Background COVID-19 compounds broader challenges of conflict, poverty, inequality, food security and stability, and deeply undermines development efforts. This is particularly true for fragile and conflict affected settings, and this is why any attempt to respond to the pandemic must go well beyond the sole emergency/humanitarian framework. Ensuring that the response provided is contextualized (and values/strengthens the local capacity), comprehensive and multidimensional is key. The Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus provides an interesting framework within which to unpack localization. Using the HDP nexus lens, the online discussion will unpack the localization agenda by discussing its key principles and how it can promote inclusive and sustainable recovery. Looking especially at fragile and (post) conflict settings where security and rule of law (SRL) remains a crucial sector and where nexus approaches for food security and stability are applied in resilience, livelihoods and markets programming. By discussing the importance of localization and understanding the different examples and evidences in practice, SRL as well as humanitarian, development partners and other stakeholders, including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be equipped with program and policy recommendations that enable effective use of COVID-19 and development related funding in the future. Based on concrete approaches tested by practitioners, the interactive discussion aims to: discuss the localization agenda by understanding what it implies in practice, why it matters (while trying to build forward together), how to define the local (legitimate voices) and how to value and strengthen the local resilience; identify emerging operational challenges of its implementation; and identify specific recommendations for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, multilateral institutions and civil society actors. To this end, the workshop will bring together key staff of the Dutch MFA, implementing partners from the Department of Stability and Humanitarian Aid (DSH) as well as researchers working on both SRL and humanitarian issues. Agenda 14:00  Welcome & introduction, KPSRL 14:05  Setting the scene: Why does localization matter for building back better, and what is the role of civil society? CARE Nederland 14:15  Story telling panel discussion: Panelists will reflect on their own experiences and will share best practices supporting localization for inclusive and sustainable recovery in fragile and conflict affected settings 14:55  Plenary Q&A, moderated by KPSRL 15:30  Wrap up & closing, KPSRL Panelists The Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) - José Jódar Vidal, Senior Technical Officer Presenting main findings and priority actions about Cash and Vouchers Assistance and localization highlighted in the State of the World Cash Report (SOWC) 2020. NORCAP - Katja Jose, Lake Chad Programme Manager & Marga Ledo, Expert, Cash Response Team/CashCap Sharing NORCAP’s approach, experience, lessons learned, challenges and “building back better” opportunities related to localization, reflecting in particular on NORCAP’s two flagship programmes – Lake Chad Basin programme and CashCap. Mercy Corps - Danielle Jolicoeur, Regional Resilience Director for Africa: Sharing approaches and experiences from the DRC and Somalia. Department of Stability and Humanitarian Aid (DSH) representative, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflecting on experiences shared by panelists. Click here for the full concept note. Image credits: Community Development Council Meething. Zaragaran Village. Mazar-e-Sharif. Citizen’s Charter Afghanistan Project. 4-6-2017. Photo: Rumi Consultancy/World Bank

Background What do you do when the foxes are guarding the henhouse? In the field of Security & Rule of Law much is known, assumed and discussed about interventions and programs that have been shown to improve justice or reduce violence and increase security. But, what can be done when violence has become part-and-parcel of a state’s political system? And how does a democratic state become increasingly complicit in violence? What can be done to bring societies back from the brink of entrenched violence?  These are some of the questions that Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, set out to explore when writing her book “Savage Order: How the world’s deadliest countries can forge a path to security”.  In this book, Dr Kleinfeld reminds us that, while the language of “failed” or “fragile” states can provoke despair, there are important examples of societies that have emerged from entrenched violence, becoming stable democracies once again – and sometimes at a surprisingly rapid pace. What lessons can be learned from looking at settings where politically-enabled violence (referred to as “privilege violence” in the book) was eventually de-escalated and societies were able to build back social trust?      The Knowledge Platform is honored to have a discussion with Dr Kleinfeld about her work, and to dig into what her findings might mean for how SRoL policy and practice can be improved, better attuned to realities on the ground. We look forward to discussing how ‘privilege violence’ comes about, how it can be recognized, and how it can be unraveled. The event also provides our community with an opportunity to critically discuss the assumptions underlying inclusive governance policies, civil society strengthening programs, and recent focus on ‘local resilience’ as pathways to stability.  Speaker Dr Rachel Kleinfeld, is a Senior Fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CIEP). At CEIP she focuses on issues of rule of law, security, and governance in post-conflict, fragile states, and states in transition. She was the founding CEO of the Truman National Security Project, where she spent close to a decade leading a movement of national security, political, and military leaders working to promote people and policies that strengthen security, stability, rights and human dignity in the world.   Objectives Gain a deeper understanding of how violence may be condoned and enabled by political actors and entrenched in democratic societies  Reflect on what can be learned from countries that have emerged from these  patterns of entrenched, state-complicit violence  Discuss how current trends in SRoL thinking could be critiqued in light of these findings, and what such critique could offer for improving SRoL policy and programming.  Registration Registration is mandatory to attend this event. Please register by e-mailing info@kpsrl.org, or by clicking the button below.