An Analysis of Strategic Processes for Conflict-Sensitive Reconstruction of Governance and Public Administration / Gay Rosenblum-Kumar. pp. 3-22

Governance Breakdown and Post-Conflict Reconstruction / James Katorobo. pp. 23-40

The Role of Governance and Public Administration in Developing a Foundation for Participatory, Peace-Sustaining Governance / Michael J. Meyer. pp. 41-61

Reconstructing Governance and Public Administration Institutions for Effective, Conflict-Sensitive Rule of Law / Protais Musoni. pp. 62-73

Approaches, Processes and Methodologies for Reconstructing Governance and Public Administration in Post-Conflict Countries: Selected Cases of UNDESA’s Experience in Africa / John-Mary Kauzya. pp. 74-90

Reconstructing Public Service Capacity for Sustainable Recovery / Alphonse Mekolo. pp. 91-105

The long-term costs of violent conflict are incalculable, not only in terms of physical destruction
and human suffering, but also because it creates fierce and implacable enmity between
communities and shatters a nation’s vision, trust and allegiance. These are much harder and more
complex to rebuild than roads, schools or hospitals. Because the legacy is so devastating, the
international community has come to realize that it must do its utmost to avoid violent conflict.
However, when that does not succeed, they have a responsibility to reconstruct governments and
their societies in ways that ensure a viable, sustainable peace in the future. This is particularly
relevant in light of recent studies which show that the single greatest predictor of a future
outbreak of violence is prior violent conflict.
Part of post-conflict reconstruction certainly includes the rebuilding of roads and power plants,
hospitals and schools. But more importantly, it requires a deeper, holistic approach to both postconflict reconstruction and the prevention of conditions that would fuel a recurrence of violence –
an approach that would move beyond narrow, short-term, technical or political considerations to
one that takes into account and addresses the multi-dimensional, long-term structural causes of
conflict. Such an approach would then formulate an integrated strategy for re-establishing
government, alleviating poverty, reducing horizontal inequality, mitigating ethnic animosity,
empowering disadvantaged groups and equalizing access to resources and opportunity. Such a
reconstruction strategy aims well beyond the avoidance or cessation of violence or technical
reconstituting of structures. It focuses on creating the social, economic, political and governance
foundations and conditions that lead to sustainable peace.