IIEP Strategic debates

Moving out of fragility through capacity development: Illusion or imperative?

Held in March 2011 and presented by James Hradsky, Senior Co-ordinator for Capacity Development, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) / Development Assistance Committee (DAC); Anton de Grauwe, Senior Programme Specialist, IIEP; Abdul Wassay Arian, Director of Planning, Afghan Ministry of Education

Capacity development (CD) as a crucial element of state building is now widely recognized by development partners – not least in the education sector. Indeed, recent international frameworks reveal an agreement that the development of sustainable human and institutional capacity is an important condition for a country’s self-reliance and self-determination.

While CD is now a major component of most forms of development cooperation, fragile states face particular and often daunting challenges. These include unstable political environments, security challenges, weak institutions, and a limited number of technically well-trained individuals.

What evidence do we have on approaches to CD that work well in a fragile state context? Is it possible to develop a long-term vision for CD when the broader political and institutional environments are not stabilized? What are the most appropriate means and modalities? What should be the role of development partners and of ministries of education in favor of sustainable CD?

This IIEP Strategic Debate bring together the perspectives of the donor community coordinated by the OECD/DAC, a reflection on the specificities of CD in the education sector, and a country point of view from Afghanistan, where the Ministry of Education has made significant progress over the past decade in its institutional and technical capacity to deliver educational services.

The debate was moderated by Khalil Mahshi, Director, IIEP.

For more information, please contact: A. De Grauwe

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