Executive Summary: The 7th SEACSN Regional Conference “Issue Based Reconciliation”, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 2003

Executive Summary: The 7th SEACSN Regional Conference “Issue Based Reconciliation”, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 2003

Clearly evident – all (people and government must want peace) and here, the commitment of national leaders is vital, almost a precondition, for any local, national and international peace to occur. Hence, the need for ‘Nelson Mandela’s’ for reconciliation to be successful with exemplary leaders paving the way to the future. However, IS THIS IN SHORT SUPPLY? HOW TO OVERCOME THIS DEFICIT? WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Understanding the process of reconciliation, there is always the need to appreciate the various tensions and dilemmas that are operating at any one time: how to balance the needs of the people and government? The need for justice and retribution? The need for economic development and political stability and the quest for justice?

How to tackle the problem of perceptions? How to synchronize the beliefs and expectations of different actors in a political entity. What is JUSTICE at any one time? (Independence, retribution, compensation, acknowledgement of wrongdoings?)

How to understand and factor the role of external players, especially the Great Powers, in conflicts in the region? Is it realistic to continue to talk of reconciliation and conflict resolution when the external Giants who have so much influence and interest would want to see the regional turmoil continue and even perpetuated through the local allies, often the military and corrupt politicians or even economic partners?

An important lesson that can be learnt is that it takes great resilience, patience and persistence to heal wounds and achieve long-term peace. It is almost unnatural for former enemies to live together. There are no magic formulas. However, confidence and trust are vital, and both sides need to compromise for a future good. Otherwise, the conflict, especially, need for revenge, will continue.

Parties to conflict must be convinced that there is ‘LIFE AFTER CONFLICT RESOLUTION’. Hence, the need to safeguard all the parties and their interests as part of the reconciliation, settlement and resolution process. Otherwise, it will fail. Integrating former enemies and giving them incentives to do so is an important part of this peace process even though this is easily said than done.

It is self-evident that due to the litany of conflicts, Southeast Asia has many experiences of conflict resolution, conflict settlement, conflict management and reconciliation. Why should we waste them? Is it not time, despite the different sources and modicum of settlements, that these become learning journeys for peace and harmony. These can become part of the Regional Peace Projects for others to learn and where the ‘best practices’ might be useful for certain conflict situations. Can we develop a registry of these ‘’learning journeys’’ for others to benefit? Is there a Southeast Asia ‘way’ to this?

In his final synthesis of the conference Professor Singh concluded:

• Lack of peace and continuation of conflicts are very costly to all, especially the victims.

• It takes times and a great deal of human effort to achieve this. Peace makers cannot lose heart.

• Peace is power and the power of peace should not be underestimated.

• That is the only guarantee of our wellbeing and hence the need to continue studying and understanding all aspects that would achieve this ultimate goal of mankind, at least for us, at the local, national and regional level.

• The SEACSN Cambodia wish to thank Professor Singh for his comprehensive summary of the proceedings and to all the participants, moderators and presenters for making issue-based reconciliation come to life in Phnom Penh. It was an honour for the friends and colleagues associated with SEACSN in Cambodia to be hosting such an event. Please come again

  ---

• Letter from the Editor

• SINGAPORE: De-politicising Civil Society Kenneth Paul Tan

• BRUNEI: Civil Society & Conflict Avoidance: the case of Brunei Darussalem Hj Sainah Hj Saim

• INDONESIA: Security Sector Reform in Indonesia: The case of Indonesia’s Defence White Paper 2003 Anak Agung Banya Perwita
  

• VIETNAM: The Vietnam Women’s Union: the unique role in development activities Ni Komang Widiani

• Executive Summary: The 7th SEACSN Regional Conference “Issue Based Reconciliation”, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 2003

• The SEACSN Proposal: Working for Peace in 2004 – 2006

• Forthcoming SEACSN Activities