ISSUE 136 : May/Jun - 1999 - Australian Defence Force Journal

30AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE JOURNAL NO. 136 MAY/JUNE 1999b. Social CommunicationAlerting field commanders to sensitive civiliancommunications, hidden agendas, andpropaganda manipulation, while implementingand sustaining constructive links with the targetpopulation;c. Principles of Community OwnershipAssisting field commanders to develop softstrategies aimed at working with localiseddifficulties through the promotion of localownership of problems/benefits, self esteem, andself determination;d. Community Empowerment & localparticipationIn liaison with chain of command working withcommunity leaders and stakeholders in correctlyidentifying problems, developing and linkingbenefits and generating self determined problemsolving. A soft strategy based on cyclic processfocused on returning localised power. Immediatemoves in this direction will start a process thatimpedes local conflict with the UN mandate, aswas the culturally based case in Rwanda/Somalia.This strategy develops the foundation for thelonger term PD goal of socio-politicalharmony/stability with the host region. It has theadvantage of practical, on-the-groundskilling/training, and “big picture” orientation, asdistinct to ambiguous “cooperative diplomacy” orshort term “Hearts and Minds”;e. Using Change AgentsBased on appropriately assessed site specificconditions the use of relevant change agents aid insupport to promote training, regionaleconomy/infrastructure eg. in Somalia a goodchange agent was provision of veterinary care bythe Indian contingent as distinct from mechanisedfarming implements. Media control, but withdemonstrated movement toward communityownership, is integral to this process. In PD acommunity-based vacuum of information can bemanipulated by belligerents;f. Local Participation in project cycleThe encouragement of all involved in local projectcycles, with leadership from behind in the contextof predetermined provision of logistical support,basic infrastructure and community basedinfrastructure training with set timeframes and setobjectives. In liaison with local leadership, agreedgeneral coordination while generating a real,active and constructive image of PDthroughout the community. This would have theeffect of nullifying resistance, alienating and/orpacifying belligerents and developing/maintaininga constructive, culturally based, self-determininglocal political agenda. It would be objectively andessentially an enabling role. Alert to anddefining/maintaining impartiality-controlledemotional involvement as an objective in itself.Soft patrols using “Hearts and Minds” with a longterm objective;g. Creating StakeholdersThere are stakeholders in every community. Akey skill in community development is identifyingand creating relevant stakeholders, and workingwith them to identify issues, meet communityneed and identifying community owned benefits.Stakeholders are a key element in generating selfdeterminationand community ownership;h. Tracking ProgressWith the tactics outlined above objectives aretangible, and more to the point professionallydefinable. Within corporate methodology,progress can be tracked toward the achievementof objectives. So at any one time the fieldcommander can assess the effective status of hisoperation, effectively troubleshoot, and not relyon fluid, potentially double barrelled orambiguous information/outcomes;i. Linking BenefitsThis is a key area where cooperation between PKand HA can play a very powerful role in localarea stabilisation as part of the process toward PD.Appropriately linked benefits in liaison with thelocal community can make the whole operation ofresource and its implementation effective.Particularly if the strategy is focused onpromoting self determination in the hostcommunity;j. Distribution of BenefitsAppropriate distribution that enhances communityempowerment/ownership allows the local area PDstrategy to spread into neighbouring regions;k. Involving CommunityThis is the first stage and political side of the PDLeaders process. The approach is clinicallyprofessional with no political objective other thanthe mandate. A large military force enablesenforcement to the impartial discussion table andwhere all parties are assigned rules and roles inthe PD process. The key positive motivator herebeing stability and infrastructure in the region.Non cooperation by a belligerent will therefore bea self grown negative political image. Positiverespondents will rapidly gain ground as a result ofthe PD process Any violent reaction is isolatedand controlled, but access to the discussion tableand HA continues (only a large force will enable