacity of local governance tioned arrangements and they are rather than a response to con ict: structures to deliver services and closely inter-twined with post-con ict The debates pertaining to lasting, ensure post-con ict economic developmental processes, that too go sustainable and positive peace are development. In this view, the on for decades, and which falls outside bound with the contexts of con ict(s). inclusive decision-making mecha- their conventional mandate. An However, while promoting self- nisms where all important and increased understanding and sustaining peace, especially in post- relevant segments of the society are legislative reconsideration needs to be con ict societies, the focus or point of given space, are quite crucial to sustain allotted to this domain to reconsider analysis should rely more on peace peace and contribute to positive the primary stakeholder in sustainable than con ict. Meaning, the focus development. peace and positive development. should be more on societal factors that
22. Ibid 23. Ibid 07 Opinion Freedom of Expression, Peace and Development
avoiding con ict and establishing peace and milder Press and Publication Ordi- through recognition of all peoples' human nance, 1963. rights. It was precisely to establish lasting peace that all national communities, Freedom of expression facilitates conversa- regardless of their size, resources or tion among members of a society and capacity to manage their affairs, were held sustains debate and a discourse among entitled to freedom, the right to use their them that fosters mutual understating. resources, establish democratic govern- Lack of freedom of expression replaces ments, and inscribe the UDHR in their intra-nation understanding with suspicion, national constitutions. prejudice and even hatred. The people of Pakistan know this better than many other. The human rights de ned in the UDHR are Lack of freedom of expression prevented universal and indivisible and freedom of communication and conversation between expression is one of the key rights. Denial of the people of East Bengal and their fellow I. A. Rehman freedom of expression always leads to countr ymen in West Pakistan. The denial, totally or partly, of quite a few other understanding between them was Peace and Human-Rights Advocate rights–such as the right to take part in one's replaced with suspicion and rancour. The government, right to choose a proper people of East Pakistan sulked in isolation candidate in national elections, the right to and the people of West Pakistan did not The nexus between peace and develop- take part in national cultural activities, and know what the grievances of fellow ment is well established; peace is an the right to ensure rule of the law, et al. Pakistanis in the other wing were. The essential pre-requisite for development, bonds of unity between the two wings of absence of peace means diversion of All states include freedom of expression in the country snapped and nobody could resources away from developmental their constitutions and a simple statement, prevent dismemberment of the state in activity. The nexus between human rights similar to Article 19 of UDHR, in their 1971. Denial of human rights had forced the and development also is well-established; constitutions, usually numbered 19, is oppressed to rise in rebellion. This is a as Amartya Sen has pointed out, essential considered sufficient. Article 19 of classic example of restrictions on freedom development means uplift of human Pakistan's Constitution, however, re ects of expression making a strong and adverse beings or human beings' ability to enjoy the history of suppression of freedom of impact on lasting peace. their basic rights. The nexus between expression in the period preceding the human rights and peace too is well- adoption of the constitution in 1973. The While curbs on freedom of expression recognized; it was in the pursuit of peace press had been subjected to heavy negatively impact peace, the obverse is that human rights as we know them today, restrictions during the preceeding 17 years equally true and respect for freedom of were conceived. or so, therefore article 19 of the constitu- expression promotes intra-nation harmony tion, in a departure from common practice, and peace which clears the way to Let us read the preamble to the Universal speci cally provides for the freedom of the sustainable development. Wherever Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It press. The freedom of expression had society is free to maintain a national says; always included the right to information discourse, the channels for expression of and this was con rmed by the Supreme differences and dissent are open. The airing “Whereas recognition of the inherent Court (Nawaz Sharif vs the federation, of dissent generates a pressure for dignity and of the equal and inalienable 1993). It was in order to protect the citizens' resolution of differences. The lifting of curbs rights of all members of the human family is right to information that, in 2010, Article 19- on freedom of expression in Pakistan in the the foundation of freedom, justice and A was added to the chapter on fundamen- last quarter of 1980s created possibilities of peace in the world… tal rights. bringing inter-provincial disagreements into the open, generated efforts to resolve “Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be These changes in the fundamental rights them, and boosted national cohesion and compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, chapter became necessary for resolving a rate of economic growth. Britain reaped to rebel against tyranny and oppression, con ict between journalists and the huge bene ts from the free discourse in the that human rights should be protected by government that had been going on since House of Commons and outside, during the rule of law.” 1963 when the Ayub government (1958- and after the industrial revolution. 