A Better World Volume 2

[

] 17

ust

, P

e aceful

and

nclusi v e

ocieties

oped through the forum of the International Dialogue and

signed by more than 40 countries, including Switzerland,

and organizations at the fourth High Level Forum on Aid

Effectiveness on November 30th 2011 at Busan, Korea.

Knowing the shortcomings of any policy agreement, that

is to implement it successfully on a national, but preferably

local level, Switzerland has sought to anchor this “Aid4Peace”

perspective internationally by taking over responsibility as

Co-Chair – together with UNDP – of the DAC International

Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF). INCAF’s focus

is on delivering the SDGs in states affected by fragility and

conflict, using the lens of the New Deal for engagement in

fragile states. A major achievement in this regard was the

2016 Stockholm Declaration

as a way of ensuring that no

one is left behind in preventing and addressing the root

causes of conflict and fragility.

Furthermore, Switzerland supports the inclusion of

the stakeholder structure, ensuring cooperation between

affected countries, donor countries and civil society, in Goal

16 implementation. In this regard Switzerland engages with

the Pathfinder Initiative for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive

Societies,

aiming to foster an integrated approach in order

to strengthen Goal 16’s universality, focus on inequalities,

apply a gender and human rights based approach, include

regional and global dimensions of peace and ensure collabo-

ration between all relevant actors and sectors.

In, around or on fragility: more explicit theories of change

and better monitoring

As explained above, SDC’s operational experience in fragile

and conflict affected contexts showed that development and

humanitarian assistance will be sustainable only if the root

causes of conflict are addressed, structural issues of violence,

exclusion and discrimination are tackled and a culture of

human rights is promoted. However, Switzerland, as a small

bilateral donor agency, is not always able to solve problems

of fragility and human rights and thus finds itself working

around these issues rather than focusing on the central prob-

lems. Risks are higher in these contexts requiring quick wins

and tangible results especially to satisfy public opinion.

In order to maintain a long term perspective, Switzerland

introduced a fragility-focused mindset for its results-based

management in 2013, with additional mandatory reference

indicators in 2017. The reference indicator systemwill help SDC

to coherently report on results as well as to steer programmes

and enhance their contribution to fragility reduction.

The case of governance in the security and justice sectors:

the case for rule of law

SDC’s focus on governance, especially within the justice

and security sector might illustrate how to better work

on the reduction of fragility. Accountability of public and

private security forces, mutual respect of the law and access

to justice are preconditions of a fair, predictable and just

system, free from corruption and arbitration. Conflicts and

fragility, violence and destruction, are based on factual as

well as perceived injustices. Enabling development must

focus on freedom from fear. Governance, access to justice

and rule of law programmes – which are at the core of Goal

16 – must therefore be people-oriented and focus on “good

enough” rather than perfect systems.

SDC is substantially engaged in the justice sector and

spends approximately CHF35m per year on projects and

programmes that deal either exclusively or partly with justice

sector reform. But international criticism of rule of law and

justice sector programming

is significant such that these

interventions must recognise the deeply political process in

which they engage; that a sole focus on form instead of func-

tion and the replication and import of models and laws does

not meet local realities and needs; and that the realities of the

political economy and structural poverty must be addressed.

Thus, rule of law and access to justice become synonymous

with reduction of fragility and reestablishing trust among

communities, people and institutions. Internal assessments

showed that SDC is not immune to quick-win, solution driven

and top down approaches. In order to reorient its justice and

rule of law portfolio, SDC has strengthened its analytical

tools, recognized the politicised nature of these programmes

and will systematically take legal pluralism into account.

In other words, SDC realigns its programmes by taking the

context as a starting point and putting instances of perceived

or actual injustices at the corner of its interventions.

Again, the above mentioned system of reference indicators in

relation to the support of governmental functions, the strength-

ening of independence and oversight and the protection of

rights and perception of legal services, will help SDC to improve

theories of change with better monitoring and reporting.

Conclusions

Goal 16 objectives in fostering peaceful, just and inclusive soci-

eties are, for SDC, both a precondition and a result of fulfilling

its mandate of poverty reduction and humanitarian assistance.

There is no sustainability without a focus on context-rooted

power relations, causes and effects of exclusion, discrimina-

tion and reoccurring human rights violations. In order to end

poverty we have to end ignorance of economic, social and

political realities that impede development, inclusion and

peace. “Fragility” is one description of these obstacles, as “just

and peaceful societies” is another phrase for a set of solutions.

But what matters is not the wording, but a tangible change for

people. The discussion around goal 16 already provides a plat-

form for discussion. In 2030, Goal 16 will be the litmus test for

the success of the Sustainable Development Agenda. Emerging

conditions for peace will enable sustainable development only

if our contribution and shared responsibility can address the

root causes of violent conflict and war.

IFC and Swiss microfinance project in Kyrgyzstan