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Outcome

Sixty-two participants, speakers, and observers from over twenty-three countries in the Asia-Pacific gathered in Hiroshima to discuss six different cases of post-conflict reconstruction efforts in the region over the last fifty years, namely post-World War II Japan, post-1953 Korea, post-1974 Vietnam, post-1992 Cambodia, post-1999 East Timor and present day Afghanistan.

The international conference on post-conflict reconstruction was held from 11 to 13 November 2002 and brought together more than 60 scholars, government officials, representatives of civil society and international organization involved in this theme. The Conference reviewed - both historically and contemporaneously -- more than half a century of reconstruction attempts in the Asia-Pacific region, studying key questions, notably: what are the policies and practices that have directly impacted the form, speed and sustainability of reconstruction? What role, if any, has the international community played in the reconstruction process of a country, and what is its record? How can international assistance for reconstruction be made more effective? What are the lessons of the past and do they apply to present day situations?

In preparation for the Conference and its follow-up, UNITAR started a wide consultation with experts involved in the six case studies, namely post-World War II Japan, post-1953 Korea, post-1974 Vietnam, post-1992 Cambodia, post-1999 East Timor and present day Afghanistan. A research mission travelled to Afghanistan in September 2002 and conducted more than thirty interviews with government officials and key international actors. The Hiroshima conference attempted to identify the history and specificity of past and present post-conflict situations and the role of different stakeholders. The conference proceedings will be published in book form.

The conference was part of the pilot phase conducted jointly by UNITAR and the Hiroshima Prefectural Government towards the opening a UNITAR centre for the Asia-Pacific region in Hiroshima on 15 July 2003. The November 2002 conference follows two preceding events also held in Hiroshima, on the themes of 'World Heritage sites management' (October 2001) and 'Sea and Human Security' (March 2002).