The Missing Link - Fostering Positive Citizen-State Relations in Post-Conflict Environments

In this document, a conceptual approach is presented to help policy-makers recognise the societal challenges of post-conflict countries and their relation to governance and long-term stability. The study shows the direct relation to long-term stability and governance in post-conflict countries of state-citizen relation building, often overlooked due to shortcomings in the state-building and reconstruction approach. This study applies the public sphere as a framework to deal with the “connective tissue” of state-building and calls for change in current post-conflict assistance policy and practice. Three case studies - Burundi,Timor Leste, and Liberia - are presented as examples, illustrating how to understand and approach the policy and operational challenges encountered in the field. An assessment guide and tool-kit are included in the document.

The document argues: "that a well-placed series of strategic and coordinated activities can help manage expectations, alter perceptions, build public trust in state institutions and repair citizen - state relations. At the heart of these activities lies the construction or restoration of national dialogue mechanisms and processes that are central to reconnecting citizens with each other and with their state, to rebuilding public trust and to managing expectations after conflict. It is a functioning public sphere that helps to close the space that gives room to peace-spoilers and undermines the success of the transition processes."

It identifies the ideal public sphere as:

1. a legitimate, inclusive, and transparent state that informs the public of its undertakings, political debates, administrative decisions, and legislative acts, and provides entry points for public participation.
2. an active and inclusive civil society that not only empowers citizens to participate in and respond to public discourse, but also can relate to the media and the state.
3. a media that is a self-regulated and professional system that has the capacity to objectively collect, analyse, and present information to a public audience that is media literate, shares and discusses information, and forms a public opinion about state performance, which is channelled back to influence public decision-makers.

The document describes the obstacles for post-conflict governments to manage change toward a better life and to foster accountable public service delivery and the consequent loss of trust of citizens already estranged from government due to the conflict experience and high post-conflict expectations of change. As stated here, "[b]uilding an inclusive public dialogue and giving a voice and a stake to a wide group of societal stakeholders is essential to avoid renewed fragmentation and violence." However, "stakeholders fail to recognize how profoundly conflict and military background affect the way actors perceive information and dialogue. It is here where the building of a national dialogue has to begin. Crucial steps to facilitate public sphere processes are establishing dialogue mechanisms and capacities."

As stated here, incorporating the public sphere framework in early post-conflict needs assessments and intervention frameworks could serve to repair citizen-state relations, manage expectations, and build trust in the fledgling governance institutions and the reconstruction process. The policy recommendations include the following:

• "Apply the public sphere governance framework early in post-conflict assessments.
• Think systematically. Ensure cross-sector planning and donor coordination to create synergies and to capture public sphere dynamics.
• Work with civil society, media and government to ensure a common understanding of and respect for their respective roles. Promote programs to increase interaction.
• In building state institutions, pay particular attention to the creation of entry points for public participation and to the “listening” capacity of both, central and local structures.
• Pay attention that media sector development and communication capacity within government go hand-in-hand, as one outpacing the other carries the risk of manipulation or alienation.
• Promote inclusive national civil society networks and internal, downward accountability within these networks.
• Support civic education programs that promote public understanding about the right to information.
• Develop legislative frameworks and cultivate political will and resources - engage in strategic advocacy.
• Do not accept the purely political nature of language choices; provide evidence and advice on the economic and social cost of exclusive language policies.
• Donor behavior tends to be exclusive and to lack transparency: practice what you preach!"
  

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