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The PAO David R. Andresen and the  Moderator during the DVC (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Digital Video Conference on Breaking the Conflict Trap

The US Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire organized a Digital Video Conference on March 4 about the World Bank Report: "Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy." The report had already served as a topic for two book discussions held in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro.

About 50 key Ivoirian contacts -- government officials, NGO leaders, and civil society activists– attended this remarkable program. The discussions with Professor Collier – the author of the report – centered on the political, military, social, and economic challenges and problems that Côte d’Ivoire should anticipate over the next ten years, if it wants to go from being a country at war and divided to one that is stable and secure.

The conference offered Ivorian leaders, policy makers and opinion shapers the opportunity to examine the question of how to effectively bring to an end a civil strife, how to rebuild a nation after years of destruction and disruption, and how to heal a society wounded by war and divided by fear.

Using many African examples to make his point, Collier was pragmatic and open about the landmines and pitfalls that lie ahead of Côte d’Ivoire. The speaker noted that about 40% of countries recovering from civil war fall back into conflict. But he was also able to show his audience that these dangers can be overcome and dealt with, and have been in other countries. This note of optimism and hope was much appreciated by all.