The Poverty and Conflict (PAC) programme started in November 2002, initially with a three-year timeframe, and subsequently extended to May 2006. The Programme is funded through financial assistance from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).
Rationale and Conceptual ApproachConflict has featured significantly in Sri Lanka’s recent history and social development. While the conflict in the North and East has dominated the country’s politico-economic landscape, other forms of conflict have also had a significant impact on society. These include conflicts over socially divisive factors (such as ethnicity, class, caste and religion) and conflict as a result of competition over trade and natural resources (such as land and water). By exploring the relationship between the varied forms of social conflict and poverty, the Programme seeks to improve its understanding of this two-way relationship and equip others with its knowledge and learning.
There seems to be a growing consensus among development practitioners and theoreticians alike, that poverty and conflict cannot continue to be regarded mutually exclusive elements of social development. New trends indicate sensitivity towards linkages between these phenomena. With a view to ultimately feeding into the policy discourse in the area through dialogue and exchange activities, the Programme aims to better understand the nexus between poverty and conflict through applied research and in turn, develop and provide relevant advisory and training capacities for reducing conflict potential of development interventions.
Goal and Purpose
The goal of the PAC Programme is to ensure that conflict analysis is mainstreamed into development policy and practice. The purpose, to ensure that key stakeholders, from policy makers to local organisations, will make better-informed choices and decisions on policy and practice based their strengthened understanding of conflict issues.
Second Phase of PAC
The PAC programme entered its second phase in April 2006. Dfid provided bridging funds for the 1st year of the programme. This support is due to end on 31st March 2007. The team has secured funding for a study on community peace building mechanisms in Puttalam from the European Union (EU) EIDHR micro project facility, and funding for a study on Conflict affectedness in the border areas, with a special focus on the Muslim community from the World Bank post conflict fund. The team will continue to use the body of knowledge gained from the first phase of the programme to feed into training and communication activities.
