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Public and Private Sector Leaders Address Development in Conflict Zones at SID World Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 2, 2011 CONTACT: MELISSA PRICE 571-366-1596 PRESS@IRD-DC.ORG ARLINGTON, VA Participants at the 2011 Society for International Development (SID) World Congress, co-sponsored by International Relief and Development (IRD), heard a timely panel discussion on the nexus between conflict and development. The July 30 panel event in Washington, D.C., attracted government officials, non-government organization and corporate leaders, and development practitioners from around the world. Speakers included Dr. Arthur B. Keys, Jr., President and CEO of IRD; Tessie San Martin, CEO of Plan USA; Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator of USAID; Ambassador Rick Barton, U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; Alonzo Fulgham, Vice President of IRD; and Tom Wheelock, Senior Director and Vice President, Communities in Transition, of Creative Associates International. "In recent years, there are an increasing number of conflicts that destabilize significant populations around the globe. So, like it or not, development and conflict are juxtaposed upon each other, said Keys in his introductory remarks. "Development assistance programs must implement holistic strategies which address both the structural conditions and local grievances, the major drivers of instability. San Martin, the panel moderator, used Keys remarks to frame the next hours discussion, which ranged from development priorities, to the relationship between civil and military authorities in conflict settings, to the empowerment of women and youth as necessary catalysts for long-term social and economic development. Steinberg focused on the active inclusion of women in every dimension of development work, especially as USAID seeks to operate in new and more effective ways. Local community control and leadership of development programs was another consistent theme in the discussion. --more--

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT | 1621 NORTH KENT STREET, 4TH FLOOR | ARLINGTON, VA 22209 T 703.248.0161 | F 703.248.0194 | WWW.IRD.ORG

The pillar we in the development sector have yet to master is true community leadership, said Barton. We have to be led by what we hear. A successful development project that does not meet the needs of communities as they express them is like a successful operation that kills the patient. Barton and other panelists discussed methods to support communities in conflict situations, and the need to do so early and with significant investments of resources and expertise. The discussion comes down to resources, said Fulgham. It is a much better use of taxpayer and donor dollars to make meaningful investments in the beginning, rather than try to remediate them down the road. That is the way to prevent conflict. Steinberg added that Creating better conditions in countries that could slip into conflict is a major focus of USAID. Seventy percent of USAIDs resources are now invested in the top 24 most fragile states. Toward the close of the panel, the discussion returned to an observation made during Keys opening remarks. Development can and must take place in the midst of conflict, said Keys. Creating lasting results requires new ways of looking at development, fostering innovative programs that meet vulnerable people where they live. To download a case study on IRDs post-conflict community development program in Serbia and Montenegro, the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action program, visit the Publications section of IRDs web site. For more information on IRD, visit www.ird.org. You can also stay up-to-date on IRDs latest news by following us on Facebook, Twitter (@ird_voices), Flickr, or YouTube.
IRD is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization responsible for implementing relief, stabilization, and development programs worldwide. IRDs mission is to reduce the suffering of the worlds most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. Specializing in meeting the needs of communities emerging from conflict or natural disaster, IRD partners with donors, local organizations, and many others to deliver sustainable services in agriculture, governance, health, and infrastructure. For more information, visit IRD.org. ###

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT | 1621 NORTH KENT STREET, 4TH FLOOR | ARLINGTON, VA 22209 T 703.248.0161 | F 703.248.0194 | WWW.IRD.ORG

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