BEYOND BUNGEE CORD HUMANITARIANISM - TOWARDS A DEVELOPMENTAL AGENDA FOR PEACEBUILDING

This article presents ten caveats that might serve as points of refere nce in our efforts to formulate efficient and effective peacebuilding and reconstruction (PBR) initiatives. It is motivated by a concern tha t the contributions of Canada and the international community to PBR m ay be limited by narrow and shortsighted understandings of the nature of the PBR challenge. It calls for a much more critical and self-consc ious approach which draws on and cultivates indigenous peacebuilding r esources. Most importantly, it cautions against ''bungee cord humanita rianism,'' (i.e., limited, short-term, in-out operations) while arguin g for the need to recognize PBR as a ''developmental'' process requiri ng sustained commitment, imagination, and creativity.