1969) imposed new curbs on freedom of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights expression. The media community had to Experience has shown us that freedom of (UDHR) was adopted after two world wars, rebel against tyranny and oppression. All expression has an all pervasive effect on a each bloodier and costlier than the earlier m e m b e r s o f t h e m e d i a c o m m u- society. If lack of freedom of expression ones, in terms of loss of life and destruction nity–proprietors, editors and working results in misunderstanding at the national of human savings, had convinced the journalists–observed a one-day strike that level and this generates acrimony at that leaders of the world of the urgency of compelled the government to issue a new level, ultimately discord is transferred to the 08 individual level. A clear example is the spate Hate speech can disturb peace and purposes and principles of the United of violence against the Hazara Shias and adversely impact development. When a Nations. Punjabi settlers in Balochistan. The factory worker in Karachi was lynched after indigenous population developed a hate-preachers had targeted him for his In Pakistan, the right to freedom of grievance against the Hazaras, migrants belief, tension at the work place diverted expression is subject to limitations from Afghanistan, who occupied 70 workers from their duties and production mentioned in Article 19 of the constitution percent of the posts in the provincial was disrupted. itself. This right is subject to “any reasonable secretariat and like-wise transferred their restrictions imposed by law in the interest grievances, real or imaginary, against The sum total of the foregoing discussion is of glory of Islam or the integrity, security or Punjab into hostility to Punjabi doctors, that freedom of opinion and expression defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, teachers and other professionals. This promotes peace and cohesion by setting friendly relations with foreign states, public hostility led to murderous attacks on the off timely alarms about any fault-lines. A order, decency or morality, or in relation to settlers. spirit of mutual accommodation makes for contempt of court, commission of or resilience and continuity of productive incitement to an offence.” The broad sweep Like all other freedoms the freedom of endeavours. Freedom of expression helps of restrictions makes this article controver- expression can also be abused and one of sustain a healthy discourse based on sial and liable to abuse but if the institutions the worst forms of this abuse is indulgence acceptance of the dignity of holders of responsible for guarding the people's right in hate speech. What is hate speech? For our opinions different from one's own. The to rule of law are dynamic and effective, the purpose, a simple de nition of hate speech people do not have to rise in rebellion minimum necessary guarantees of will be sufficient and we may accept hate against tyranny and oppression, to avoid freedom of expression can be ensured. speech as any attack on the belief, custom, which the whole scheme of human rights or social practice or gender of a group and was devised. However, freedom of expression also its members to the extent of incitement to requires an enabling environment. The violence against them. But freedom of opinion and expression state is required to desist from making laws, does not mean prevention of con ict alone, rules and policies that curtail the funda- In Pakistan, hate speech is used in inter- it is also necessary to enable citizens to take mental right to freedom of expression. The provincial wranglings over political space part in politics, their governance and restrictions imposed by the constitution or and nancial shares of development cultural activities. any law, such as the Anti-terrorism Act or outputs. Sometimes politics by hatred is the Security of Pakistan Act, should be taken to a point that the people of one The freedom of expression, like any other construed narrowly. At the same time, the province start hating their compatriots in human right, is not absolute. We may re- Right of Access to Information Act 2017 another province. But a greater use of hate read Article 29 of the UDHR: needs to be fully implemented and the speech is seen in sectarian con icts. Every various IT commissions allowed to work year, on the eve of events of religious 1. Everyone has duties to the community in freely. The federal and provincial govern- signi cance, the entry of ulema in certain which alone the free and full develop- ments need to improve their compliance districts is banned because their speeches ment of his personality is possible. with rules that require them to publish at large congregations are often laced with information in their possession in public attacks on other sects. The members of 2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, interest. At the same time the citizens, certain marginalized communities are at a everyone shall be subject only to such especially those working for media permanent target of hate speech by limitations as are determined by law organizations, should cut down their organized groups and this campaign has solely for the purpose of securing due indifference towards seeking information led to the killing of their outstanding recognition and respect for the rights under the Right of Access to Information doctors and teachers. The use of hate and freedoms of others and of meeting Act 2017 and secure information to the speech against rival Muslim sects has led to the just requirements of morality, public extent possible. No right can be secured by a situation that today more Muslims are order and the general welfare in a anyone who does not know how to assert it. facing blasphemy charges than non- democratic society. Muslims. At the moment, the world is witnessing the impact of hate speech on 3. These rights and freedoms may in no members of minority communities in India. case be exercised contrary to the
09 Opinion Con ict Sensitivity in Development Cooperation
are operating—and in con ict settings, strengthened patterns of clientelism and become a part of the con ict. Donors need patronage. Further, health services to be aware of and accountable for the provided for free to refugees from Syria but inadvertent side effects of aid program- at a cost to Lebanese hosts have been ming. perceived as unequal treatment and have exacerbated tensions. While needs-based What is Con ict Sensitivity? assistance is important, decisions about project location and the diversity of Con ict sensitivity is an essential concept recipients, staff and suppliers need to and tool to help aid actors to understand consider pre-existing political fault-lines.⁶ the context in which they operate, the unintended consequences of aid in the Development interventions also have the particular context; and to act to minimise capacity to contribute to peace, such as harm and achieve positive outcomes. through fostering common interests Huma Haider Con ict sensitivity serves not only to among stakeholders, neutral spaces for decrease the potential for violence but also interaction, positive communication Independent Research Consultant to increase the effectiveness of assistance. outlets and mechanisms for co-operation. By providing non-violent means to work Con ict, Justice and Peacebuilding Potential negative unintended conse- together and to address contentious issues, quences of humanitarian aid could be:⁵ they can demonstrate alternatives to Introduction con ict.