The recognition of the relationship between ‘good governance’ and ‘development’ originally led to a preference in donor policies for countries which could demonstrate ‘good governance’. However, it is increasingly acknowledged that fragile states need support too: to encourage peace-orientated and development-minded forces, and to avoid or contain the negative impact that insecurity in one country sooner or later has on neighbouring countries. In 2005, the UN adopted the principle of ‘responsibility to protect’. This principle means that the sovereignty of states implies their responsibility to protect their citizens. If a state does not or cannot protect its citizens from heavy violence and killing, the international community has the right and even the obligation to intervene.

As a result, an integrated approach on security and development has been introduced. It focuses on the relationship between state-building issues and providing the necessary security for citizens on the one hand, and on development as a basis for legitimacy of public institutions on the other hand. Security in this concept is no longer an exclusively military or police issue. Human security has to do with the way in which a society is organised, how traditional patterns of leadership, justice, decision-making, combine with modern or newly introduced forms of public administration. It has also got to do with replacing war economies and creating the basis for normal economic production and trade relations, thus providing the security needed for investments and economic and social development. What role can local governments play in this approach? How do they relate with other formal or informal local structures? Do local governments have a ‘responsibility to protect’ towards the citizens in their own city, district or region? What specific possibilities do they have to provide security and contribute to development?

The round table will provide the opportunity to learn about the concepts and the approaches of donors, and compare them with the views and experiences of local governments.

 

Moderator
Jelte van Wieren, Fragility and Peace-Building Unit, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Speakers
Ivor Wells, International Development Officer, Local Government Association, United Kingdom

 

Miguel Bermeo, Deputy of the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery UNDP BCPR

 

Alexandre Marc, Lead Specialist Conflict, Crime and Violence, World Bank

 

Arne Musch, Senior Project Manager VNG International (The Netherlands)

 

Bruce Baker, Professor of African Security, Coventry University, UK

 

Thomas Parks, Regional Director for Governance and Conflict programs, The Asia Foundation

 

Abdul Ahad Sahebi, Mayor of Kabul (Afghanistan)

 

Ronald W. Johnson, PhD, RTI International