The Everett Post-Conflict Reconstruction Program

Overview

Post-Conflict Reconstruction (PCR) in fragile states has become a central issue for the international community.  As a result of globalization, the international system now provides unprecedented wealth and opportunity to its participating members.  Yet nations in Africa, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East (nearly half the globe) remain unable to gain access to its political, financial, or technological networks and resource flows.  More alarming is the reality that many of these fragile or failing states are prone to internal conflict, inviting human rights violations and the export of crime and terrorism.  Roughly 40 states, containing nearly one-third of the world population, are considered failed states or in danger of failing in the latest Foreign Policy Failed States Index.  The international community and nations currently engaged in post-conflict reconstruction have struggled to adopt effective stabilization and reconstruction strategies that ensure long-term success.

Purpose

Doing PCR ‘better and smarter’ will require new knowledge about what has worked in the past, why certain strategies and recovery processes have proven more durable than others, and how local culture, history, and experiences interface with externally generated peace building strategies. Likewise, successful PCR will also require a cadre of professionals and experts inculcated with this knowledge.  With the support of the David F. Everett, INSCT is working to meet the growing demand for a specialized and interdisciplinary program centered on three distinct goals:

• Prepare professionals to work in a wide range of post-conflict environments

• Conduct rigorous, cutting edge academic research in pursuit of improved PCR strategies

• Continuously engage with the growing community of experts and professionals in the PCR field to train and mentor new talent and inform ongoing research

The Everett Post-Conflict Reconstruction Program addresses a pressing need in the international arena, and it will serve to focus public attention on the need for U.S. and international policy change in war-torn areas.  The Everett Post-Conflict Reconstruction Speaker Series brings experts and practitioners to campus to contribute to this important and timely program.  Current research will build on core principles in such areas as security, conflict resolution, institution-building, governance, and rule of law.

Contact

Nick Armstrong
INSCT Research Fellow
narmstro@maxwell.syr.edu
315-443-2033

References

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Concepts and Dilemmas of State  Building in Fragile Situations: From Fragility to Resilience. October, 2008.

"Failed States Index 2009."  Foreign Policy.  Available at:  http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/the_2009_failed_states_index.

Ashraf Ghani and Clare Lockhart. Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World.  Oxford University Press, 2008.