⁷ Ÿ Targeting and distributing support in a The rst principle for aid policy-makers, way that exacerbates divisions; Although con ict sensitivity originated in identi ed in the OECD's Development the humanitarian eld, it has since been Assistance Committee's Guidelines on Ÿ Elite capture and diversion of aid applied in a wide range of development, 'Helping Prevent Violent Con ict', is 'to do resources to a particular group; peace-building and state-building no harm and to guard against unwittingly contexts. aggravating existing or potential con icts'. Ÿ Distorting local economies and/or This is in addition to 'maximising good' and competition over aid resources; What Tools Do We Have? strengthening incentives for peace. Now well accepted in the development Ÿ Support for political settlements that Con ict analysis is a common central community, this principle rose to promi- are not inclusive; and, component of con ict sensitivity. It helps nence after the devastating genocide in aid workers to determine the key factors, Rwanda in 1994. Genocidaires exploited Ÿ Working with a corrupt or exclusionary actors and dynamics at work in con icts humanitarian relief to refugee camps in government or by-passing the state. and in con ict prevention; and to order to consolidate their own power and understand the interaction between the to launch attacks within the camps and In Lebanon, for example, aid to address the intervention and the context. The absence against Rwanda. Development agencies immense in ux of refugees escaping from of con ict analysis can exacerbate con ict. further heightened tensions between Tutsi con ict in Syria, has produced some In rural Kenya, for example, the construc- and Hutu groups by recruiting predomi- negative consequences. At the policy level, tion of water wells closer to remote villages, nately Tutsi local staff.⁴ international aid actors have often in order to avoid women having to travel operated independently of the Lebanese long distances for water, had the unex- These destructive events demonstrated government in favour of local non-state pected outcome of increasing family and that aid interventions are not neutral but actors as service providers. This has inter-village con icts. A subsequent study become a part of the context in which they undermined government legitimacy and revealed that women would discuss,
1. This article draws on previously published work: Haider, Huma, (2014). Con ict Sensitivity: Topic Guide. Birmingham: GSDRC. Available at https://gsdrc.org/topic-guides/con ict- sensitivity/. The production of this guide was funded by the Department for International Development; Haider, Huma, (2017). Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Applying Con ict Sensitivity to Transitional Justice. Con ict, Security and Development 17(4), 333-360. 2. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)-Development Assistance Committee (DAC) (2001). Guidelines on 'Helping Prevent Violent Con ict'. Paris: OECD, 23. 3. Brown, Sarah et al., (2009). “Con ict Sensitivity Consortium Benchmarking Paper.” Con ict Sensitivity Consortium, London. 4. Uvin, Peter, (1998).” Aiding Violence: The Development Enterprise in Rwanda.” Kumarian Press, West Hartford. 5. Stabilisation Unit (SU), (2016). “Con ict Sensitivity Tools and Guidance.” London: Stabilisation Unit. 6. Stamm, Sibylle, (2013). “Con ict Dimensions of International Assistance to Refugees from Syria in Lebanon.” Bern: KOFF/Swisspeace. 7. Bush, Kenneth, (2009). “Aid for Peace: A Handbook for Applying Peace & Con ict Impact Assessment (PCIA) to Peace III Projects.” INCORE, University of Ulster, and United Nations University. 10 negotiate and resolve many community related to peace and con ict. ⁴ An con ict, and the differential impacts of problems on their travels to and from the education project may fail to increase the con ict on their lives? water wells.⁸ Con ict analysis could have number of students able to pass state-wide revealed this issue and the need for an exams (stated criteria), but may succeed in Ÿ Do local partners and bene ciaries a l te r n ate m e c h a n i s m fo r co n i c t improving inter-group relationships by represent a cross section of society resolution. creating a safe, neutral environment for and/or different sides of the con ict; or interaction and countering stereotypes. ⁵ It is there a strategic choice to focus on a Building on con ict analysis, con ict is necessary to consider how to adapt or particular group? sensitivity involves critically reviewing all supplement initiatives to minimise the risk elements of an intervention to determine of negative outcomes and to address peace Ÿ Who will be served and who will be left plausible outcomes of how it may inadver- and con ict issues. out of programme support and does tently interact with violent con ict.⁹ There this result in a marked imbalance? are a range of tools to do this, in particular How to Operationalise These Tools? 'Do No Harm' (DNH) and 'Peace and Con ict Ÿ Where will the programme be imple- Impact Assessment' (PCIA). Con ict sensitivity must be applied mented geographically and how does consistently and holistically throughout this choice relate to identi ed con ict DNH helps aid workers to identify con ict- the programme cycle (design and planning, risks and opportunities? exacerbating impacts of assistance, in implementation, and monitoring and particular how decisions and actions can evaluation). There needs to be systematic In order to be effective, all relevant actors affect inter-group relations. This involves links between con ict analysis, and must be involved in con ict sensitivity. Lack analysis of dividing and connecting issues understanding of the interaction between of coordination among actors operating in and actors, which should be done with local the intervention and the context, on the the same space, including national partners and regularly updated during one hand, and the design and implementa- governments, donors, local partners and project implementation. It is important to tion of the intervention, on the other. ⁶ It is NGOs, and among agencies in the same understand how divisions are actually essential that the impacts and unintended country government, can result in created. For example, 'religion' is often consequences of programming once unintentionally undermining the work of called a divider, but religion itself is not implemented are subject to monitoring others. ⁰ International development actors necessarily a source of tension. The and evaluation (M&E). A programme that should