Reconstruction

Cluster Description:  Reconstruction 

Projects undertaken within the Reconstruction cluster investigate the holistic nature of human insecurity in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region; particularly, in relationship to the work needed to develop sustainable social, economic and environmental reconstruction solutions. Research projects furthermore seek to capture the achievements and lessons learned of a broad variety of stakeholders: from donors and national decision-makers to communities of vulnerable, conflict-affected peoples.  A primary aim of the cluster is to contribute perspectives developed in the region to the international knowledge pool of policy and praxis in reconstruction, recovery and conflict transformation.

Approaches to research prioritized by the RHSC are those which support evidence-based policy development and which have implications for enhancement of regional social sustainability.  These necessarily consider the root causes of violent conflict, as well as problems arising from implementation of recovery and reconstruction interventions and aid modalities. 

While reconstruction efforts in the region are often undertaken in cooperation with local and regional actors, there remains a deficit of voices from within the region which are incorporated into the policy planning and strategic management of reconstruction.  The conviction that ‘good’ reconstruction can play a substantive role in building sustainable peace and establishing competent, representative national institutions in conflict-affected countries has many adherents.  The ways in which these goals are being addressed, however, in addition to how well prior, current and unfolding reconstruction paradigms are serving these goals, deserve wider exploration; particularly, by those long-term stakeholders residing within the region's unique context.

Formulation of a regional vision for reconstruction within a wider human security paradigm is also supported by the RHSC through organized opportunities for dialogue among regional stakeholders, practitioners and decision-makers via seminars, consultations, and training programs.   

Current and Recent Research Projects

The Reconstruction of Gaza: A Guidance Note for Palestinian and International Stakeholders

Impact Assessment of the 2008/09 Financial Crisis on the Human Security of Palestinian Refugee Camp Residents      

Aid Accountability and Effectiveness:  Building Reliability into Multi-lateral Reconstruction Management through Mitigating Moral Hazard     

Socio-Economic Impacts of Reconstruction on Iraqi Women      

Iraqi Visions of Reconstruction  

Democracy and Constraints on Political Development in Iraq   

Israeli Expectations and Perceptions of Limitations for Post-war Iraq

Iraqi Policy and Human Security

Policy Framework for Recovery, Reconstruction and Human Security in the WANA Region

Mapping of Recovery and Reconstruction Interventions in the WANA Region                   

Reconstruction Cluster Team Members

Karen Janjua, Research Fellow, Head of Cluster

Sansom Milton, Visiting Researcher

Heyam Khateeb, Research Assistant

Basil Hussein, Iraqi Scholar-in-Residence

Wissal Al-Azzawi, Iraqi Scholar-in-Residence

Khalid Ismail, Iraqi Scholar-in-Residence

Prof. Sultan Barakat, Visiting Consultant/Advisor, Director, Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit, University of York, UK