Programme

Horn of Africa Day – 14 December 2005

'Challenges and prospects of democratizations in a zone of conflict: Rethinking the role of non-state actors and international development partners in the Horn of Africa'

Date and Venue

Date: Wednesday 14 December 2005, 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Venue: Poortgebouw (Leiden University) for plenary sessions and the neighbouring ‘chalets’ for the parallel sessions in the afternoon. The Poortgebouw is two minutes' walk from Leiden Central Station - take the LUMC exit.

Organization

The Horn of Africa Day 2005 is being organized by the (Dutch) Development Policy Review Network and the African Studies Centre (Leiden). The organizing team is:

1. Mirjam Ukpabi, tel. +31 (0)71 527 33 68, e-mail:  Oukpabi@ascleiden.nl
2. Marieke van Winden, tel. +31 (0)71 527 33 58, e-mail: Winden@ascleiden.nl
3. Jan Abbink  tel. +31 (0)71 527 33 67, e-mail: Abbink@ascleiden.nl
4. Mirjam Ros-Tonen, tel. +31 (0)20 525 4179 / 4062, e-mail: M.A.F.Ros-Tonen@uva.nl

Programme

09.30-10.00
Registration

10.00-10.10
Welcome address by Ton Dietz, co-founder of DPRN

10.10-10.15
Introduction by Jan Abbink, convener of the Horn of Africa Day

10.15-11.00
Keynote address by Roland Marchal, research fellow at CNRS/CERI, Paris

11.00-11.30
Keynote address by Martin Doornbos ISS, The Hague

11.30-12.15
Questions and plenary discussion moderated by Jos van Beurden

12.15-13.00
“Speed dating” – meet other participants on an organized, individual basis

13.00-14.00
Lunch

14.00-15.30 (three parallel sessions)
Working Groups

I: Democratization, governance and obstacles to political-institutional development
Moderator: Jos van Beurden

This session addresses the issues of local and regional governance in the Horn of Africa that development agencies, NGOs and donor programmes have to deal with. What has been the impact of donor country programmes in stimulating and nurturing the democratization process, which is seen as an instance of good governance policy? What role can a donor country play in this respect before being accused of interference and ‘politics’?
Have DC (developing countries) government policies to enlarge local democratic decision-making and the improvement of effective administration been successful? What are the institutional, political or other obstacles, and what leverage is there to overcome them? The situation is obviously different in each country, with perhaps Somalia being the most problematic case with its lack of central government. Eritrea and Ethiopia are also showing little progress and a closure of the space for civil society organizations and local autonomy, while the greatest challenge in Sudan is to build up a civil administration in the South after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Accords in January 2005. What factors do NGOs and other development partners meet in enhancing institutional development and its implementation? What are the realistic chances of realizing newly set targets in the context of the Millennium Development Goals, and how are they being operationalized? Discussion of practical examples of recent projects and programmes will be helpful here.

Session programme
14.00-14.10 “Democratization under conditions of state failure”, Simon Simonse (Pax Christi)
14.10-14.20 “The comprehensive peace agreement: Chance or obstacle for donor support to democratization, governance and the rule of law?”, Hans Docter (Task Force Sudan, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
14.20-14.30 "Democratization in Sudan and regional dynamics", Salih Kaki (MONPEAD)
14.30-15.30 Discussion

Susan Muis and Rosan Smits (ICCO) will participate in this session as discussant.

II: Challenges to democratization: local level dynamics
Moderator: Ton Dietz

Local conditions in the Horn of Africa reveal a plethora of entrenched problems regarding efforts at democratization and the realization of political, economic and gender rights. Political arenas as well as local-level social relations are shaped by competing interest groups, ethnic or ethno-regional differences and the vested interests of elites. A recurring problem is that of the (perception of) gender roles and the lack of agency for women.
Can structural and administrative problems related to land use, ecological degradation, power differences, cultural prejudice, bureaucracy, and the lack of empowerment of local populations and ‘target groups’ be dealt with? In view of recurrent and, in some areas, newly emerging conflicts, refugee movements, and issues of conflict management or peace building should be addressed, combining local-level traditional views with state views. What is the role of external, donor-funded programmes and policies? Do they facilitate partnerships and efficient implementation? If not, what are the obstacles? The role of transnational migrant communities or ‘diasporas’ is also relevant to evaluate as a factor of political and economic influence.

Session programme
14.00-14.10 “Local conflict, disruption and community development”, Tadesse Bezabeh Abanano (ZOA Vluchtelingenzorg)
14.10-14.20 “The transnational livelihoods of Somali refugees. Challenges or opportunities?”, Cindy Horst (University of Amsterdam, AMIDSt)
14.20-14.30 [Title] Nynke Post Uiterweer (DGIS/HoA), to be confirmed
14.30-15.30 Discussion

Dr. Ann Waters-Bayer (ETC-Ecoculture, Leusden) will participate in this session as discussant.

III: Democratization and the legal and institutional environment with a specific focus on economic development
Moderator: Jan Abbink

How does the local legal and institutional environment in DCs impact on and set limits on NGO activities related to economic development? The nature of donor country policy and DC policies vis-à-vis participatory policies and rights is in need of scrutiny. How far can donor-backed organizations and NGOs go in putting problems of democratization and governance – seen as issues of ‘management’ and ‘efficiency’ – on the agenda in their bilateral relations with DC authorities? The more adverse effects of DC policies on governance, conflict situations, and the ‘production’ of refugees and displaced persons will be addressed here, e.g. the effects of ‘corruption’. The issue of improving the judicial systems in DC is equally relevant. Many donor countries – including the Netherlands – are, or have been, involved in studies and training projects to enhance the status and professionalism of the judiciary and the police etc. in DCs in the Horn. What can be learnt from these experiences? What is, or has been, their impact on economic opportunities, economic security, and the investment climate?

Session programme
14.00-14.10 “Democratization, institutional development or economic growth: Which comes first in nation (re)building?”, Elizabeth Solomon (Novib)
14.10-14.20 “The role of the international community in promoting sustainable peace and democracy in the Horn of Africa with a special focus on Ethiopia and Eritrea”, Fisseha-Tsion Menghistu
14.20-14.30 "Corruption and governance", Rein Koelstra (DGIS/DAC)
14.30-15.30 Discussion

15.30-15.45
Tea break

15.45-16.45
Plenary Discussion
Moderator: Jos van Beurden
This will include the presentation of reports from the three different working groups.

16.45-17.00
Closing remarks by Jan Abbink

17.00-18.00
Drinks

Directions

You can park the car via the entrance of Wassenaarseweg 62

Webdossier: Challenges and prospects