Kerian McManus, vice president of Development at DynCorp International, presented “Beyond Whole of Government—the Missing Strategic Partner:  the Role of the Private Sector in Mitigating Conflict and Reinforcing Stability,” at the 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference held February 7-9, at the Westin Alexandria in Alexandria, Va.

In his presentation, McManus discussed:

• Employment, productivity, and social stability in conflict and post-conflict environments

• Sustainability, resilience, and security from economic opportunity

• Transitioning a post-conflict environment into a fringe or emerging market

• The costs of failing to incorporate private sector input in strategic dialogue

• The “Babel Fish” factor in traditional government and private sector strategic partnership, that is, speaking the same language

• Models, options, and the potential benefits of a “4D” future (defense, diplomacy, development and “dollars” – private sector support and investment)

McManus challenged conference attendees to think differently about their individual approaches to reconstruction and stabilization and how the private sector could add value and momentum to their activities. In the current context of budget austerity, McManus highlighted how the private sector and more importantly, private sector investment, could help alleviate mission stress caused by cuts in funding.

The Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference

DI Development, a business of DynCorp International, was the primary sponsor of the 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference which brought together several key players in the industry to discuss the ongoing transitions in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Haiti and Pakistan. Panelists included Ambassador John Herbst, Director, Center for Complex Operations at the National Defense University, Stephen Lennon, Chief of Field Programs Division, Office of Transition Initiatives at USAID, Doug Brooks, President, International Stability Operations Association (ISOA), Karl Wycoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and Brigadier General Ferdinand Irizarry, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

DI Development, a DynCorp International Business

DynCorp International has teamed with Worldwide Humanitarian Services (WWHS), and Casals & Associates to create DI Development. This dynamic organization:

• Provides effective responses to emergencies, conflict, post-conflict and transition programs

• Applies innovative and sustainable solutions for long-term development success

• Leverages wider DynCorp International capabilities to support international development programming

DI Development’s unique delivery model, combined with an extensive global infrastructure, provides access to the resources and means to deliver highly effective, customizable and agile solutions to emerging or long-term development needs rapidly and at scale.

DI Development has the capability to support USAID field missions and bureaus, other U.S. Government entities such as the Department of Defense and State Department, and the broader international community in assessing, planning and executing programs.