Announce

”Conflict, Security, and Development”
Co-Organized by: the World Bank and JICA
 Supported by: Ministry of Finace of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and
The Graduate Program on Human Security, University of Tokyo

       The World Bank (WB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are pleased to invite the interested audience to a WB-JICA Joint Seminar on “Conflict, Security, and Development.” At this time of the launching of the recently published World Development Report (WDR) 2011 titled “Conflict, Security, and Development” in Japan, and combining with JICA Research Institute's research project on conflict prevention in Africa, the joint seminar aims to discuss the changing nature of conflict and policy options to tackle the problem of violence and fragility.

       Featuring Ms. Sarah Cliffe, who led the WDR 2011 team at the Bank, Session 1 of the seminar will introduce the major arguments and policy recommendations contained in the Report. This report underlines the negative impact of repeated cycles of violence on country or region’s development prospects, and calls for the need to strengthen legitimate national institutions and governance in order to provide “citizen security, justice, and jobs.” Joining The World Bank Representative(being adjusted) as commentators are distinguished researchers and development practitioners who will share their comments and observations based on their various backgrounds and experiences.
      
       Focusing on conflict prevention in Africa, Session 2 of the seminar will exhibit the provisional findings from the JICA-RI’s research project “Prevention of Violent Conflicts in Africa.” The JICA-RI’s international research team analyzes the mechanism of how structural conditions, political institutions, and people’s perceptions influence the stability/instability of a country. Opinion surveys conducted in seven African countries reveal new dimensions to analyze conflict risks and design assistance strategies.
      
       The Seminar is expected to offer an opportunity for international scholars and practitioners to have mutual and candid dialogues which will produce more innovative policy implications through synergetic effects.

1.  Date: Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 (13:30-17:45)
2.  Venue: JICA Research Institute (JICA-RI) / International Conference Hall
3.  Program: See below

Ms. Sarah Cliffe has to cancel her trip to Tokyo for an urgent business. She will be joining the seminar via Video Conference.
We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience.

Tentative Program

Session 1: World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development

13:30-14:30 Presentations (60 min)
* WDR2011 “Conflict, Security, and Development”: Ms. Sarah Cliffe, WB (via video conference)
* Policy Implications from WDR2011: Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Senior Vice-President of JICA
* Operationalizing WDR2011 Recommendations: Dr. Stephen Ndegwa, WB

14:30-15:10 Comments (40 min)
* Perspectives on the WDR2011: Prof. Frances Stewart, Director of CRISE(Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity) at Oxford University
* Comments from JICA-RI: Dr. Shinichi Takeuchi, JICA-RI
* Comments from experiences with UNAMA in Afghanistan: Prof. Daisaku Higashi, University of Tokyo and JICA-RI
* additional commentators to be determined

15:10-15:30 Question and Answer Session (open to the floor) (20 min)

-- Coffee Break --

Session 2: Preventing Violent Conflict in Africa: Findings from JICA-RI Research

15:45-16:45 Presentations (60 min)
* “Prevention of Violent Conflicts in Africa: Project Overview and Political Institutions for Conflict Prevention”: Prof. Yoichi Mine, JICA-RI and Doshisha University
* “What Perception Surveys Tell Us About Horizontal Inequalities and Conflicts in Africa”: Dr. Arnim Langer, Director of the Centre for Research on Peace and Development (CRPD), University of Leuven, Belgium
* “Horizontal Inequalities and Conflict Prevention”: Prof. Frances Stewart, Director of CRISE at Oxford University

16:45-17:15 Comments (30 min)
* Dr. Stephen Ndegwa, WB
* Mr. Toshiyuki Niwa, UNDP Tokyo
* Prof. Mitsugi Endo, University of Tokyo

17:15- 17:45 Question and Answer Session (open to the floor) (30 min)