ensure that local partners and NGOs question is how people use religion to appears con ict sensitive on paper may not are familiar with con ict sensitivity tools cause divisions. ⁰ Attention to connectors necessarily be so in practice. Programmes and practices. allows for progress to be made beyond should be exible and adaptable in 'avoiding harm' to fostering trust-building response to ndings, updated con ict Con ict Sensitivity in Policy and inter-group linkages. It is important analysis and changing con ict dynamics. ⁷ Frameworks not to generalise certain groups as M&E processes must themselves be con ict connectors or dividers. Women's groups sensitive, such as through transparency, the Con ict sensitivity needs to be embedded may represent dividers when they creation of safe spaces and encouragement in an agency's policies and operational represent only one side of the con ict. They of open dialogue. ⁸ agenda, such that it can be applied can also serve as connecters through joint consistently at the different levels of enterprise, such as a hostel run by Tutsi and Guiding questions include: ⁹ intervention (project, programme, sector, Hutu widows in Rwanda. policy). Even if it is applied at the Ÿ Is there understanding of power programme level, there could still be PCIA assesses not only impacts of assis- dynamics, root causes, drivers of negative consequences if the policy level is tance but also the risk of how contextual con ict (e.g. historical tensions within neglected. factors could impact on a project (risk and or between communities, such as opportunity assessment). This assessment competition over space) and drivers of Efforts to infuse con ict sensitivity into should be engaged in pre-initiative, during peace (e.g. traditional con ic t strategic and policy frameworks have been the initiative, and post-initiative- mediation; ways in which and places growing over the past two decades. The contributing to planning, monitoring and where community members come World Bank, for example, implemented a evaluation. PCIA does not evaluate the together and share resources)? programme aimed at improving the effectiveness of a development project con ict sensitivity of country poverty against its stated objectives, outcomes or Ÿ Is there understanding of how different reduction strategy frameworks. Key aspects outputs, but rather against indicators identity groups are affected by the include the need for contextual analysis
8. Marthaler, Esther and Sidonia Gabriel, (2013). “Manual: 3 Steps for Working in Fragile and Con ict-affected Situations.” Helvetas, Bern and Zurich. 9. Goldwyn, Rachel, (2013). “Making the Case for Con ict Sensitivity in Security and Justice Sector Reform Programming.” Care International UK, London. 10. Supra note 8. 11. Engelstad, Sam et al., (2008). “Do No Harm in Somalia.” CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Cambridge, MA. 12. CDA, (2010). “Do No Harm: Additional Model of the Framework.” CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Cambridge, MA. 13. Supra note 7. 14. Bornstein, Lisa, (2010).”'Peace and Con ict Impact Assessment (PCIA) in Community Development: A Case Study from Mozambique.” Evaluation 16(2), 165–176. 15. Bush, Kenneth, (1998). “A Measure of Peace: Peace and Con ict Impact Assessment (PCIA) of Development Projects in Con ict Zones (Working Paper 1).” International Development Research Centre, Ottawa. 16. Paffenholz, Thania and Reychler, Luc (2007). “Planning and evaluating development and humanitarian interventions in con ict zones, Part 3 in Aid for Peace: A Guide to Planning and Evaluation for Con ict Zones” (pp 71-127). Baden-Baden, Germany: Nomos. 17. Sida, (2017). “Con ict Sensitivity in Programme Management.” Stockholm: Sida. 18. OECD, (2012). “Evaluating Peacebuilding Activities in Settings of Con ict and Fragility: Improving Learning for Results.” 19. Supra note 5 and 17. 20. Lange, M (2006). “Con ict-sensitive Humanitarian Assistance: building capacity for mainstreaming.” In P. Gibbons & B. Piquard (Eds.), Working in con ict - Working on con ict: Humanitarian dilemmas and challenges (pp. 155-170). Bilbao: University of Deusto 21. Ahmed, Zahid S., (2015). “Development and Con ict Sensitivity: a case study of the application of PCIA in Pakistan.” Asian Journal of Peacebuilding 3(2): 215-231. 22. Supra note 11. 11 and exibility to adapt and change The Need for Con ict Sensitivity in sharing of water resources and the programming in response to changing Pakistan possibility of elite capture. The organisation situations. There are also now various was able to design and implement its overarching policy frameworks that Pakistan faces multiple local and interna- irrigation project in a location affected by address con ict sensitivity, such as the 'New tional challenges to peace and stability. water shortage (Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Deal for Engagement in Fragile States'. It There often also exists some negative Pakhtunkhwa), in a way that prevented elite aims to mitigate risks from providing aid in perceptions of Western interventions capture and did not exacerbate local con ict and fragile settings and emphasises amongst local population. Internal con ict con ict. ⁶ the need for periodic country-led assess- drivers include religious extremism, ments. terrorism, political violence and sectarian- Involvement of all relevant actors in con ict ism. ⁵ Given these various layers and forms sensitivity can also improve the effective- Strategies for con ict sensitive interven- of con ict, it is essential that development ness of aid interventions. NGOs in Pakistan tions should build on and integrate with actors incorporate con ict sensitivity in have in the past been left out of con ict overarching policy guidelines and policy their work to avoid becoming parties to sensitivity trainings and have subsequently frameworks across various sectors. con ict. demonstrated limited understanding of However, translating policy guidelines into the concept and of its relevance to their national policies and strategies and Greater contextual understanding and work. ⁷ This can greatly undermine the implementing related organisational con ict sensitive project and programme utility of interventions and foster the view changes within donor governments planning can help to avoid unintended that con ict sensitivity is solely a Western remains a challenge. ⁴ negative consequences. Con ict analysis agenda. It is essential that local partners are involving an irrigation project in Pakistan, included in knowledge sharing and for example, implemented by a European training in con ict sensitivity approaches organisation, revealed tensions over the and tools.
