Peacebuilding, Decentralisation and Local Governments

• Course introduction
• The experts
• Learning objectives
• The content
• Practical information

There is a growing consensus within the development community on the importance of engaging in fragile states. As the name implies, these countries lack a resilient, legitimate government that is capable and willing to deliver basic services to its people. Local government, being the government tier that is closest to the citizens and one of the key institutions for the delivery of basic services, is in a unique position to improve state legitimacy. However, local governments’ capacities are often severely affected by conflict. To achieve lasting results, it is crucial to invest in local government capacity development, as to ensure that services can be performed by the local government and local people as soon as feasible. 

The Hague Academy for Local Governance, together with the Barcelona International Peace Centre, is organising this 2-week training course to enhance understanding of the challenges that are faced by local governments in fragile situations. We will investigate relations between local and central government, NGOs and the private sector and discuss top-down and bottom-up perspectives of state and peacebuilding. Together we will explore cases of local level peacebuilding and reconstruction projects around the world - e.g. Afghanistan, Sudan and the Balkans - and distil lessons from successful initiatives as well as from initiatives that have been counterproductive. We will focus on key entry points for starting up projects, taking into accounts factors such as timing and geography and the effects of projects on stability. Throughout the course we will have a special focus on connecting citizens’ voices to government and the sustainability of peacebuilding efforts. 

The latest international expertise and insights will be made available in this course through a combination of lectures from leading experts, exercises and simulations. You will have ample opportunity to also share your own experiences and learn from the other participants. 

This training course contributes to the development of knowledge and skills of practitioners working in fragile environments in:

• Analysing the state of local governments and the local political economy;
•  Advising on (multi-sectoral) local governance and decentralisation programmes;
• Designing and implementing concrete initiatives aimed at strengthening local governments;
• Judging the impact of local governance and decentralisation programmes on realisation of sustainable peace and building legitimacy;
• Cooperating and coordinating with local governments and other stakeholders, implementers and NGO's.

All participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

Day 1: Introduction
During the first day we will set the context for the rest of the course and will introduce you to the main concepts that we will work with during these two weeks. We will explore with you the concept of state fragility and will discuss the differences between state building and peacebuilding. Examples of the importance of local governance for stabilising a country after conflict will be shared. Furthermore, you will get to know your fellow participants and will learn about their experience in this field.

Day 2 - 5: Decentralisation and local financing
Citizens, public officials and civil servants need to understand their roles and responsibilities within the constitutional and legal framework of their country. Fiscal relations need to be well designed to ensure local government receives adequate revenues or transfers to provide a good enough level of service delivery. Throughout these days, Jamie Boex will introduce you to various concepts of decentralisation, focusing on the effects of decentralisation practices on stability. Jamie will provide you with insight in intergovernmental fiscal decentralisation and accountability. On the fifth day, a governance game will help you better understand basic internal processes at play in a state.

Day 6 - 7: Service delivery & working with partners
Through improved delivery of services, local governments can offer people hope, create a sense of progress, build government accountability and demonstrate how to manage even limited resources. However, in many cases, violent conflict has proven destructive for local governments' capacities. To avoid dependency on (international) NGOs and to rebuild state legitimacy, it is essential that local institutions are being strengthened as soon as feasible. During these days, we will discuss how to achieve delivery of services in the absence of functioning public administration at the local level and how, at the same time local governments can be supported in ensuring the basic human needs of their citizens are met. You will be provided with examples of successful ways to support local governments in securing their interests in national programmes, and in local planning processes. Furthermore, issues such as access to services and fair and equal distribution will be taken into account. Irma Specht, director of Transition International, will share her rich experience in community driven development approaches.

Day 8 - 9: Building local capacities for peace
In many places local governments, in close cooperation with local organisations, play or have played an important role in building bridges after conflict and promoting a peaceful environment. In this module James Odong, associate director of World Vision International, will provide you with insight in how local governments can secure their citizens from violence and control the territory under their jurisdiction. During these highly interactive days, James will provide you with various tools and approaches to conflict analysis. We will discuss the local political economy and drivers for peace and analyse various cases. Together we will discuss the use and limitations of various approaches for analysing conflict at the local level.

Day 10: Wrap-up
On the final day you will present your individual action plan, relating what has been learnt to your working environment and receive feedback from your group members.

This two-week training course in Barcelona will probably take place again in December 2011. Please check our website regulary for more information or email to: info@thehagueacademy.com