Project Concept Note: The Role of ICTs in Post-Conflict Reconstruction 1

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1 Revised, July 2011 Project Concept Note: The Role of ICTs in Post-Conflict Reconstruction 1 Summary: Conflict, within and between countries, is a major cause and consequence of poverty. Conflict currently affects around one quarter of low-income countries and the percentage of the population living in poverty in these countries is more than twice as high, at 54 per cent, as for other non-conflict-affected low income countries (22 per cent; Source: WDR, 2011). But conflicts do end, and the challenge then is to bring relief and stability quickly, through good governance matched with rising living standards, in order to create the right conditions for nation-building. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play an important role in that process. In line with the DFID Research Theme on Governance in Challenging Environments, and the World Bank s strategic theme on the Special challenges of post-conflict and fragile states, this component of infodev s Connect programme will research the role of ICTs in post-conflict reconstruction. Experience in a number of post-conflict countries has shown that mobile communications is one of the first sectors to contribute to economic recovery through increased foreign direct investment to build infrastructure, better coordinated reconstruction, improved access to information, increased employment, and expanded government revenues. ICTs are also are enablers of strong economic performance and private sector development in a post conflict environment. ICTs can also contribute to social cohesion, in particular through the use of social media. The Program would comprise two overlapping phases: a research phase (2011), which would examine six contrasting case studies of post-conflict reconstruction, and a second phase ( ) which would draw lessons from these and other examples to produce recommendations to governments and the donor community on the sequencing of ICT reforms and investments that could be followed in the aftermath of a conflict. Purpose and objectives: This project component has three main aims: a) to raise awareness of the benefits of prioritizing ICT initiatives early in the reconstruction effort; 1 This is an updated and expanded version of a project concept note originally pitched to DFID in November It draws, in particular, on the research carried out for the World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security and Development (see: 1

2 b) to stimulate discussion on the principles and priority actions that will help policy-makers to create enabling conditions that leverage ICTs to advance, accelerate, and sustain reconstruction efforts; c) To identify best practice lessons that can be learned, especially with regard to the sequencing of different ICT initiatives. The research programme will seek to answer three questions: What are the potential benefits to be gained from focusing on the ICT sector at an early stage in the reconstruction effort and how does this help ensure tangible and sustainable development results? What common principles and priorities can be gleaned that might help policy-makers create enabling conditions that leverage ICTs in future reconstruction efforts? What role does information play in post-conflict reconstruction, social cohesion and the rebuilding of the national economy, especially with regard to the burgeoning use of social media? Project description: The foundation for this analytical work programme, in the first phase, will be a series of six country case studies, selected from different regions and from countries at different stages of reconstruction, supplemented by a review of existing literature and other Bank work on using ICTs for post-conflict reconstruction. The selection of case study countries has been discussed with donors and would cover: Rwanda, from the African region, as a poignant example of how ICT can be central to the economic acceleration of a country. The Rwandan Civil War that began in 1990 was an extended period of intra-state violence that preceded the more famous Genocide of Although local radio stations were used to encourage the mass murder, following the cessation of violence, President Kagame has stressed the centrality of ICT to what is widely considered the developmental success of a small, landlocked country. Key areas of focus will be how ICTs can be used in the areas of service delivery, management of refugees, monitoring conflicts, improving government revenue, and increasing social cohesion, especially in rural areas. Liberia, from the Africa region, as an example of reconstruction after an extended period of conflict, and in which the institutions of government and civil society are still very weak. Fourteen years of civil conflict left Liberia s economy, institutions and infrastructure completely devastated. Following a transition period, a new elected Government took office since Liberia has made much progress, starting to rebuild public sector institutions, delivering some essential services, revitalizing infrastructure and laying the foundations for sustaining economic growth. Liberia is now at an inflection point, moving from a transitional post-conflict recovery phase to laying the foundations for long-term development. Sri Lanka, from the South Asia region, as a more recent example of post-conflict reconstruction, with a focus on nation building. The defeat of the LTTE in May

