News Item - Panel Discussion | Cities, Peacebuilding & Statebuilding
On 7 October 2014, the Knowledge Platform for Security and Rule of Law, UN-Habitat, The Hague Institute for Global Justice and Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict(GPPAC) hosted a panel discussion entitled ‘Cities, Peacebuilding and Statebuilding’. The panel was composed of distinguished experts on local governance and policy makers such as the mayors of Kabul and Gjacova, the former Mayor of Kigali, the Deputy Minister for Local Governance of Palestine and leading figures from The Forum for Cities in Transition, GGPAC and VNG International. The discussion addressed pivotal questions such as how empowered cities can play a more effective role in preventing and mitigating violent conflict and in which ways the international community and the central state can support and enhance governance at the local level. There was also a particular focus on exploring the potential role of mayors in strengthening the relationship between civil society and the state during processes of peacebuilding and statebuilding.
The link between the close proximity of mayors and civic leadership to the people , and ensuring their inclusion in peacebuilding and statecraft was a common theme throughout the panel discussion. As suggested by Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, Deputy Executive Director of UN Habitat and former Mayor of Kigali, the role of a mayor, in a city divided by ethnic tensions and sectarian violence is being the “interface, being the voice, being the ear closest to the people”.
It was also noted that despite the fact that local government and civil society are often those who enable a society to overcome and transform situations of violent conflict, the international community in recent times has tended to prioritize building peace and advancing development through top-down approaches and centralized states.
The discussion moreover examined the main challenges for mayors and policy makers at the city municipal level. As Mayor Muhammad Yunus Nawandish, of Kabul, noted, one of the most pressing issues that cities face is the lack of critical infrastructures, including housing, transport and environmental systems, often exacerbated by rapid urbanization and high levels of bureaucracy, corruption and insecurity. Crucial steps for local government to take in terms of statebuilding, are ensuring stable security and finances. It was argued that stability in terms of security and economic resources are mutually reinforcing. As an example, Mayor Nawandish recalled his decision to invest in street lighting in Kabul which helped increase security within the city while at the same time enabling citizens to work later in the day, supporting the growth of Kabul’s economy. Palestinian Assistant Deputy Minister for Local Government, Dr. Tawifq Bdeiri noted, however, that peacebuilding should come before statebuilding, because peace is a precondition for economic development and flourishing institutions.
Another point underlined by Dr. Bdeiri was the critical importance of building confidence and trust by working with citizens, and civil society organizations to ensure there is a multi-level approach to reconciliation. This is by no means an easy task as Mayor Mimoza Kisari-Lila of Gjakova, and the first female mayor in Kosovo, stated that one of the toughest obstacles to overcome during reconciliation were the perceptions and mindset of citizens after war, especially when national minorities coexist and when ethnic or cultural tensions undermine social cohesion.
The panelists also raised the importance of such divided, and fragile cities working together and exchanging knowledge and best practices. Whilst cooperating with civil society, NGOs and central government is of the upmost importance, Professor Padraig O’Malley, Director of The Forum for Cities in Transition, elaborated upon the basic concept that “divided societies coming out of conflict, share certain common behavioral characteristics that normal societies do not have” and therefore they are in a distinctive position to help each other. The international community can assist with such collaborative endeavors by providing platforms for cities to build links, shared visions, identities and a joint belief that cooperation provides local government with the best opportunities to contribute to a sustainable, peaceful state.
Overall, the panel discussion provided excellent insights into the opportunities and challenges facing conflict, and post-conflict cities in their peace and statebuilding efforts. As reiterated by many of the panel members, peacebuilding starts at the local level and therefore leaders at the local level should not wait for central government, or the international community, to take action. Instead, they should utilize the responsibility and resources that they have at their disposal to facilitate change, while at the same time addressing the delicate balance of cooperation and working from a multi-level approach.
Co-hosted by The Hague Institute for Global Justice, and GPPAC | Venue: The Hague Institute for Global Justice