Problematising resilience: development practice and the case of Palestine. Issue 4 (18th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keelan, Emma Patricia; Browne, Brendan Ciarán
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 30:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 459
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2020-05-18
• Subjects: Aid – Development policies, Aid effectiveness -- Civil society – NGOs -- Conflict and reconstruction -- Arab States; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2020.1724885
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article considers the rapid rise of a resilience discourse in relation to its application in humanitarian and developmental aid in Palestine. In Palestine, the term resilience has permeated the operational policy of leading NGOs. The article argues that uncritical application of the language of resilience is deeply problematic in places such as Palestine where the asymmetrical nature of the conflict is sustained by international political inertia, significant aid dependency, and intersectional and multi-layered conflict experience. Adopting a resilience discourse simultaneously embeds the colonial nature of conflict in Palestine and maintains the status quo rather than agitating for change.