Research
The Conflict Research Unit (CRU) conducts research on the nexus between security and development with a special focus on integrated/ comprehensive approaches on conflict prevention, stabilisation and reconstruction in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Specialising in conducting applied, policy-oriented research and developing practical tools, the CRU aims to assist national and multilateral governmental and non-governmental organisations in improving their engagement in these complex situations.
Activities include conducting political-economy analyses (both country-specific and regional analyses); stability and governance assessments; SSR and DDR related assessments; and assessing and analysing the interventions of international actors in fragile and conflict-affected situations. The CRU has developed (analytical) instruments for conducting such analyses and assessments, and supports policymakers in developing new policy concepts and in promoting joined up approaches of developmental, foreign affairs, defence and other actors in dealing with the complexities of fragile and conflict-affected situations. Clients include the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Embassies, as well as the Netherlands Ministries of Defence and Economic Affairs, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the OECD-DAC, the European Commission, UN organisations, Ministries of Foreign Affairs/Development Cooperation of other countries (e.g. the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, France), and Dutch and International NGOs.
Research activities are structured along the lines of the three central components of an integrated approach towards fragile and conflict-affected situations, i.e. security and stability; governance, peacebuilding and statebuilding; and socio-economic development. The CRU aims to integrate all three of these central components into its research projects. Additional areas of research attention are gender and conflict; and (inter)national aid architecture issues (i.e. integrated (inter)national responses, and financing mechanisms).
In conducting its research, the CRU aims to reach the highest standards by building on internationally peer reviewed and acclaimed knowledge. The CRU also applies the principle of peer reviews for its research, and collaborates with - and often involves - a wide network of internationally respected experts (both practitioners and researchers) and research institutes.
Research Themes
Security and stability
Both in foreign policy practice and in academic debate on international affairs, security and stability are considered necessary conditions for sustainable development. CRU research in this area focuses on: Justice and Security Sector Reform (JSSR);Rule of Law; Demobilisation Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR);Armed Violence Reduction (AVR);Country-specific security and stability analyses and assessments. Read more »
Governance, peacebuilding and statebuilding
Our research into governance aims to unravel the processes that generate fragile and failing states across the world, and work out what may be needed to generate and support successful programmes of state-building accompanied by equitable economic development.Read more »
Socio-economic development
Socio-economic development, and more specifically the equal distribution of economic growth, is seen as an important factor in the process of creating stability in a post-conflict situation. CRU research in this field focuses on identifying the specific challenges of socio-economic development in fragile and conflict-affected societies, the socio-economic component of the reintegration phase of DDR processes, and on the development of policy instruments to support economic growth in post-conflict societies and to involve the private sector in this process.Read more »
Integrated (inter)national responses
In order to efficiently and effectively assist fragile and post-conflict societies, the international community has developed several mechanisms to manage its assistance. Many initiatives have been launched in order to create coordination and coherence, but in practice results are less than optimal. Yet, improvement of harmonization and alignment are crucial for more effective and efficient approaches of international involvement in fragile and post-conflict situations. Solving this problem will require a combination of political and technical approaches. CRU research in this field focuses on the question how international actors can come to a united yet multifaceted strategy towards fragile states and post-conflict situations, involving a multiplicity of actors and instruments in a so-called integrated or joined-up approach. Read more »
Country / regional analysis
CRU researchers closely follow developments in various fragile states and regions, and regularly conduct analyses on important political, security and socio-economic issues at play. Ultimately, their research aims to enhance the understanding of these conflict situations, identify policy challenges and offer suggestions for international engagement. . Read more »
Gender and conflict
There is a growing understanding of the link between gender-inequity and the perpetuation of (violent) conflict in fragile environments. The call to address this link through gender-responsive policies and programs on the ground, however, poses the international community for considerable challenges. CRU research aims to provide concrete input as to how to improve international endeavors geared towards increasing the gender-responsive nature of interventions in fragile environments. Read more »
Non State actors
In fragile and conflict affected contexts, in the absence of an effective state, non-state actors – such as NGOs and other civil society groups, but also traditional authorities, neighbourhood watch groups or customary courts – often play an important role in the delivery of service to citizens. Although in the long run capacity-building of the state is a goal of programmes in fragile contexts, in the short to intermediate term incorporating non-state actors into programming, while ensuring linkages with the formal system and programmes building the capacity of the state, may generate great benefits for improving people’s daily lives. Read more »