Conflict and contestation in war and post-war development:
Reflection on role of development partners in Nepal
BishnuRaj Upreti Nepal Centre for Contemporary Research Kathmandu Outline of the presentation 1. The context 2. Major contestations and conflict in post-war development 3. Rhetoric and realities of aid in development: reflections from actual implementation 4. Responses from the government 5. Conclusion Major post-war development contestations 1. donors commitments and actual implementation of development programmes 2. conceptual and theoretical understanding 3. governments policies and implementation 4. Understandings of development 5. Political parties commitments and actual delivery 6. Political ideological contestation 7. ethnic and geographical fronts 8. Others 3. Rhetoric and realities of aid in development: reflections from actual implementation 1. Commitments (Rhetoric): 1. OECD and DAC Guidelines 2. TheParis Declaration 1. ownership-development strategy from/with parliament and electorate 2. alignment- donors to support these strategies, 3. harmonization- work to streamline their efforts in-country 4. result- works to be directed to achieving goals and 5. mutual accountability- donors and recipients jointly responsible for achieving these goals) 3. Accra Agenda for Action 4. Busan Partnership/Commitment in the situations of conflict and fragility (New Deals); 2. Rhetoric's and realities of aid in development: reflection from actual implementation-2 Realities : Some examples of serious contestations over major post- conflict activities of donors (neutrality and impartiality) 1. UNMIN (United Nations Mission in Nepal): Written protest by the GoN against the UNMIN report to UNSC, NA opposed, NC opposed 2. Constitution making support to interest groups: about 120 million $ 40 % of time of CA members spent on donor funded activities (international visits, workshops, meetings etc) Numerous constitutions produced by interests groups confusion and contradictions 3. Support for inclusion [Social Inclusion Research Fund (SRIF) by Norwaycontestation as new form of exclusion 3. Rhetoric's and realities of aid in development: reflection from actual implementation-2 Realities ---2 3. Janajati Empowerment Project (JEP) for National Federation of Indigenous nationalities-Nepal (NEFIN) by DFID] IRIN Report [26/02/2013] Dissent in Nepal over the role of ethnicity in a post-conflict state has put donor agencies under increased scrutiny, with politicians and analysts accusing them of meddling, taking sides and circumventing the government to push an agenda of social cohesion. We got a lot of criticism from all sides. We took the brunt [from all sections of society including marginalized groups, citizens, media and political parties] saying we interfered or didnt do enough, said the director of DFID, in Nepal 3. Rhetoric's and realities of aid in development: reflection from actual implementation-2 Realities ---3 4. Politics of INGOs registering as national NGOs ActionAid Int. Severe objection from NGO federation Intention questioned (compete with NGOs for funding) Ministry of Home Affairs did not allow registration 5. Donors staff recruitment practice; another form of exclusion Increasing feeling of injustice Interpreted by opposition as against Nepals constitution Growing opposition 6. Formation of Caucus inside the CA and societal radicalisation from the donors support Severely questioned the intention of donors to fund for caucus Role of caucus was highly contested and dominated political process 4. Responses from government Governments new policy in dealing with development cooperation : Vikas Sahayata Niti 2071(Development Cooperation Policy 2014) 2014 April 6 14-point instructions of Chief Secretary on increasing the effectiveness of foreign assistance mobilization and utilization. Few experts assistance only for medium and big projects International consultants only for locally unavailable experts Dont put provision for financing foreign study and visits from foreign assistance funds. Dont put provision of procuring expensive, luxurious vehicles, equipments accountability of advisors and consultants to perform their tasks within scheduled time 5. Conclusions Though aid is crucially needed for post-conflict development in Nepal to achieve peace and stability, it can introduce enormous challenges and complications if not handled properly Donors in Nepal are using a framework of convenience instead of abiding by the internal commitment to aid effectiveness (Paris Principles of aid effectiveness, Accra Plan of Action and Busan Commitments have yet to translate into reality) Donors in Nepal are sharply criticised for their alleged engagement in political activities, lack of transparency and accountability and biases towards certain groups and against other groups Weak state and poor governance are the factors contributing to existing structures of donor engagement in Nepal Introspection and self-reflection is needed by aid agencies and INGOs www.securelivelihoods.org Thank you, comments and suggestions appreciated Sign up to our newsletter Follow: @SLRCtweet Contact: slrc@odi.org.uk