Written evidence submitted by the BOND Conflict Policy Group

 

The BOND Conflict Policy Group is made up of BOND members who have interest, experience and expertise working in conflict-affected countries. It is from this perspective that we write this letter, which should be seen as complementing members' individual submissions to the International Development Committee's inquiry into DFID's July 2009 White Paper, Eliminating World Poverty: Building Our Common Future.

 

From the perspective of addressing violent conflict, there is a great deal to celebrate in DFID's White Paper.

 

As well as highlighting the need for the UK to pay greater attention to 'conflict-affected and fragile states', the paper also recognises that the way the UK approaches development in these countries must itself be appropriate to the challenges they face.

And so it recognises that building responsive and accountable states is fundamental. It places a welcome emphasis on promoting fair and effective security and justice provision, supporting adaptation to climate change, targeting development assistance at the root causes of conflict and supporting peace processes.

 

The White Paper is also candid about some of the shortcomings of previous approaches to development in conflict and commits the UK to using more political analysis, incorporating peace and security considerations in its development partnerships, ensuring a joined up approach across Whitehall and leading reform of the international system.

 

All this is right for supporting countries to move permanently away from violence and towards broader, sustainable development. But the White Paper fails to recognise the full implications of its own policy direction.

 

The challenge for DFID - and indeed the rest of HMG - will now be how it puts into practice this fundamentally new approach to conflict-affected and fragile states. It will mean, for instance, finding new ways to train, support and encourage DFID staff to work 'politically', on issues that some may not have expertise or experience in, and in contexts with high levels of risk for personnel and their projects, and the UK's reputation and relationships.

 

Achieving lasting change will require the UK to support the development of societal norms and values suitable to each country context and set appropriate political change goals. And so it will need to evaluate impact over a timeframe measured in decades and across domestic political cycles, not only discrete project goals or other short-term impact assessments.

 

The White Paper also emphasises the importance of accountability and state-citizen relations in promoting a holistic approach to state-building. We welcome this perspective, but it raises challenges in light of recent trends in DFID's aid spending, which has shifted towards increased use of direct budgetary support and a focus on building central government institutions. Neither is the coherence between UK decisions to pursue direct budgetary support and respect of conflict sensitivity, human rights or good governance norms always clear.

 

And while enhanced policy coherence across Whitehall is desirable, it is not in of itself a policy goal: peace, security and development priorities in recipient countries should be seen as an essential component of, rather than a supplement to, the UK's other foreign policy interests.

 

It will also be important to ensure that this more effective way of delivering long-term development assistance does not prevent the delivery of impartial and independent immediate assistance to meet humanitarian need arising from conflicts or natural disasters.

 

In summary, the approach to conflict-affected and fragile countries outlined by DFID's White Paper is a welcome move in the right direction. But lying behind many of the commitments is a wealth of complexity that we urge the committee to draw out and examine in detail.

 

The members of the BOND Conflict Policy Group look forward to the IDC's inquiry and would be happy to further clarify any of the issues raised in this letter.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Howard Mollet, Humanitarian Policy Advisor, CARE International UK; current Chair of BOND Conflict Policy Group

Robert Parker, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Saferworld

Dan Smith, Secretary General, International Alert

Ruchi Tripathi, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Concern Worldwide UK