Understanding conflict: are international NGOs out of their depth?

Do we really comprehend why states break down? Do aid agencies understand the complex realities of the war-torn societies in which they work? Or are they searching in vain for universal answers to global ills?

A paper from the University of Bradford’s Department of Peace Studies analyses how different identity groups in Sri Lanka are still unable to live together. The report argues that conflict-wracked societies can only be properly understood by studying history. Whilst social scientists have developed subtler methodologies, the aid business relies on crass generalisations: simplistic terms such as 'conflict' or 'conflict analysis' lump together states as diverse as Sri Lanka, Uganda or Afghanistan.

The report traces Sri Lanka’s slide to war to number of developments during the post-independent period. The decision to disenfranchise the Indian Tamil population, making Sinhala the sole official language and the hegemonic use of Buddhist symbolism throughout the state were some of the crucial steps in the deterioration of ethnic relations. Prospects for peace are bleak as the government remains locked in war with the extremist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Is civil society such a good thing? Some Sinhalese civil society organisations (CSOs) goaded the aversion to different ethnic groups and faiths which has driven Sri Lanka’s never-ending conflict. These CSOs remain strongly opposed to any form of devolution or decentralisation without which there is no hope of peace. CSOs whose members come from all ethnic groups and faiths have played a key role in placing the concept of regional autonomy on the Sri Lankan political agenda but face intimidation from extremist Sinhalese organisations and from the LTTE.

Evidence suggests that humanitarian relief has become structurally linked to the politics of the conflict. Foreign agencies have:

• created an artificial sphere called ‘conflict resolution and peace’
• exacerbated splits between CSOs solely focused on ending the conflict and those who see resolution as part of a larger democratic project

Implications for international NGOs helping to resolve conflicts include:

• The dangers of the myth that NGOs are inherently decentralised, democratic, flexible, and creative while states are inflexible, insensitive and ineffective.
• The need for external agencies to recognise that in places like Sri Lanka there is a long legacy of local, active CSOs.
• Donors’ predilection to sweeping generalisations about southern nations is perpetuated by visiting consultants who know little of a country’s history.

Source(s):
‘The failure of state formation, identity conflict and civil society responses – the case of Sri Lanka’ Working Paper #2, Centre for Conflict Resolution, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford by Sunil Bastian September 1999 Full document.

id21 Research Highlight: 2 October 2001

Further Information:
Sunil Bastian
The International Centre for Ethnic Studies
2 Kynsey Terrace
Colombo 08
Sri Lanka

Tel: +941 685 085 / 077 314129
Fax: +941 698 048
Contact the contributor: bastian@sri.lanka.net

The International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka

Other related links:
'Peacebuilding from below: can NGOs subvert pro-war messages?'

'Peace by piece: NGOs and peace building in Liberia'

'Why wait for post-conflict reconstruction?'

The Centre for Conflict Resolution

See the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit

Eldis focuses on Conflict