'This paper summarises the events of a workshop on institutional collaboration in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The workshop was held in Pakistan in March 2009, and discussed the participatory research in livelihoods that two Norwegian organisations conducted in Afghanistan. The paper states that this work has great potential for contributing further toward capacity and institution building in Afghanistan in several rural development sectors, including water and sanitation (WATSAN).'

How to engage more effectively in fragile states is now a key concern in the international development community, and several new books outline different diagnoses and recommendations. Seth Kaplan presented his book: Fixing Fragile States: A New Paradigm for Development, at a recent ODI public event, with ODI’s David Booth as the discussant.

Kaplan brings a fresh, if not entirely new, perspective to the discussion on fragile states that has, to a large extent, been missing in international more...

Fragile states matter, as an ODI public event in London last week confirmed. Internal conflict and instability contaminates and infects neighbouring countries and entire regions, contributing to global security problems. In development terms, a failure to address and meet the challenges presented by fragile states means that, at the current rate of progress, the global Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will not be met, regardless of how much progress is made in other developing countries. Acco more...

The UNU-WIDER project ‘Fragility and Development’ explored state fragility and its relationship to household vulnerability, noting that there is a lack of research on the economic dimensions of conflict, aid, and development in fragile states. This Research Brief provides a summary of the various contributions made by this project, including case studies on Iraq, Kosovo, Palestine, and Somalia. It also addresses a number of pertinent questions such as; when are states fragile? What are the c more...

This report summarizes UN-HABITAT’s programme aimed at building capacities at local and national levels to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries through slum upgrading policy development and implementation of pilot projects. Full paper in PDF format (1.25MB); Number of pages: 322p; Source (s) UN-HABITAT

Successful state building will almost always be the product of domestic action, though it can be significantly enabled by well-targeted, responsive international assistance. Deeper, context-specific analysis of the historical and contemporary dynamics of social contract negotiations must be the basis for state-building efforts. This paper elaborates a series of policy implications related to interventions around various facets of fragility, including weak capacity, illegitimacy and political div more...

This case highlights the importance of strengthening the capacity of landowner structures in the early stages of a mine’s life in order to harness economic opportunities that can contribute to sustainable development outcomes in the community. Responsible and honest leadership, good supportive management, effective organizations, and an enabling environment for community stakeholders are also necessary to secure the economic opportunities presented in resource-rich communities. Ultimately, it more...

This report seeks to enhance understanding and dialogue on capacity development and its potential for contributing to poverty reduction and improvements in the quality of life of all Pacific islanders. Full report in PDF format (1.198MB), Number of pages: 32p

'Countries in the global South have followed paths towards state-building that are often very different from those taken historically by states in Western Europe. It may therefore be unhelpful to make formal institutions in now-developed countries the starting point for thinking about how to get more effective public authority in the South. This paper suggests that the search for effective, accountable institutions that can support progressive change over the longer term requires a different sta more...

How can donors and their partners support sustainable capacity development in fragile states? This article addresses key issues and dilemmas that members of the international community confront in answering this question.

Definitions of fragile states vary, yet all of them highlight the link between fragility and capacity deficits. Fragile states have governments that are incapable of assuring basic security for their citizens, fail to provide basic services and economic opportunities, and a more...