1. A social cohesion perspective to address fragility

2. Fragility analysis
A state capacity to navigate through period of instability is based on two factors :
the capacity of its population to cooperate and
the ability of the institutions
Many fragility analysis focus on the social contract and vertical state-society relationship (institutional approach) undermining the factors shaping the horizontal dynamics within society (societal approach)

3. Social cohesion
Social cohesion is based on the social capital of individuals, i.e. their ability to interact with others to the benefit of society as a whole.
Better equiped to navigate through instability (South Korea)
Resilient state can rely on strong social bonds, trust & informal institutions
Somaliland versus Somalia
Tunisia versus Syria / Libya
South Africa

4. Social contract & social covenants
Social contrat
Social cohesion
State buidling
Society building
Government
coexistence
Power and how it is to be handled within a political framework
How people live together despite differences
Laws and their reinforcment
Values we share
Used of potential cohersive force
Moral commitments, values we share & the ideas that inspire us to work together for the sake of the common good

5. For UCLG, social cohesion is grounded on five axes:
Belonging as opposed to isolation, which refers to the notion of common values, identity and sense of commitment;
Inclusion, as opposed to exclusion, which refers to equality of opportunity
Participation, as opposed to non-commitment;
Recognition, as opposed to rejection, which refers to respect and tolerance in pluralistic societies;
Legitimacy, as opposed to illegitimacy, which refers to institutions
Right base approach : local perception of injustice

6. Public policy of social inclusion

7. What can DP/outsiders do ?
Complements social contracts with social cohesion to gradually build trust
Focus on society-society relationship
Outside mediator to gradually build trust, bring in more parties, find creative solutions and compromises & design new ways of governing
Technical assistance for institutional reforms
Similar countries experiences to deal with challenges (context specific)
Support respect of the agreement and rule of law

8. Questions How can DP support social cohesion ?
What are the challenges in supporting social cohesion ?
Can decentralisation helps to strenghten social cohesion ? More scope to leverage social cohesion (asymmetrical federalism)
Sharing of experiences on social cohesion?
What can DeloG do ?