© UNDP Pakistan
23. Haider, H., (2014), supra note 1. 24. Ibid. 25. Supra note 21. 26. Ibid. 27. Ibid. 12 Opinion Peace and Sustainable Development
direct/structural violence. Galtung refers to projects on peace and con ict, but must structural violence where some social also consider how their projects can reduce structures may prevent people from con ict through economic, social and meeting their basic needs. environmental protection.
The Link Between Peace and In 2005-06, a peace and con ict impact Sustainable Development assessment in Dera Ismail Khan found that a particular irrigation project was mainly irrigating the lands belonging to the local Sustainable development is de ned as elites. Thus, intentionally it was contribut- 'development that meets the needs of the ing to the overall structural violence.⁵ present without compromising the ability Similarly, another development project in of future generations to meet their own Swat was disrupted owing to a con ict needs'. This de nition therefore equally between the local tribes, consequently emphasized on the need of focusing on shutting down the school.⁶ Dr. Zahid Shahab Ahmed social, economic and environmental aspects of development. Deakin University, Australia These examples delineate that there is not just the need for being fully educated on Since the culmination of the Cold War, there the local context well in project planning to has been greater emphasis on the be con ict-sensitive, but also the need for Introduction connection between peace and sustain- resolving con icts. able development. According to the Rio In the Fragile States Index of 2019, Pakistan Declaration, “peace, development and is placed at 23 in the 'alert' category mainly environmental protection are interdepen- Managing Con icts due to con icts and violence in different dent and indivisible”.⁴ Simultaneously there parts of the country. It is also a country with was a realization that development So, what should be done to manage widespread economic disparity with nearly projects can also do harm to local peace con icts constructively? There can be many one-fourth of the population living below and con ict dynamics if they are not answers to this question based on different the national poverty line. The ongoing prepared well. This consciousness led to the scenarios. There can be contexts when economic crisis with high level of in ation development of con ict sensitivity tools, con icts are unavoidable and directly affect and unemployment can further fuel such as peace and con ict impact development projects. Then con ict con ict and violence in the country. This assessments. Since then there have been avoidance is not a choice and development piece argues why there is a need for a actions taken by the international projects should focus on ways of resolving greater focus on the peace-sustainable development community to directly and con icts. There can also be situations when development nexus in Pakistan. indirectly, contribute to peace through there is no direct impact of con icts on the their development projects. project but development interventions can De ning Peace and Con ict lead to con ict resolution or reconciliation. Despite this global level understanding and Peace can be de ned in two ways - 'positive' push for focusing on peace in developmen- Hence, all projects must begin with a and 'negative' peace. Negative peace is tal interventions, there remains a confusion comprehensive micro-level assessment of merely the absence of violence, but positive regarding what should be a rst priority: the drivers of peace and con ict to see how peace moves beyond to address the root peace or sustainable development. An easy con icts can be reduced by investing in causes of violence/con ict often hidden in answer is both, as one cannot wait for peace peacebuilding efforts. In the case of attitudes and structures. in order to implement development Pakistan, it is important to be conscious of projects. Similarly, one cannot ignore the ethnic, religious and sectarian divisions. Violence can be viewed in three contexts, importance of peace while implementing Sustainable development projects could, personal, cultural and structural violence. development projects. In contexts facing for example, ensure that they bring Personal violence is direct physical con icts and post-con ict situations, together communities irrespective of their violence, but cultural violence refers to development interventions need to ethnic, religious or sectarian differences. cultural aspects that can be used to justify consider not just the impacts of their
1. The Fragile States Index 2019. Available at https://fragilestatesindex.org/ 2. As de ned by Johan Vincent Galtung in 1964. Galtung is a Norwegian sociologist, mathematician, and the principal founder of the discipline of peace and con ict studies. 3. Bruntland Commission report to the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 4. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 1992. Available at http://www.fao.org/mfcal/i_rio.htm 5. Ahmed, Z. S. (2015), “Development and con ict sensitivity: A case study of the application of PCIA in Pakistan.” Asian Journal of Peacebuilding, 3(2), 215-231. 6. Ibid 13 With regards to peace dialogues within addressing the root causes of various are linked to addressing structural violence, Pakistan, the national and international con icts that Pakistan is faced with. which is deep-rooted in Pakistan. There is development organizations hardly analyze Building on the facet of 'peacebuilding an alarming rich-poor gap in Pakistan the consequences of their interventions on through state building', which international demanding actions in relation to the rst peace. This is partly also linked to the very development organizations have already two SGDs focusing on poverty and hunger. nature of donor-driven projects because in been working on, there is greater attention The youth is a critical factor in this entire general, local organizations adhere to required in relation to the SDG 16 on 'Peace, scenario and needs to be integrated more guidelines set by donors. Justice and Strong Institutions'. The set up deeply in both peacebuilding and of dispute resolution councils in Pakistan development interventions. There are Many con icts are beyond the reach of are a valuable step in the right direction. already many good examples but there is a development organizations due to the lack Such community-level committees are need for more investment for instance in