The Role of Alternative Development in Drug Control and Development Cooperation

The Role of Alternative Development in Drug Control and Development Cooperation International Conference 07 - 12 January 2002 Feldafing (Munich) / Germany 1 Dear Readers, this is the download-version of the documentation of the International Conference on the Role of Alternative Development in Drug Control and Development Cooperation 7 - 12 January 2002 in Feldafing/Munich. For the printed version, please contact the editors (adresses see Page 34). 2 perts from the South, from Asia and on AD for Southeast Asia (organised drug economies could only be done Preface Latin America, as very valuable since by UNDCP in February in Laos). The in a sustainable manner by ap- it was a unique opportunity. Fruitful regional conference planned for the proaching drug-related problems The international conference on Al- discussions and well focussed team- Andean countries for September through development cooperation. ternative Development (AD) which work in relevant subjects laid the 2002 in Lima is modelled on the This major challenge can only be was held at a lovely place at the DSE- foundation for updating the existing Feldafing conference. mastered by sharing the respective Centre for Food, Rural Development concept of Alternative Development Recent history after September 11, efforts among the international and the Environment (ZEL) in and for forming strategic alliances. 2001 has clearly shown that illicit community. Feldafing at Lake Starnberg in Upper Objectives of the conference were drug production has strong connec- Bavaria was a very worthwhile in- also reached by utilising conference tions to political instability and to We sincerely hope that the outcome vestment. We would like to express results for the drafting of the resolu- poverty. The conference concluded of this conference will have con- our appreciation to every organisa- tion on Alternative Development that developing alternatives to illicit structive long-term effects. tion and individual expert who at- which was submitted to the UN tended the conference and contrib- Commission on Narcotic Drugs by uted actively. We enjoyed excellent Germany together with Columbia, cooperation with the United Nations Bolivia, Peru and Denmark and ap- International Drug Control Pro- proved on 15 March 2002. Results of gramme (UNDCP). We consider the the Feldafing conference were also Erich Stather Ulrich Popp Wolfgang Schmitt exchange of experiences among ex- utilised by the regional conference Permanent Secretary, BMZ Director General, DSE Director General, GTZ Economic Dimensions of Alternative Development Profitable Alternatives are Needed to Stop and Prevent Illegal Behaviour 18 Table of Contents Land Tenure Issues are a Central Point 18 (Results Working Group “Land Tenure”) The Feldafing Declaration Reality and Myth of Drug Cultivation in Afghanistan 19 Background and complete Text 4 Build on Livelihood Strategies, Seek Alliances with Local Leaders 20 Next Steps (Results Working Group “Livelihood Strategies for Strategies and Common Actions 6 Drug Crop Cultivators) Opening of the Conference The Role of Infrastructure and Public Services: Extracts of the Opening Speeches: A Double-Edged Subject 21 (Results Working Group “Infrastructure and Services”) Marion Caspers-Merk: “One of the Major Challenges” 8 Sumru Noyan: “A Cross-Cutting Issue” 8 Social Aspects of Alternative Development Meaningful Dialogue with People Ulrich Popp: “Exchange for Learning” 8 Requires Acceptance as Partners 22 Hans-Jochen de Haas: “Closely Related Problems” 9 Local Knowledge is an Important Resource 22 Wolfgang Schmitt: “No Quick Solutions” 9 (Results Working Group “Building on Own Resources”) Community Empowerment Covers all Social Groups 23 Concept of the Conference (Results Working Group “Community Participation A Successful Combination of and Alliances”) Conference and Workshop 10 Persuasive Arguments for Alternative Development 11 The NGO Perspective Critical Assessment of Alternative Development, The Conference Achievements in Brief 11 but Hopes for an Honest Debate 24 International Drug Control Policy Strategies The UNDCP Action Plan: Results of Working Groups: A Summary of Consensus Views 12 Conceptual Conclusions for AD Strategies 26 Two Separate Entities, but a Common Goal 13 Forming Strategic Alliances among Actors (Results Working Group “Balanced Approach of in Development Cooperation 26 Alternative Development and Law Enforcement”) Recommendations for Political Decision-Makers 27 Political Framework Conditions for Alternative Development Global Learnings and Regional Differences A Determinant Factor for Success and Failure Regional Workshop Asia: of AD Projects: The Political Framework 14 Summary and Conclusions 28 Project-Success Needs Political Will at all Levels 