Reaching for Stability: Strengthening Civil Society-Donor Partnerships in East Timor: Too Often in East Timor the Need to Spend Donor Funding Dictates Methodological Choices, and the Recipient of Development Funding Becomes of Secondary Priority to Donor Reporting
2003; Columbia University; Volume: 57; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0022-197X
Autores Tópico(s)Peacebuilding and International Security
ResumoThe days of unity around a central and common enemy are over in East Timor. The one-year anniversary of independence has passed and challenges have emerged in every sector and across the country. While the vast majority of issues are not new, they are no longer secondary to the collective goal of independence. Following the United Nations (UN)-led transitional period and a year of self-government, there is a lack of perceived progress in areas including the economy, health, education and political transparency. While patience is still the norm, frustration is beginning to increase and violence is emerging in some areas. The new government is working to strengthen the economy, health, education and political transparency through its various ministries and departments, and has articulated its work plan and presented its priorities to its development partners. Meanwhile, the new government inherited a land of destroyed infrastructure; extreme poverty; high inflation, relative to neighboring countries; a bureaucracy with no established ethic; a population divided by strong political and historical affiliations; all against the traumatic backdrop of Portuguese Colonial rule and Indonesian occupation. The needs throughout East Timor are so vast and limitations of government so real that communities, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and donor agencies must coordinate efforts and act based on their respective strengths to support and complement government priorities. This is important both as a means for development, as well as for social stability. Steps need to be taken to deflect discontented elements in the population from again resorting to violence. A comprehensive strategy for violence prevention requires an engaged and respected civil society that is future oriented and given a voice by means that are supported and strengthened by international and local actors. THE CONTEXT The population of East Timor, estimated at between 700,000 and 800,000, is spread throughout 13 districts and over 14,600 square kilometers, including the island of Atauro and the enclave of Oecussi. (1) Poor road conditions contribute to a relatively immobile population and sparsely populated villages in extremely remote areas, hindering the ability of the government to identify and respond to the needs of the population. Each ministry has been faced with tough choices because of limited budgets and had to choose priority areas of focus despite many relevant needs. In the near- to medium-term, the government cannot address the needs of the people alone, and it should not need to. Lack of food security, both in terms of quality and diversity of crops produced and quantity of foods available, creates uncertainties in many areas of the country. There are cyclical and systemic food shortages in many areas of East Timor between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season. In many areas there is no singular cause of the food shortages. Food production, transport and storage systems must be designed on a national level. Water supply systems are critical both for agricultural productivity as well as health and hygiene. An improvement in the supply of food and water is also necessary as a means of increasing nutrition levels, particularly for children. Improved economic security, including access to economic activities and markets, is among the most widely sought after tangible need in the country Sensitive issues related to levels of taxation and creation of a sound policy with regard to providing incentives for local and international investment in East Timor will also play a role in long-term economic security for the country. (2) Agriculture-related economies, including issues of self-sufficiency in production versus importation of cheaper commodities from other parts of the region, are of particular importance in this regard and are clearly related to questions of food production and water supply. …
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