Abstract

There is a growing academic literature on the role of cultural sensitivity in post-conflict peace-building. However, the role of local knowledge in a post-conflict reconstruction setting is rarely discussed explicitly. Attempting to fill the gap, this research paper aims at understanding why local knowledge is imperative to achieve just and equitable post-conflict reconstruction policies and practices. Using qualitative field data, the paper is based on the experiences and lessons learned from the post-conflict reconstruction efforts (2015–2019) in the tribal district of North Waziristan (NW), Pakistan. The paper finds out that while establishing human security as a benchmark, top-down reconstruction policies and projects ignore local knowledge and, in fact, exacerbate pre-existing fragilities by creating new winners and losers. The refashioning of the social order, along with notions of justice and equity, in the post-conflict setting results in local disputes among families and tribes. The paper argues that cultural-sensitive reconstruction planning is even more pertinent and pragmatic in “close-knit community” settings, where people remain dependent on continuous social and economic relationships with each other. Rather, a less sensitive approach to cultural factors most often fosters discord, thereby reinforcing tensions and power inequalities.

摘要

关于文化敏感性在冲突后建设和平中的作用的学术文献越来越多。但是，很少明确讨论本地知识在冲突后重建环境中的作用。为了填补这一空白，本研究报告旨在了解为什么必须要有当地知识才能实现公正和公平的冲突后重建政策和做法。本文使用定性现场数据，基于从巴基斯坦北瓦济里斯坦（NW）部落地区的冲突后重建工作（2015-2019）中获得的经验和教训。该论文发现，在将人类安全作为基准的同时，自上而下的重建政策和项目忽略了当地知识，实际上，通过创造新的赢家和输家，加剧了先前存在的脆弱性。在冲突后环境中，社会秩序的重新塑造以及正义与公平的观念的转变，导致了家庭和部落之间的局部纠纷。该论文认为，在“紧密联系的社区”环境中，对文化敏感的重建计划更加相关和务实，因为人们仍然依赖于彼此之间持续不断的社会和经济关系。相反，对文化因素不那么敏感的做法通常会加剧不和，从而加剧紧张关系和权力不平等。人们仍然依赖彼此之间持续不断的社会和经济关系。相反，对文化因素不那么敏感的做法通常会加剧不和，从而加剧紧张关系和权力不平等。人们仍然依赖彼此之间持续不断的社会和经济关系。相反，对文化因素不那么敏感的做法通常会加剧不和，从而加剧紧张关系和权力不平等。