of accessibility. Among these are the needed across the country to address local sports for peace projects that could bring situations in Balochistan and former-FATA. dispute in a timely fashion. communities together. Bottom-up approaches for bringing communities together, are more important Moving Forward To sum up, it is important to reiterate that in Pakistan where the government already the local and international development has its hands full with a variety of domestic There is already greater cooperation organizations do not have a choice of and external challenges. Development between the international development choosing between peace and sustainable projects can execute this effectively community and the government of development. Various forms of con icts because their projects focus on social, Pakistan in relation to the implementation demand a joint focus on the peace- economic and environmental protection of the sustainable development goals sustainable development nexus. and are not an 'alarm' for security and locals. (SGDs). If implemented in totality, the achievement of the 17 SDGs can lead to There can be many innovative ways of sustainable peace in Pakistan. Several SGDs
© UNDP Pakistan 14 Interview
say that again
“...The people have to become their own actors and protectors. Otherwise they will be acted upon and protected from exercising their own rights by those who fear them. “
Ashraf Jehangir Qazi Former Pakistan's Ambassador/High Commissioner to Syria, East Germany, the USSR/Russian Federation, China, India, and the United States Former Special Representative of the UNSG Former UN Head of Mission in Iraq and Sudan
Peace and development are two oft used together terms. What problem and not part of the solution. The provision of basic services in your opinion is the relationship between the two? and human rights protections are state responsibilities as per the constitution. These are enabling responsibilities and constitute the By and large the one is not possible without the other. For example, core of democratic governance. Capitalism worships at the altar of building Naya Pakistan or a New Pakistan is development. This is “free enterprise” not democracy. Capitalism left to itself dis- impossible without bringing about an improved neighbourhood empowers the people and instead empowers high finance and environment, especially in relations with India and Afghanistan. This social and political order that serves and supports it. is peace-building. However, as George Orwell brilliantly commented, that an expensive Nevertheless, in order to achieve stable and lasting peace, certain education was required to teach people not to think what simply issues have to either be resolved or put on a path towards resolution. would not do to think about. Capitalism inculcates such an educa- A major example is the Kashmir dispute. It is an obstacle to better tion to ensure an ordered society in which the elites and the relations with India which precludes an environment conducive to “bewildered herd” know their respective places. The only actors that development. Only skillful diplomacy can resolve such conundrums. are required are those who are able and willing to devote themselves India’s development as well, despite being the bigger country, has waking the people up to their situation, their rights, their opportuni- also been impacted because of bad relations with Pakistan. ties and their potential.
What challenges do you see in Pakistan with regard to peace and None of the partners mentioned, with the exception of civil society, development? have much of an interest in wasting their time in such pie-in- the-sky and quixotic activities. Countries like China have prospered by Governance as institutionalized class warfare, the hollowing out of carefully ignoring western text book solutions that are applied to all political institutions, elite constructed narratives posing as poor countries and never used as a policy basis for their own national ideologies, the denial of basic human rights protections countries. Very few, if any, leader of Pakistan has ever liberated including basic services such as decent education and health, and as himself from the ideological blinkers of western capitalist develop- a result, a people who believe their “qismat” (destiny) is to live off the ment, the history of which had nothing to do with democracy, crumbs from the high table of their social “superiors”, are all inimical equality, welfare, justice or inclusiveness. There were just winners to rational welfare policies that are the foundation for peace and and losers. The winners kept the benefits to themselves assisted by development. security and law enforcing agencies, while the losers were fed on the ideology of free enterprise, a minimalist state and heavenly rewards In the absence of tackling these fundamental flaws in governance, while being kept in their place by security and law enforcing no amount of specific, technical, commonsense and necessary agencies. The people have to become their own actors and protec- reform proposals can have any effect because they will either not be tors. Otherwise they will be acted upon and protected from implemented or if they are, they will never be sustained. The national exercising their own rights by those who fear them. interest is defined by its enemies. The people are excluded from having any say in policies that vitally affect them–in the name of the What policies and plans are required to move forward to sustain people! The people are aware of their situation but are carefully peace and nurture it to contribute to positive development in indoctrinated to be patient in the belief that their respite lies in the the country? after-life. Those who insist on more inclusive, just and participatory governance in this life are designated as threats to law and order, Within the prevailing system, no set of policies can bring about purveyors of sedition and of suspect loyalty to the nation and the lasting basic reform, national transformation and democratic faith. governance. The present government is up against this truth. It may mean well and be led by a charismatic and honest person. But the What roles can different actors, including the state, civil society, compromises and U-turns it has made, voluntarily or not, are fatal to national and international development partners etc. play in the prospect of governance by the people which can never be a gift Pakistan, to combat these challenges? from the elite and the powerful.
