Working Group 1: Aid, Fragile States and Conflict
Chair: Prof. Juhani Koponen (juhani.m.koponen[at]helsinki.fi)
Coordinator: Dr Lauri Siitonen (lauri.siitonen[at]jyu.fi)
The working group had three sessions, each with a loose theme. The first session included three papers which looked into the role of aid in fragile’ or ‘failing’ states, with Nepal and Somalia as the case countries. In particular, the role of faith-based (Islamic) organisations and various theories of state-building were discussed. It was also pointed out that different narratives (‘histories’) may lead to different (national) identities.
In the second session there were two papers which addressed the new aid architecture and dynamics from the point of view of new EU member states and the empirical conditions of peace and political order. Factors common to all new member states (strengths in assisting transition, weakness in knowing the really poor countries in Africa and Asia) as well as national differences were discussed. The analytical division between what is there and – from a liberal-democracy perspective – what ought to be there provoked a lively discussion on the dynamics of aid in fragile situations.
The third session saw two papers focusing on questions of good governance, with Bangladesh and Mozambique as the case countries. Definitions of good (enough) governance and different data bases and their effects on the local level were discussed.
- Proceedings by Dr Lauri Siitonen