A number of studies have shown that post-conflict reconstruction is most successful when all segments of society are engaged in the process. Therefore, as part of their efforts to rebuild robust public administration systems, post-conflict countries must seek to involve and engage citizens in decision-making. Public administration being an instrument of the state must be constructed around a clear understanding of what the State is expected to do in relation to the other actors in the private and civil society sectors. It is a mistake to proceed to reconstruct public administration without knowing the aspirations of the society and the missions of the state both at the particular moment and in the future. The process of determining these two must be highly participatory.  It must be seen that the aspirations of the population and the missions of the state are determined by the people themselves. For this to happen the fundamental work requires a leadership committed to advancing development by involving the people, and committed to be bound by the “rules of the game” that are established. At the same time, it requires actors, processes and mechanisms to mobilize and involve citizens in the reconstruction process. Without a transformation of mind-sets, especially, but not exclusively, among political leaders and public sector managers in favour of participatory governance, there can be no lasting peace.

 

 

One key strategy in this regard is to engage actors at the local levels, especially vulnerable groups, including women and the youth. Arguably, peace cannot be lasting unless both men and women can participate in peacebuilding, influence reconstruction and development efforts and equally enjoy their benefits. Gender-specific issues need to be addressed as part of the formal post-conflict decision-making process in order to affect policy and programming development. Hence, both men and women need to be participants, voicing their respective gender perspectives within a spirit of coexistence, nonviolence and inclusiveness. Just as it is vital for women to participate in post-conflict governance, so it is vital to engage minority groups, particularly in multi-ethnic societies. The State “must be a polity that is shared by all citizens of the country” (Daskalovski 2007, p. 207). When a group of citizens does not identify with the symbols, legal systems and institutions of a State, its legitimacy is critically undermined. This triggers social unrest that can slow down reconstruction and development processes or even escalate into violent conflict.