English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...

Chapter2Conceptual framework forpost-conflict state building1. Setting the contextBishnu Raj Upreti 1In general, post-conflict period refers to the duration between signingof the peace agreement and completion of the implementation of theprovisions stated in the peace agreement that brings societal normalcy.Therefore, it is a transitional period from conflict to peace and also aphase of institutionalisation of the achievements made in the transitionperiod. In the case of Nepal, such institutionalisation process is achievedthrough drafting a new constitution containing the provisions articulatedin the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) (such as state restructuring,economic prosperity, human rights, etc.) and other agreementsthereafter.By and large, peace refers to a state of social, psychological, physical andspiritual wellbeing on individual and society as whole. In the context ofNepal, a country emerging from the decade-long bloody war, peace is astate of restoring normal relations among people and among institutionsdirectly and/or indirectly affected by the armed conflict and addressingthe root causes such as social exclusion, marginalisation, deprivation, malgovernance,social disharmony and ethnic tension, as well as achievingsocial, psychological, mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Nepalisociety is fractured, disconnected, frustrated and alienated due to thecivil war and associated effects. Therefore, achieving stability and peace inNepal requires appropriate process that deals with the past and envisionsbetter future by generating hope and aspiration. In this regard, peacebuilding is crucially important in Nepal. It refers to strategies and actionsto be undertaken to institutionalise achievements made through theimplementation of provisions in peace agreement.Stability, for the purpose of this chapter, is defined as efforts made andto be made to terminate hostilities, consolidate peace, and promoteconcerted actions those prevent political unrests. While defining stability,OECD (2008) focuses on the actions undertaken by international actors to1South Asia Regional Coordinator, Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR North-South); bupreti@nccr.wlink.com.np17