Most of these actors are to one degree or another, part of the It is always the result of successful struggle against the ruling elites. 15 Lumpen-proletariats are always the “jiyalas” of their class enemies. misinform and disinform their viewers and readers, and architects of Rowdy populism is the opposite of government of, by and for the educational syllabi who take care to ensure no child is rendered fit for people. It pretends to be the champion of its victims. Economic rule life in the 21st century, have all rendered the present system by the IMF and its IFI affiliates, political rule by the rich and the irreparably dysfunctional. forceful, social leadership by traditional spiritual and landed elites, hollowed out democratic institutions like parliaments legislating Policies and plans are irrelevant. Only transformational movements empty laws, judiciaries that delay and deny justice, bureaucracies can move the country towards survival and salvation. Responses, not that pander to political charlatans, media moguls who obligingly endless questioning, are what is needed.
16 Interview
say that again
“...If development ensues that would render more peace in the region itself, given people will be satisfied with the economy and their living standards. “
Lt. General (Retd.) Talat Masood Political Commentator
Peace and development are two oft used together terms. What The relationship between the government and the opposition is also in your opinion, is the relationship between the two? very hostile, which prevents the political system from developing. This allows military to dominate politics, which has also been a I think there is a very strong relationship between the two: without tradition in the past, so they perpetuate their dominance, which is peace, it is very difficult to have genuine development. The resources very wrong in the sense that it hurts democracy. of the state cannot be properly utilized unless there is peace, because the state will be consumed with other issues, if say for Then, the interests of the government, the democratic institutions, instance, the state is itself threatened, or its people are threatened, or public accounts committee etc., entire parliamentary process, the if there is a conflict within the state or with its neighbours, or if it is legislation all these things are very important. The working relation- part of a global collusion force. Therefore, it is very important to have ship with the opposition is extremely important. Pushing back the a peaceful environment, especially for countries like ours which are military and judiciary to remain within the ambit of their constitu- in the process of development. tional boundaries is also extremely important.
One of the reasons that our country has been unable to develop and What roles can different actors, including the state, civil society, catch up with other countries, is because of the fact that there has national and international development partners etc. play in not been much peace in the region in general. Moreover, Pakistan Pakistan, to combat these challenges? has also pursued certain policies which have caused more harm than good. So, while certain things have been imposed on the country as I think each has a major role to play. Collectively, they should try to a consequence of being part of this region, others have been self- feed each other and supplement each other's efforts. They also need imposed, without much realization of the consequences. to play their independent role. For this purpose, the civil society needs to energize itself which requires leadership and a nucleus and I think development is extremely important, irrespective of the state nodal points from where civil societies can emerge, not just from the of peace. If development ensues that would render more peace in cities but also rural areas. A strong civil society will exert pressure on the region itself, given people will be satisfied with the economy and parliamentarians and institutions, and will also be able to influence their living standards. policies, given they are in direct contact with the people.
Ofcourse there is the case of Sri Lanka whereby development and Development partners bring in parallels from other countries who peace did not go hand in hand. There are several reasons for that. can aid in funding, or help spread awareness from their lessons One is that Sri Lankan society, geographically also, were split apart, learnt. For this to genuinely ensue, better interaction and integration so development happened irrespective. The other was that Sri is required. Lankans have generally been a very peaceful nation and have also given a lot of importance to education. This as a result helped its What policies and plans are required to move forward to sustain economy, subsequently bringing about political stability, despite peace and nurture it to contribute to positive development in being embroiled in a long-term conflict. the country?
What challenges do you see in Pakistan with regards to peace First and foremost, it is essential to develop harmonious relation- and development? ships with other countries, especially our neighbours. My own experience over the years has shown me that indulging in 'super I think political stability is very important. The political parties and power rivalries' benefits no one ultimately. Who Pakistan aligns itself government need to make sure that they activate and actualize the with should be well thought out. However, for a nation to truly political system in Pakistan. The democratic system is not being progress, a self-generating and self-sustainable economy is key. actualized, the parliament is not active, and the Prime Minister is not Foreign support should be limited. too interested in the parliament.
