Decreasing vulnerability to conflict in MENA through rural development

Decreasing vulnerability to conflict in MENA through rural development

Our knowledge and understanding of food security, poverty and conflict has improved significantly over the past years. Yet, the linkages between these three key elements of development are not well understood, especially not in Arab countries. This seminar starts closing this knowledge gap by providing an updated assessment of the current food security and poverty situation in Arab countries together with recommendations of key areas for policy priorities. It then provides an overview of different types of conflicts in the region and examines how conflicts are linked to development, with a special focus on food security and rural development. By going beyond the regional level, Somalia serves as a first case study country to examine what role droughts and rural development play for improving resilience to conflicts.