Measuring Truth and Reconciliation? Lessons from Sierra Leone

Open to the Public

Over the last decade, truth and reconciliation commissions have been initiated in many countries emerging out of conflicts. A broad consensus has developed that truth-seeking not only contributes to reconciliation, but also alleviates victims' suffering, promotes trust, contributes to the consolidation of democracy, and helps prevent future conflict. In spite of the development of truth and reconciliation commissions as an international norm, empirically assessing these assumed benign effects has been challenging. In this seminar, the speakers introduce a community-level survey methodology for assessing the impact of truth and reconciliation commissions. They develop and present the initial application of this methodology to the case of the truth and reconciliation commission in Sierra Leone (2000).

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Date: Thu, May 14, 2009 Time: 12:15pm - 02:00pm Location: Littauer Building - Belfer Center Library, Room 369

Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Moyamba, Sierra Leone, 2003

Over the last decade, truth and reconciliation commissions have been initiated in many countries emerging out of conflicts. A broad consensus has developed that truth-seeking not only contributes to reconciliation, but also alleviates victims' suffering, promotes trust, contributes to the consolidation of democracy, and helps prevent future conflict. In spite of the development of truth and reconciliation commissions as an international norm, empirically assessing these assumed benign effects has been challenging. In fact, there is little knowledge and next to no consensus about the long-term consequences of truth and reconciliation commissions. Moreover, there are virtually no widely-acceptable methodologies for measuring these consequences and therefore for assessing the overall success of the commissions. In this seminar, the speakers introduce a community-level survey methodology for assessing the impact of truth and reconciliation commissions. They develop and present the initial application of this methodology to the case of the truth and reconciliation commission in Sierra Leone (2000).

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.