Conference Agenda

“The world today is far more violent, and far more fragmented, than it was a decade ago.” — PRIO Conflict Trends Report, June 2025. Current conflicts being experienced in the Ukraine and Gaza are well known and seen by millions daily through divers’ news channels and social media. However, many fragile and conflict affected states such as Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Haiti, and Chad are lesser known while equally destructive and impactful on citizens (World Population Review, 2025).

Fragile and conflict-affected states face unique governance challenges where the very foundations of public administration—legitimacy, capacity, and accountability—are under strain. This book examines the critical role of public administration in rebuilding trust, restoring essential services, and laying the groundwork for peace and sustainable development in societies emerging from conflict.

Bringing together theoretical perspectives, institutional analysis, and real-world case studies, the book explores how governments and international partners navigate issues such as institutional collapse, corruption, resource management, and the delivery of public goods under extreme fragility. It highlights innovative approaches to decentralization, citizen participation, and resilience-building while emphasizing the centrality of inclusive and transparent governance to prevent relapse into conflict.

By integrating insights from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, the book offers comparative lessons on how public administration can serve as both a stabilizing force and a driver of long-term recovery. It provides policymakers, scholars, and practitioners with a comprehensive framework for understanding and strengthening governance in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.