Committee for Conflict Transformation Support |
CCTS
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The Ethics of Post War Intervention - dilemmas of conflict transformation practice: Discussion NotesAcknowledging the long-term needMost NGO organisations have experienced a decrease in core funding in recent years, and a corresponding increased dependency on project funding. This trend reduces their independence, not only because they are constantly competing for specific project funding, but because such funding tends to be short-term. More important is the impact of this short-term focus on post-conflict countries, whose needs continue long after the immediate flurry of government-funded activity. For these reasons one participant argued that it was important for NGOs to do more to persuade governments to make a longer-term commitment. This need not necessarily lead to a substantial increase in spending. Too often, money is available for the expensive physical reconstruction of (for example) roads and buildings but not for the cheaper (but slower) reconstruction of civil society. At present, the 'international circus' that descends on countries in the wake of conflict displaces all local functions, and when international interest and funding runs out leaves a void that is too often filled by criminal activity that further slows recovery.
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