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Issue 28: November-December 2003

WIDER launches publications
on post-conflict reconstruction

With conflict and post-conflict reconstruction currently at the top of the international agenda,  UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) chose a propitious moment to launch a new series of publications entitled From Conflict to Reconstruction at the Commonwealth Institute, London, October 31. 

Tony Addison

"The experience of post-conflict reconstruction shows that peace may save the lives of the poor but it may do little to improve their livelihoods," according to Tony Addison, the deputy director of UNU-WIDER. "War undermines the livelihoods of the poor and this, together with the destruction of essential services, reduces the ability of poor communities to share in national recovery – if peace can be secured."

But there is also no guarantee that a broad-based economic recovery will achieve lasting peace since those who profit from war may be willing to rip up any peace deal and return to war when political and economic reforms threaten their interests.

"There is no single lever that can be pulled to achieve peace: a focus on broad-based recovery must be accompanied by resolute efforts to tackle those who profit from war, and this needs international action—especially on money laundering and the arms trade." says Addison.

The publications presented at the London event are:

• From Conflict to Recovery in Africa, edited by Tony Addison

• Africa's Recovery from Conflict: Making Peace Work for the Poor (WIDER Policy Brief No. 6) , by Tony Addison

• Explaining Violent Conflict: Going Beyond Greed versus Grievance, special issue of the Journal of International Development, edited by Tony Addison and S. Mansoob Murshed

• Civil War in Developing Countries, special issue of the Journal of Peace Research, edited by S. Mansoob Murshed

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