Conflict sensitive approaches to development, humanitarian assistance and peace building

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2 What are conflict-sensitive sectoral approaches?

A conflict-sensitive sectoral approach is one that is developed and implemented so as to minimise possible negative impacts and maximise positive impacts on the context and its dynamics, and vice-versa. This requires an adequate understanding of the context not only in the development, implementation and evaluation of the sectoral approach itself but also in developing the national strategic framework within which the sectoral assistance is set, and the donor / government partnerships operating at national and sector level.

As already noted, sectoral approaches have been adopted in some post-conflict settings and in situations of localised and regional conflict. But it is equally important to ensure sectoral approaches are conflict sensitive in situations of unstable peace, where insensitive interventions can reinforce or exacerbate the potential for violent conflict (eg resettlement schemes which alter the ethnic balance of a region and the access of different groups to resources).

Nor should conflict sensitivity be restricted to the ‘obvious’ sectors – military, justice and police; it needs to be integrated across all areas of activity, since development assistance in any sector (eg infrastructure, education, health, agriculture) can have an impact on the context. See Box 2, and the further examples in Annex 1.

**Box 2: Education and conflict**
DFID has recently undertaken a study looking at education and conflict, including the aspects of education that have the potential to exacerbate conflict or, if handled sensitively, to address some of the underlying grievances that cause conflict. The study has pointed to the need (a) for methodologies for assessing sector wide involvement in education from the perspective of conflict and (b) for developing a consensus around indicators of the positive and negative roles of education in situations of conflict.

Many of the principles underlying sectoral approaches – local ownership, capacity-building, participation, inclusiveness, accountability, coordination – are also among the key principles for conflict-sensitive practice. Sectoral approaches have the potential to contribute positively to the context if undertaken in a conflict-sensitive manner.

Table 1 sets out some of the associated opportunities and risks.

**Table 1: Opportunities and risks associated with sectoral approaches, from the perspective of conflict sensitivity**
Opportunities	Risks
Engagement Increased opportunities for donors and civil society to have a positive influence on national development strategies (eg via the PRSP process) and sectoral strategies, including policy dialogue on issues related to conflict issues and governance.	Donor support to a government that lacks a credible internal constituency of support may risk lending it undue legitimacy. There are limited options for donors should national governments undermine the partnership eg by acting in ways that fuel conflict or undermine human rights. Also, suspension of aid can risk increased instability.
Impact Increased opportunities for external capacity building support for government and civil society in areas such as policy analysis, conflict analysis, budgetary processes, transparency and service delivery - all of which can contribute to structural stability. Increased opportunities for linking the national and local levels, for example through strengthening the legitimacy of the central government at lower government levels and with civil society.	Fungibility; increased risk of diversion of funds for belligerent purposes; increased risk of corruption. Weak public sector capacity eg in the area of management, or more generally in a region within the country may lead to the use of parallel implementation systems which by-pass government structures and undermine government capacity. Focus on the national government can lead to an over-emphasis on the capital city and an increasing disconnection with local realities. Sectoral approaches can be counter-productive in terms of decentralisation processes and create differences and tensions between the local and central governments, particularly where the benefits of assistance are not immediately felt at the local levels.
Sustainability Increased opportunities for a long-term perspective and support to reform processes linked to sectoral approaches (particularly related to governance) which have the potential to increase structural stability (eg justice system reform, strengthening transparency in the legal framework for civil society participation).	Donor pressure to disburse funds and insensitivity to political factors can lead to a situation where reform is pushed through too quickly, before the necessary preconditions have emerged. This may produce a backlash when expected gains do not materialise.
Participation Increased participation by civil society organisations in policy and the political process, including a scaling up of local participatory processes to a national policy level. This can help to foster inclusive governance and build bridges between different interests, and provide a variety of perspectives on conflict risks.	Badly managed participation risks increasing tensions, particularly where civil society is sharply divided along the fault lines of a conflict. Civil society may be weak and under-developed and therefore not in a position to play an effective role in sectoral approaches, thus further undermining its position vis-à-vis the government.
Coordination Development of consensus and joint understanding of conflict issues and dynamics between different donors, as well as between donors and national governments. Enhanced coordination between donors and increased opportunities for the coherence of interventions around a national development strategy.	Risk that policy and sector strategies could appear donor driven, thus undermining the credibility of, and increasing dissatisfaction with, the national government. Raising sensitive political issues within the framework of policy dialogue with governments can present real challenges and lead to donor/ government tensions. The national focus of sectoral approaches can make it harder to address regional issues (including regional conflict dynamics) and the impacts of policies and programmes on neighbouring states.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list and the issues covered will differ according to the particular context.

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