Comparing Whole of Government Approaches to Fragile States

• May 2013
• Alexis Below, Anne-Sophie Belzile

• Number 3 Policy Paper
• Comparing Whole of Government Approaches to Fragile States

Successful engagement towards fragile states and situations requires the application of diplomatic, humanitarian, development and security measures in a coherent and well-sequenced manner. This so-called whole of government approach seeks to address the interdependent challenges for development and security in contexts of fragility and conflict in the most coordinated and efficient way. This study examines innovative efforts to implement a whole of government approach towards fragile states in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada and Australia. For each country, the authors analyse the conceptualisation and institutionalisation of the whole of government approach by discussing related strategies and frameworks, institutional arrangements and funding mechanisms as well as the role of development policy. In the final section, the authors draw from the collective findings of all cases under consideration and propose recommendations for the further institutional development of the German approach.