UNDP Crisis Prevention and Recovery Programme

Towards Peaceful Development, Reconciliation and Recovery in Central Sulawesi
 

First steps towards peace

Conflict only creates more suffering

As a society that has been disturbed by nearly four years of violent conflict, the district of Poso in Central Sulawesi is only starting to return to peace. Landmark steps have been taken to achieve this. Representatives of the conflicting parties signed a peace agreement, known as the Malino Declaration, in December 2001. As a result of this agreement and ongoing efforts from both sides, the province is now experiencing an environment conducive to reconciliation and recovery.

In response to the positive developments in the Malino peace process, and in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare, UNDP began a preparatory assistance project in 2003. This project is providing initial support the recovery and reconciliation process, as well as carrying out assessments and planning for the design of a longer-term programme in Central Sulawesi in support of sustainable peace and development.

First one step, then another

The preparatory assistance phase includes a number of components to bolster the capacity of government and non-governmental bodies in support of the Malino peace process, and to empower communities to identify and address their needs.

The first component emphasizes strengthening the capacity of local actors to maintain the peace process and carry it forward. UNDP’s efforts are focusing on supporting the Task Forces established under the Malino process. This support includes efforts to enhance their planning processes, develop benchmarks for progress in reconciliation, and increase the commitment of local civil society actors to non-violent conflict resolution.

For the second component of the project, UNDP is working with the local Tadulako University to undertake an analysis of the causes and dynamics of the conflict, using UNDP conflict analysis tools. The process of this analysis is intended to enhance the policy dialogue between government, civil society and academia towards better understanding what needs to be done to reduce the risk of future violent conflict. The third component is supporting local communities to identify their recovery and reconciliation needs, and providing a grant programme to implement small projects to meet those needs.

Staying attuned to local needs

A number of steps are being taken to ensure that current efforts enhance prospects for peace and minimize prospects for contributing to further tensions. Participatory processes are being supported to ensure that a wide range of stakeholders are actively involved in the planning and delivery of the project. Likewise, the participation of a wide range of stakeholders in analyzing the causes of conflict will not only help to develop tailor-made responses, but will help to build consensus on key issues and ways to move forward. It is through efforts such as these that UNDP can best build confidence in the peace process and promote its longer-term success.