And very good they were.
The first, on assistance in conflict zones and how to engage in it without having a negative impact on the conflict, was not really about gathering lessons, but about catching up on the state of the world and our work in it. We actually already know quite a bit about working in conflict zones. We're not so good at conveying what we know to other actors or getting them to listen when we try.
A crucial reminder that was repeated often was that the experience of Iraq is not normative. Most of the world didn't change on September 11th or in March 2003 and, from a humanitarian perspective, it doesn't look so different. We also agreed to disagree - as we always do at such conferences - about the "state of humanitarianism" and whether or not this should be the year we reevaluate everything. (Nearly needless to say, I think this is one of the silly conversations, but it means a lot to some people.)
The second was a learning conference for a project investigating communities in conflict zones that develop strategies to keep out of or to exempt themselves from the logic of the conflict. Conflict often seems overwhelming. It appears as though everyone is involved. This is never the case at the individual level where the vast majority (usually more than 99%) of people do not actively participate, but such a lack of involvement is generally passive, a sort of keeping the head down in the hopes that the conflict will pass by. There are, however, often communities that take a more active role in resisting the conflict, communities that do not join in ethnic cleansing, do not engage in sectarian violence, do not participate in genocide. Their stories are often missed or are perceived to be unique and so not pursued for potential lessons.
We are currently gathering case studies and this conference was focused on drawing out common themes. It was a beginning, so don't expect any lessons yet.
But one thing we think we do know: communities that succeed plan for the worst. The worst thing a community can do is to say, "It can't happen here". Instead, "It could happen here. Now - what do we do to make sure that it doesn't?"
Posted by Martial