Statements and Speeches

Launching of Peace and Development Analysis Resource Pack

Welcome Remarks by Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son, UNDP Country Director

Jakarta, 18 October 2005

Distinguished Pak Ikwanudin, Chairman of the Conflict Working Group in Bappenas;
Pak Luky Eko Wuryanto, Deputy for Regional Development and Local Autonomy, Bappenas;
Professor Dr. Retno S. Sudibyo, Vice-Rector UGM;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of UNDP, in partnership with Bappenas and the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies of the University of Gaya Mada present the PDA Series. These publications bring together the work undertaken between UNDP, Bappenas and local governments in collaboration with Indonesian Universities and NGOs to link more effectively conflict reduction, peace building and development responses. The series consist of a Resource Pack for conflict sensitive planning aimed at development practitioners, a series of five thematic assessments and five Peace and Development Analysis Reports together with reports resulting from a number of consultations.

The Peace and Development Analysis project is an initiative of Bappenas and UNDP to identify factors that have contributed to violence, gain a deeper understanding of conflict and peace dynamics and create spaces for dialogue amongst key stakeholders. Early in 2004, it was apparent that while violence had rescinded in many parts of Indonesia, the scars of conflict continued to pose a barrier to development. The efforts of National and local governments, multi-lateral agencies and civil society to respond to the impacts of conflicts addressed much of the humanitarian crisis but were not always sustainable at the local level. Responses did not generate sustainable reconciliation or the best conditions for local economic development. Furthermore, the root causes of violence were not sufficiently addressed leaving behind a fragile peace. This awareness, lead to a decision by Bappenas, to initiate a programme of policy analysis and policy dialogue which would provide a deeper understanding of conflict contexts in different provinces in Indonesia. The PDA project was designed to create spaces for dialogue amongst key stake-holders and to define priorities agreed upon, by consensus, and which could be the basis for development planning for local authorities and development donors. The objective was to identify responses and development strategies that enhanced social cohesion and reconciliation through development.

The PDA process was implemented primarily in Maluku, North Maluku and Central Sulawesi with complementary activities for NTT, Central and West Kalimantan and a national seminar. Many are the lessons from the PDA are encapsulated in the reports. Of particular importance is the acknowledgement that economic development alone is not sufficient to transform the conditions that once lead to violence. Consulted communities and stakeholders highlighted that creating peaceful environments also requires:

• The need to understand the very diverse local contexts and adapt development initiatives with a coherent development and peace-building approach to planning and programming in post conflict areas. Consultations highlighted the importance of going beyond economic and social development to build up social capital and reconciliation;
• The need to focus on security institutions was one of the three concerns highlighted by stakeholders in all 7 consultations. Individuals and representatives of social groups including religious groups stressed the importance of providing effective security and law enforcement with strong legal institutions that upheld the rule of law, protect and promote human rights.
• The importance of ensuring a balance between reconciliation efforts and justice. Consultations highlighted that access to justice for affected individuals, groups and communities in post conflict areas is also at the top of the agenda and perceived as essential for reparation;
• Resolving the situation of IDPs in a fair and satisfactory manner, through transparent inclusive and consultative processes and free of corruption was seen as the entry point and key to create conditions for sustainable social cohesion and reconciliation;
• The importance to build upon local capacities for peace such as the contribution of women and young people and to ensure processes include groups whose voice has been silent in formal peace processes;
• The importance of creating effective inter-governmental coordination and flexible central-local budgetary transfers that enable local governments to own responses that are locally defined.

Ultimately, what we learned in the PDA is that what we do is not as important as how we do it. Rebuilding of war-torn communities can open a door towards creating new more democratic societies where horizontal inequalities are reduced.

UNDP is responding to the outcomes of the PDA in a variety of ways. The Peace through Development Programme for Maluku, North Maluku and Central Sulawesi, in particular is a 3 year project undertaken in partnership with Bappenas. This project aims to promote local economic development, reconciliation and social cohesion through direct support to local governments, by opening up spaces for greater interface between communities and local governments and the provision of grants for locally planned activities. In support for this project and in partnership with the WB's SPADA Programme and Bakti, UNDP is developing a pilot project in the three provinces to build leadership capacities for women and representational capacity for women's organizations. UNDP is committed to boost the participation of women in local processes and build upon their considerable strength and contributions to peace building.

At national level, UNDP is working with Bappenas on the implementation of the Crisis Management Law; the development of tools for local government to integrate conflict and peace dynamics into planning processes and, supporting capacity development on conflict analysis for national and district level government officials. Together with the WB and the DSF, UNDP has initiated a comprehensive policy analysis and policy dialogue programme on decentralization and conflict. This initiative will help develop recommendations for local and national governments on the specific aspects of decentralization in post-conflict districts and will lead to the design of pilot projects that could be scaled up at a later stage.

The signing of the MoU between the GoI and the GAM, represents a most important historical moment which will pave the wave for a comprehensive reconstruction of Aceh with lasting peace. It also marks the end of a short but intense period of conflicts in Indonesia. Together with other donors, UNDP is working with Bappenas and local governments on the implementation of the MoU, supporting key aspects of the demobilization and reintegration of GAM and the socialization of the agreement amongst the Acehnese. The programme of work also includes a range of activities in support of the TimSocialisasi including work with local media, NGOs and religious organizations, cultural events, civic education in schools. In addition UNDP will continue to support local elections and a comprehensive rehabilitation and of the justice sector in post conflict zones.

Today Indonesia is facing a different future, one where there is greater stability and a commitment by the government to sustain the peace and create the conditions for development and implementation of the MDGs. Lessons from Indonesia and elsewhere point out to the importance of working with all relevant stakeholders, on ensuring the root causes of violence are addressed and the factors that once lead to violence are progressively removed.

We hope that the many lessons learned in the context of the PDA process can be built upon and implemented by all in Aceh. Incorporating the lessons of the PDA into future responses, requires vigilance, understanding of the contexts, better linkages between development and security responses and, above all strong and transparent institutions with inclusive processes. UNDP will continue to partner with the government in these efforts.

Thank you very much.