War Stories: 'Listen to the People'

10/25/2012 (Updated 11:03:15 PM)

The rebuilding of war-torn countries needs to be driven by the needs and wishes of the local communities in those countries...
 
That's the lesson Chenango Bridge resident Bruce Parmelee spread at a luncheon in Johnson City today. Parmelee has led development programs in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and, most recently, Iraq.

He says there is no one-size-fits-all approach to rebuilding a country.
 
"In the time I've spent working in foreign environments the most important thing to do is to listen to the local community, to listen to informal leaders, and formal leaders," said Parmelee.
 
Parmelee is retired from Cooperative Housing foundation International, and returned home to Chenango Bridge in June after an 8-month tour in Ramadi, Iraq.