State-building — need for local ownership
The 'Local ownership and peace missions' (PEACE) project underlined the importance of accounting for the local population's needs and perceptions in state-building interventions. To better understand this concept, it advanced an integrated theoretical model, focusing on international involvement in the Balkans (Kosovo) and the Caribbean. Local ownership programmes need to be included in state-building activities to guard against a clash of paradigms. This is a very real threat when the means of the intervention are not aligned with the local setting. Prime examples in this regard are the international administrations of Kosovo and Timor-Leste put in place at the turn of the century. Researchers conducted literature reviews on development studies and security sector reform, and carried out extensive field work in Haiti and Kosovo. They then applied the insights gained to the field of peace missions. Findings were presented at related international conventions in 2012 and at the International Studies Association Annual Conference in 2013. The theoretical groundwork contributed to the literature and a revised definition of the concept. Activities in this particular area of research resulted in a book titled 'The Semantics of Statebuilding'. Using post-earthquake Haiti and Kosovo as case studies, PEACE identified practices in the use of the local ownership concept in specific state-building activities. The goal was to determine how its incorporation influences the legitimacy of international actors involved in the intervention. Participation in the research project 'Precarious Neighbourhoods and Sustainable Urban Development in Haiti' enabled additional fieldwork and advanced expertise on the topic. This helped to further conceptualise the impact of international actions on local societies. Project outcomes (including scientific publications and policy briefs) contributed to the international debate on good practices in state-building operations. They also laid a foundation for more innovative research projects on related topics. Finally, PEACE was instrumental in establishing an independent researcher position in Europe, thus enhancing the particular European Research Area.