17 Interview
say that again
“...The government's top priority should be economic stability, economic development and economic prosperity. This will bring peace that will foster further economic development. “ Dr. Ashfaque Hasan Khan Principal and Dean School of Social Sciences and Humanities National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
Peace and development are two oft used together terms. What ment. This may be the state's prime responsibility and while they are in your opinion is the relationship between the two? conscious about it, they cannot handle such matters alone. This is where other actors will have to play their role. Like civil society, our There is a very strong relationship between peace and development own people, the academia, students especially. Students must play and when we say peace, we mean security. According to Robert their role positively, given they have such fluent access to technol- Matnamara, former president of the World Bank and also former ogy and social media. They should be aware on not only how to use secretary of defence of the United States, “Security or peace means this to the country's benefit, but also which external information to development and without development there is no peace or absorb. security.” So, they are very strongly intertwined with each other. Similarly, the role of international development partners is very Paul Kennedy, a renowned historian, said that a nation's military crucial. They provide financial and technical support to the govern- strength depends on its economic strength. How can a country ment in development. They are indeed playing their roles by enhance its economic strength? Through peace, which will bring providing this kind of assistance and giving opportunities to our development, development meaning economic development, and younger generation, to work with them and educate them about this will ensure strong national security and defence. Hence, there global scenarios. We are grateful to them for contributing to peace exists a very strong relationship between peace and development. and development in Pakistan.
What challenges do you see in Pakistan with regards to peace What policies and plans are required to move forward to sustain and development? peace and nurture it to contribute to positive development in the country? Pakistan is living in a very disturbed neighborhood which has direct consequences to peace in the region and peace in Pakistan. We have First and foremost, the economy should be strengthened. The a western border where there has been no peace for the last three to government's top priority should be economic stability, economic four decades. This instability has caused a lot of challenges. development and economic prosperity. This will bring peace that will foster further economic development. For a country like Similarly, we have an eastern border where again there are ongoing Pakistan, our economy should be growing by 7-8 percent per challenges, which resonate internally and cause internal conflicts. annum. If it is not growing at this rate, then, achieving or ensuring These create internal insecurities and cause a negative impact upon peace, development and prosperity will remain a pipe dream. our economy. Economy is now the new battlefield and all stakeholders will have to fight to win this battle. The war on terror, which Pakistan has been actively fighting for since the last two decades, has also caused heavy losses and a hefty price From 2002 till 2007 were considered better years in terms of the for the country. Adversaries of Pakistan continue to cause internal country's economic prosperity. During this time period, the entire confusions and instability, their main aim being to disturb peace that objective of the government was to enhance the size of the economy impacts upon development outcomes. While the government and so that everybody could get their share. It is only when there is an the military continue to maintain stability in the country, challenges inequality in terms of opportunities and resources is peace dis- are far and wide and will require time and a thought out strategy to turbed. bring under control. Following the year 2007, there was seen a lot of political unrest in the What roles can different actors, including the state, civil society, country owing to exacerbating inequalities. Internal stability is a national and international development partners etc. play in thriving environment for external pests who are looking for Pakistan, to combat these challenges? opportunities to destabilize our internal structures. Hence, in essence, ensuring that everyone gets a 'fair share of the cake' is It is the prime responsibility of the state to ensure peace and stability integral to ensuring peace and development in the country. in the country because that is the prerequisite for peaceful develop-
18 Youth Voices
How do you view the relationship between peace and development in Pakistan? How can the youth participate in the conversation?
If development means building infrastructure, better economic performance and higher living standards, then this might lead to peace in Pakistan. As employment will lead to greater purchasing power and higher self- con dence, this will result into reduced violence and crime rate. Lately, the culture of entrepreneurship has popped up in Pakistan. It is great to see young entrepreneurs doing phenomenal things and providing jobs for the people of Pakistan.
Sunnya Ashfaq
Community Executive
Peace and development are not mutually exclusive. Pakistan is a classic example of an increasingly deteriorating security situation that has led to a crippling economy. With 64 percent of people in Pakistan under 30, as per a UNDP report, the youth can play a vital role in the correction of this problem by being ambassadors of change, both domestically and internationally, and taking charge of the situation.
Shehryar Hassan
Management Trainee Officer
Our previous generations have taken actions that have led to uncertainty and disrupted peace not only in Pakistan but within and across countries and communities, worldwide. As stakeholders in the future and in our world today, the youth-especially Millennials and GenZ-have the tolerance and drive to accept change, include disadvantaged communities and work towards con ict resolution and subsequently, encourage an environment of growth and development.
Zara Raheem
Research Assistant
19 The presence of peace and development in Pakistan, in my opinion, has always been represented by our youth from advocating women rights through campaigns, to starting charities for the underprivileged and creating a job market through their entrepreneurship.
Fatima Shozib
Researcher
Each individual has their own unique role to play in helping to sustain peace and using it to foster development. While the 'numbers' of the youth offer promise to address challenges in Pakistan, it can only do so provided it is trained adequately and given the option to participate in the conversation.
Adil Faqqi
Online Strategist
In my opinion peace and development have a two way relationship: peace encourages development and vice versa. Pakistan as a state remains in a turmoil when it comes to this concept. Over the years, the concept of peace has slowly diminished here with ever increasing political and socio-economic problems. We as a nation need to re-align our focus on the right things, things that contribute towards community development. The youth can transform this discrepancy between peace and development by creating an environment of tolerance, where minorities are heard and protected, where the disadvantaged are given equal opportunities as the advantaged.
Hiba Hassan
Digital Marketing Executive
20