Project Summary

The end of the 27-year war in Angola presents an important window of opportunity to restore the basic conditions of human security so that the country can and its people can achieve their potential.

The foundation and its project partners held meetings in Luanda (July 2003) and Geneva (October 2003) to further the dialogue between the Government of Angola, donor governments, the United Nations, and members of Angolan civil society, discuss the future of Angola, and strengthen partnerships as the country moves toward recovery, reconstruction, and development. Participants agreed that after decades of war, stakeholders have a chance to define new relationships and develop new mechanisms between the Government and the international community for a successful transition.

Angola is a vast country and the war had different effects on populations in different regions. Even with war over, though, significant numbers of Angolans still remain dependent on assistance for their very survival, while others have very serious (if not life-threatening) humanitarian needs. But still others are poised to begin developing economically. As a result, the range of economic, social, and administrative issues that confront Angola's government, people, and international partners represents a tremendous undertaking. The summary of the Geneva meeting, entitled "Towards a Strengthened Partnership for Angolan Recovery and Development," outlines many of the challenges involved and recommends priorities.

This project was organized jointly with Strategic Humanitarian Action and Research (SHARE) and its founder, Arthur C. Helton, a longtime advocate for the needs and rights of those displaced by war. After Arthur was killed in Baghdad on August 19, 2003, the conference in Geneva, which he was to have chaired, was dedicated to his memory. Roberta Cohen, a fellow advocate for the dispossessed and co-director of the Brookings-SAIS Johns Hopkins Project on Internal Displacement chaired the meeting in Arthur's stead. Discussion papers were commissioned from experts on Angola, including the recent UN resident coordinator. They are available on this site in both Portuguese and English.

This project was also planned in cooperation with Refugees International, the Washington-based advocacy group, which has been making regular humanitarian assessments since 1998. Additional support was provided by the Open Society Foundation - Angola, the Swiss Federal Office for Refugees and the Luso-American Foundation.

Geneva Meeting (October 2003)
"Strengthening the UN-Angolan Partnership"

List of Participants

Towards a Strengthened Partnership for Angolan Recovery and Development
Meeting summary (pdf 164 KB)

Para uma Parceria Reforçada na Recuperação e Desenvolvimento Angolanos (pdf 152 KB)

Angola: Consolidating Peace through Relief and Development
Discussion paper by Erick de Mul (pdf 141 KB)

Angola: Consolidação da Paz Através da Ajuda e do Desenvolvimento (pdf 156 KB)

Luanda Meeting (July 2003)
"International Donors and Civil Society: Implications for Angola's Recovery and the Displaced"

List of Participants

Angola's Second Chance
Discussion Paper by John Prendergast and Jessica Bowers (pdf 161 KB)

Segunda Oportunidade Para Angola (pdf 185 KB)

Civil Society & Community Reconstruction in Post-War Angola
Discussion paper by Allan Cain (pdf 390 KB)

Sociedade Civil & Reabilitação Comunitária no Pós-guerra de Angola (pdf 387 KB)