15 Top Producer: Afghanistan 29 (Results Working Group “Good Governance”) Andean Regional Workshop: Summary and Conclusions 30 Alternative Development and Conflict Management Recommendations for Updating A New Theme: AD and Conflict Management 16 and Improving AD Concepts 31 Effective Participation Contributes to Human Rights 17 Photo-Impressions of the Conference 32 (Results Working Group “Human Rights and Conflict Management”) The Organizers / Imprint / More Information 34 3 The Feldafing Declaration: Background Negative effects caused by the misuse, trafficking and production of illicit drugs have become a growing concern of both governments and civil society, and triggered drug policies that may have led to harmful effects. Drug trafficking has led to the corruption of state and civil society institu- tions. The considerable revenues generated by the illicit drugs industry have led to the concentration of power, wealth and income, distorted macro-economic indicators and constrained productive in- vestment. Increasing levels of drug misuse have led to a loss in human capital and imposed a particular burden on women who have typically had to meet the social and economic costs of addiction within the family. Illicit drug crops have tended to ate. This approach became known as Alternative Alternative Development is now an internationally be cultivated in remote areas, exacerbating levels Development and has been the preferred model accepted component of supply-side policy of socio-economic, environmental and military for the reduction of illicit drug crop cultivation. although there is consensus that the production of conflict. Moreover, illicit drug crop cultivators typi- drugs cannot be addressed by Alternative Develop- cally have poor access to health, education and are The Action Plan on International Cooperation on ment alone. Experience has shown that Alterna- particularly vulnerable to the threat of violence the Eradication of Illicit Drug Crops and on Alterna- tive Development has often succeeded in eliminat- and intimidation. tive Development, adopted by the United Nations ing illicit drug crops whilst at the same time im- General Assembly’s Twentieth Special Session in proving the living conditions within the project Over the last thirty years there have been a 1998 stipulates Alternative Development: area. The chances of success are particularly high number of development interventions aimed at where specific political and economic framework reducing illicit drug crop cultivation. Initial efforts ”as a process to prevent and eliminate the illicit conditions are fulfilled and law enforcement sought to replace opium poppy and coca with cultivation of plants containing narcotic drugs measures are considered as a complementary el- other crops that were equally profitable. This ap- and psychotropic substances through specifically ement whose implementation is made dependent proach proved too narrow, providing limited sup- designed rural development measures in the on clearly defined conditions closely coordinated port for infrastructure, marketing and other activi- context of sustained national economic growth with the results of Alternative Development. ties required for the development of viable alterna- and sustainable development efforts in coun- tives. Later initiatives adopted a more integrated tries taking action against drugs, recognising However, there is recognition that the results of approach providing support for both physical and the particular socio-cultural characteristics of Alternative Development could be improved. Con- social infrastructure, strengthening local institu- the target communities and groups, within the cerns over the impact of Alternative Development tions and promoting alternative cropping systems framework of a comprehensive and permanent on the lives and livelihoods of the most vulner- and income generation activities where appropri- solution to the problem of illicit drugs.” able, including women, has led to the call for strengthening the pro-poor approach of these interventions. Moreover, despite the clear improvements in living standards experienced by the majority of primary stakeholders within the target area, the priority Alternative Development interventions have measured success in terms of reductions in illicit drug crop cultivation and drug abuse rather than human development indicators, and have resulted in a failure to develop a clear understanding of ”what works.” In order to discuss the experience gained so far and to define the determinant factors for success or failure a group of about 80 experts met at the German Foundation for International Development in Feldafing, Germany on 8-12 January 2002. At the end of their deliberations the participants of the meeting

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