Global Issues Seminar Series: Conflict and Development Introduction of participating sites – 10 minutes Conflict and development: what’s new; issues; challenges: Kaz Kuroda – 15 minutes; Question & Answers: 35 minutes; Comments: G. Pourchot – 10 minutes; Comments: Ioannis Stivachtis – 10 minutes; Questions & Answers – 40 mintues.

Conflict and Development

“I sometimes joke that it’s not a secret that my nomination was controversial.”  “That the Board agreed on it unanimously was, I think, a very good sign. And quite seriously I think it’s a sign that development is a unifying mission.” Paul Wolfowitz Message to Bank Staff June 1, 2004

An Evolving Agenda World Bank founded in 1947 as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 1990s: International environment is increasingly complex. 80% of the world’s 20 poorest countries suffered from major violent conflict in the past 15 years. 1995: OP/BP 8.50 on Emergency Recovery Assistancefocus on restoring assets and production levels in the disrupted economy, rather than relief or consumption. World Bank intervention in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina laid framework for what has become current operational policy on conflict and development.

Conflict and Development: Overview - Conflict is inherent in all societies - Types, characteristics and economic implications Almost all internal Most in low-income countries, particularly in Africa Ripple effects global Economic cost: $54 billion Conflict sensitive development, among others to minimize conflict risks

Evolving conflict/development agenda Major UN peacekeeping/peace operations and post conflict reconstruction efforts in 1990’s and early 2000’s Improved harmonization among donors, the UN, the World Bank, civil society organizations, etc, in post conflict reconstruction Conflict prevention as a development issue: operational prevention and structural prevention. “If war is the worst enemy of development, healthy and balanced development is the best form of conflict prevention.” Kofi Annan, UNSG, 1999.

Paul Collier’s research on the economics of civil war: Primary commodity exports increases risk of conflict by four routes: financing rebels, worsening corruption, increasing the incentive for secession, and increasing exposure to shocks. High rate of unemployed youth has a significant correlation with conflict onset Feasible actions could be taken to substantially reduce the global incidence of civil conflicts. Human security Sadako Ogata and Amartya Sen: Security of individuals ensuring that they are free from fear and from want. National security inadequate with its military focus on protecting territorial integrity.

Issues, actions and challenges UN Peace-building Commission 2005 World Summit established; now to get started but how? Security and development No peace /no conflict but general insecurity Security sector reform Conflict sensitive development Conflict analysis tool to better understand the roots of conflict (i.e. systematically identifying key factors affecting conflict; providing analysis of each factor; highlighting priority problem areas and opportunities)

Conflict agenda and World Bank One quarter of member countries conflict affected (each requiring its own treatment; assisting in in-conflict areas) No longer conflict OR development WB is a key player, in concert with other stakeholders in post conflict reconstruction ‘Not business as usual’ business WB is introducing new ways and tools to meet challenges Addressing fragile states

please consult our website: For more information, please consult our website: www.worldbank.org/conflict or contact us at cpr@worldbank.org