ABSTRACT

In this chapter, I introduce the approach for peace-building which SDC, UNDP and Mercy Corps adopt. I present its three components, their focus and their objectives. At the same time, I present the optics of the aid agencies, thus the way to ‘see’ conflicts in the Ferghana Valley. I then introduce the context of the Ferghana Valley to which this approach is applied. Finally, I present three cases of irrigation conflicts in the Ferghana Valley. They will serve as main points of reference for the following chapters of this book. I will make continuous reference to them and explore them further in order to develop my argument.