The Fragile and Conflict-Affected Countries Group has initiated a focused program of research, knowledge and learning (RKL). The program seeks to anchor its scenario planning framework in an improved understanding of structural and country-specific factors that contribute to institutional and governance fragility, and to strengthen consensus on approaches to fragility and conflict.
The program will be grounded in operational experience, informed by the work of the leading academics and practitioners (both within and outside the Bank). It seeks to provide practical guidance to Bank staff and development partners, focusing on a preventive agenda—how to break the cycle of conflict, recovery, deterioration, and return to conflict. This entails analyzing key signs of deteriorating governance and identifying ways for the Bank and the broader development community to intervene to tip the balance in favor of a path to stability and growth.
Over the next two years, the Bank intends to focus its RKL agenda on fragile, conflict-affected and post-conflict situations on the following themes.
- State Building—How to cement peace and improve aid effectiveness in the transition from war to peace? How to monitor progress in building peace and better state institutions? How to support the strengthening of the core institutions of the state?
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- Deteriorating Governance—How to engage more effectively where a shift in state policies, political processes, or social cohesion may signal rising conflict risk? How to better predict a crisis in state legitimacy and governance and design appropriate interventions? How to achieve visible development results to reduce social tension?
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- Inclusive Growth—How to foster growth agendas that are inclusive and equitable? How to support policies and programs geared at promoting private sector development? How to address horizontal inequalities?
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- Global and Regional Dimensions—How to engage middle income countries (particularly Brazil, Russia, India, and China) on fragility, conflict, and aid effectiveness? How to address cross-border development challenges related to conflict and fragility (e.g., migration and displacement, movement of armed combatants, access to natural resources)? How to address environmental risks that affect vulnerability to conflict, such as climate change?
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- Operational Approaches—How can the Bank strengthen its operations and approaches? How can the Bank improve its financing instruments to better address the needs of fragile, conflict-affected and post-conflict countries? How can the Bank support governments to deliver core services?
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A number of principles will guide the Bank’s RKL approach:
- Efforts will be made to engage networks and researchers in developing countries in the program and encourage constructive North-South and South-South dialogue and collaboration.
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- Collaboration with bilateral donors and other international organizations such as the UNDG, OECD/DAC, other development banks, regional organizations, and policy institutes will be important.
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- The Bank will continuously evaluate the program to ensure it remains focused on operational priorities so it can respond to emerging issues of relevance to fragility and conflict in a timely manner.
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