Reshaping Approaches to Sustainable Peacebuilding and Development in Fragile States - Part II

Reshaping Approaches to Sustainable Peacebuilding and Development in Fragile States - Part II

Reshaping Approaches to Sustainable Peacebuilding and Development in Fragile States - Part II

Part II: A Comprehensive Educational Programme on Ethics

By Dr Gervais Rufyikiri, Executive-in-Residence, Global Fellowship Initiative at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Fragile states face the impact of interrelated pressures stemming from dysfunctional public institutions, political instability and crises, the disintegration of the social fabric, economic collapse, and ineffective leadership. Part I of this study argued that leaders’ unethical behaviour is the root cause of state fragility and probably the most difficult challenge for any state to overcome. Part II identifies the ethical leadership dimension as a key factor in any attempt to lay the foundations for a lasting remedy to the various manifestations of state fragility. Then, a comprehensive ethics education programme is suggested as an efficient and effective way of cultivating ethical leadership in fragile states.

Dr Gervais Rufyikiri has a diversified experience both in academic research and in the political field. Former Vice-President of Burundi (2010-2015) and President of the Senate of Burundi (2005-2010), he contributed to build postconflict institutions. Dr Rufyikiri has written many scientific articles reporting his findings in the domain of agriculture, environment and politics. He also lectured at universities in Burundi. Since 2017, he is Executive-in-Residence, Global Fellowship Initiative at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Dr Rufyikiri was educated in Burundi and in Belgium. He holds a doctoral degree in Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering.