The first day of InterAction's annual three-day conference featured NGOs, corporate and government leaders celebrating the accomplishments of the development and humanitarian communities. Participants and speakers will also look to the future to find opportunities with improved and increased collaboration among nonprofits, corporations, government and foundations.
IFES' Chris Hennemeyer, Vice President for Communications and Compliance, lead a workshop on Post-Crisis Countries: Democracy and Development. Presenters addressed the interdependence of development and democratic governance in post-conflict countries. The session featured speakers from the International Crisis Group, IFES, Catholic Relief Services and the Alliance for Peacebuilding.
IFES' Deputy Director of Europe and Asia, Vasu Mohan, presented on Stability, Democracy and Development: Lessons Learned from Post Conflict Election. He noted that stakeholders in societies emerging from post conflict scenarios demand elections; an indispensible feature of post conflict agreements. "While a strong democracy is not built on elections alone; it cannot exist unless it has a strong electoral system and administration," said Mohan. Democracy, stability, rule of law, peace and development are interlinked and are not competing priorities. Elections could be a great tool for promoting reconciliation, reducing armed struggle and increasing inclusion if preparatory steps are taken early and election administration bodies have sufficient time to plan and execute free, fair and inclusive elections. Nepal stands out as a successful example of an armed conflict transformed into a political process. The converse is also true; flawed elections could make matters much worse.
Other presenters examined case studies from Afghanistan, Haiti and Eastern Congo amongst others, to highlight key challenges in keeping the peace, strengthening the rule of law and improving mechanisms for collaboration. Panelists agreed that a lasting peace in post-crisis countries is more likely when the right investments are made in both democratic governance and development.
InterAction is the largest coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world's poor and most vulnerable people. With over 175 member organizations, InterAction helps expand opportunities and support gender equality in education, health care, agriculture, small business, and other areas. InterAction’s 2009 conference takes place from July 6-9 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.