3 brought to an end more than 25 years of on-off civil war, but left a large number of displaced people. Sri Lanka now faces the challenges of promoting inclusive development and restoring social cohesion following the brutal end to the civil war, but is making rapid progress, building on the role that ICTs already played in helping to restore stability during the conflict 2. The World Bank has been supporting the e-sri Lanka project and is now supporting a FutureGov transformational study. What have been the benefits of these efforts to ensure good governance through the use of ICTs? Timor Leste, from the Asia Pacific region, as an example of a small island developing state where prolonged conflict destroyed much of the infrastructure and resulted in international administration and attention. Following nearly a quarter-century of occupation, Timor Leste was recognized as independent in 2002, but violence, notably in 2006, has remained a challenge. Although economic growth has been buoyed by its natural resource endowment, to achieve long-term stability, improvements in service delivery and private sector development are needed. Tunisia, from the Middle East and North Africa region, as the most recent example of the role of ICT in civil unrest. As the impetus for the wider Arab Spring, Tunisia s revolution provides insight into how social media in particular is relevant to modern conflicts. The ICT industry has received notable attention in Tunisia, and the lack of widespread violence has eliminated the need to reconstruct infrastructure as in many other post-conflict situations, so there is an opportunity to quickly leverage ICTs to improve inclusive growth and job creation. However, the particular priorities are not clear, but understanding the Tunisian case can serve to more broadly inform the MENA region. Afghanistan, from the South Asia region, will be covered in a shorter case study and short video documentary. Afghanistan s ICT sector, particularly mobile communication, has very quickly grown from non-existent to covering over half of the population. This first wave of success, in spite of ongoing conflict, has begun to connect Afghans to finance, information, and new markets. The government now seeks to use this widespread platform to expand service delivery. The diversity of initiatives and uses will demonstrate how ICT can transform lives in urban and rural Afghanistan, and enable a second wave of ICT-enabled development. The detailed country case studies will focus on the potential impacts of ICT initiatives in the reconstruction program, balancing quick wins that are rapidly achievable and which generate visible results with the need to develop the infrastructure to support longer-term reconstruction and recovery programs. They will also look at the specific role that ICTs can play in peace building, national reconciliation, transparency and accountability. In the second phase, the study will develop frameworks to analyze the role of ICTs in conflictaffected countries and to develop a high-level policy framework for using ICTs as a tool for sustainable reconstruction in such countries. Whereas the first phase will be primarily retrospective, the second phase will be policy-driven, applying the lessons from the case 2 See, for instance, Samarajiva, Rohan et al (2008) I just called to say: Teleuse under a ceasefire, chapter 3 in Samarajiva, Rohan, and Zainudeen, Ayesha (ed. 2008) ICT Infrastructure in Emerging Asia, Sage India, IDRC, available at: 3

4 studies to recommend pro-active steps to maximize the benefits of using ICTs in post-conflict reconstruction. A key part of the second phase will be the planned Workshop which will report on the findings of the first phase but also draw in a wider pool of case study countries. It is suggested that the Workshop could be held in partnership with the ICT4Peace Foundation, possibly in Geneva during the WSIS focus events in May In developing this analytical framework, the research team will draw upon the Bank s broadranging experience in post-conflict environments that stretches back to its creation for postwar reconstruction in Europe. The ICT Sector Unit, in particular, has specific experience in post-conflict environments including Afghanistan, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and West Bank and Gaza. Research questions As noted above, the research program will seek to answer three main research questions: Question 1: What are the potential benefits to be gained from focusing on the ICT sector at an early stage in the reconstruction effort and how does this help ensure tangible and sustainable development results? Why have these benefits sometimes failed to materialize? Jumpstarting the economy Reconnecting a country to the wider world and facilitating flows of remittances Restoring effective governance and trust Enabling cross-sector reconstruction Restoring social cohesion, including by easing ethnic tensions Question 2: What common principles and priorities can be gleaned that might help policymakers create enabling conditions that leverage ICTs in future reconstruction efforts? Which specific ICTs are likely to be the most useful in the immediate aftermath (eg satellite/gis, emergency communications etc)? Rewiring post-conflict countries: Creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment: Creating an investment-friendly framework increases the chances of faster reconstruction. Focusing on building human capacity: Supporting the delivery of government services and other applications: Question 3: What role does information play in post-conflict reconstruction, social cohesion and the rebuilding of the national economy, including the use of social media? What is the likely role of different stakeholders? Role of access to and dissemination of information in getting government up and running Strategic role of ICTs in military operations and the need to transition to peacetime use Undertaking critical communications with a dispersed population Restoring law and order Creating an enabling environment for business to thrive National reconciliation. 4

5 Does a free and open social media environment promote social cohesion? 5