Promoting social reconciliation in postconflict societies : selected lessons from USAID's experience

The first study (PN-ACA-910) investigated the nature, functions, and achievements of peace committees established in South Africa to prevent violence and promote peace in pursuance of the 9/91 National Peace Accords. The second study (PN-ACA-907), on interstate conflict, assessed the extent to which scientific collaboration between Israel and its Arab neighbors succeeded in creating and sustaining the attitudes, perceptions, and institutional relationships conducive to peace. The third study (PN-ACA-920) examined the role of peace media in promoting interethnic reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; more importantly, it analyzed the effects of economic development initiatives in fostering ethnic tolerance. Section I defines the construct of social reconciliation as used in this study and identifies strategies that the international community has adopted to promote the process in post-conflict societies. Section 2 presents an overview of the main findings and conclusions of the case studies. Section 3 suggests the following lessons for USAID and other international donor organizations: (1) Social reconciliation interventions, whether directly or indirectly supported by the international community, generally have a positive impact on post-conflict societies. All three social reconciliation strategies -- creating and supporting grassroots peace structures, peace media, and collaborative projects -- have some value. Their overall impact, however, is modest. (2) Three environmental variables -- political commitment, indigenous ownership, and perceived fairness -- are critical to the effectiveness of social reconciliation interventions. (3) Despite the importance of local ownership, the involvement of a neutral third party can be useful in deeply divided societies. (4) Because of the social, cultural, and political sensibilities involved, it is essential that designers of social reconciliation projects consider factors not always salient in traditional development interventions. They should pay attention to local culture power structures, seek to lower the level of public visibility, and consider the singular problems that intergroup hostilities pose for project staff and participants. (5) To enhance opportunities for social reconciliation, innovative strategies and instruments should channel technical and financial assistance to indigenous organizations without forcing them to compromise their legitimacy, autonomy, and flexibility. (6) Carefully designed economic development interventions can foster varying levels of cooperation and tolerance among antagonistic groups. (7) As far as possible, the international community should support interventions that are informed by a social reconciliation approach. Such an approach requires that: designers critically examine all possible consequences of the proposed intervention; as far as possible, design and implement initiatives that augment social capital -- norms of tolerance, cooperation, and trust -- in that society; and expose project and program staff to conflict management and resolution techniques.