Humanitarianism & War Project

|||| Research Institutions and Organizations

The Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict was created by Carnegie Corporation in 1994 to address the looming threats to world peace posed by intergroup violence and to advance new ideas for the prevention and resolution of deadly conflict. Using the re-sults of innovative research, the commission's sixteen eminent international leaders and scholars aim to provide policymakers with practical means for preventing mass violence. The web site featurs the commission's publications (reports, background papers, and a comprehensive final report that is issued in the fall).

The Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga. is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in 1982. The Center is dedicated to fighting disease, hunger, poverty, conflict, and oppression through collaborative initiatives in the areas of democratization and development, global health, and urban revitalization. At present, the Center operates 13 core programs, which have touched the lives of people in 65 countries, including the United States. The web site feautures information on the center, its programs, news, reports & speeches, an internal experts guid and more.

The Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit organization and was founded in 1992. It regards as its main task to provide the framework for pluralistic discussion, independent research and publishing activity concerning the problems of democratic transition, peace and sustainable economic development. Primarily focusing on the social, political and economic problems in the Republic of Georgia, it sees the possibility of their understanding and solution solely in the context of the Caucasus region at large and extends the scope of its interest and activity respectively. Research projects include: ethnic, religious and interstate relations in georgia and the caucasus region in the course of post-communist transition; factors of establishing social consensus and dissemination of liberal values in the georgian society; perspectives of sustainable economical development in georgia and the caucasus in the context of democratic transition. The web site features information on the institute, its research and publications and more.

The Center for Peace and Reconcilation of the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, seeks to promote pluralist participation in search of strategies that ensure lasting peace and security in Central America. The Center works along three fronts: demilitarization, conflict prevention, and democratization. Its demilitarization program seeks to consolidate civilian authority over the military. Its conflict prevention program is working to encourage a region-wide turn to civilian forums and institutions -as opposed to military force- for political and social reconciliation. Its new democratization program aims to work within Central American societies to build a democratic culture and to solidify fledgling democratic institutions. Although the Center's scope of action was originally intended for Central America, its activities are now extending outside the region. The web site features more information on the programs/research of the center.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a public policy research institution dedicated to policy analysis and impact. CSIS is the only institution of its kind that maintains resident experts on all the world's major geographical regions. It also covers key functional areas, such as international finance, the emerging markets, U.S. domestic and economic policy related to the Strengthening of America, and U.S. foreign policy and national security issues. Its goal is to inform and shape selected policy decisions in government and the private sector to meet the increasingly complex and difficult challenges that leaders will confront in the next century. The web site features information about CSIS, news and events, publications, research and more.

The Center for International Security and Arms Control, part of Stanford University's Institute for International Studies, is a multidisciplinary community dedicated to research and training in issues of international security. The Center brings together scholars, policymakers, area specialists, business people, and other experts to focus on a wide range of security questions of current importance. Research projects fall within four areas: weapons of mass destruction; scientific aspects of international security; great power relations; and conflict and conflict resolution within and between states. The web site features information on CISAC, its people, research and publications and more

The Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) -- founded in 1989 -- is the only organization in the world dedicated exclusively to graduate education and research in the field of nonproliferation. The unifying principle underlying the CNS approach to proliferation prevention is the functional integration of: systematic open-source data collection and dissemination; policy-oriented research and analysis; and graduate training and nonproliferation community-building. Its mission is to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction by training the next generation of nonproliferation specialists and disseminating timely information and analysis. The web site featurs information on research programs, data base and publications.

The Christian Michelsen Institute is based in Bergen, Norway and is one of the oldest independent institutions in Northern Europe for social science research and advisory work on development and human rights issues in developing countries.

The Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), part of the Royal Military Academy (RMA), was established in 1992 as the Soviet Studies Research Centre to research and analyse Soviet military philosophy and practice from open sources and to inform military and civilian audiences. Its research therefore deal primarily with audience. Its researches therefore deal primarily with military, political, social, and international issues in the former USSR and Central and East European countries. In 1993 it changed its name to Conflict Studies Research Centre, to reflect a wider remit, while its areas of interest remained largely the same. CSRC attempts, using original sources wherever possible, to analyse the long term factors of Instability in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. The web site features the works of the CSRC, including a chronology of the chechen conflict.

The Cornwallis Group first met in March of 1996, and met for the second time in April of 1997. The purposes of this group are many, and the definitive statement of goals is still being developed. In short, a group of Operational Research Analysts are gathering and discussing the use of their tools for the furtherance of our collective understanding of Conflict and it's resolution. Although the group began with a small number of military analysts, it is now returning to the roots of Operational Research and bringing in all relevant disciplines and users. Disciplines have been the standard Mathematics, Physics, ORSA, and Systems Engineering; but now also include Military Theoreticians, Peace Studies Theoreticians, Non-Governmental relief and development experts, Anthropologists, Historians and hopefully in the future Philosophers and Journalist among others.

Global Risk Assessments, Inc. (GRA) are an international business information and intelligence service corporation providing research, consulting, publishing, training in the following areas: International Business Environment Assessment, Country, Investment and Trade Risk Analysis, Political Risk Assessment & Management. Whether you are a practitioner, academic, corporation or organization involved or interersted in this field you will find a wealth of information available to you. GRA utilizes a variety of Internet resources in conducting its research and now shares these resources via GRA Research Hotlinks that are worth a visit; they provide a listing for sources on country information.

The Humanitarian Demining Information Center at James Madison University offers an extensive array of useful links organized by country and category, as well information about their own program.

The Institute of World Affairs (IWA) was founded in 1924 as a non-profit, non-partisan, tax-exempt organization devoted to international understanding and the peaceful resolution of conflict. In support of its mission, the Institute provides training programs designed to enhance professional skills in conflict resolution and infrastructure development. The Institute conducts independent evaluations and designs systems to help improve the management of international conflict. Additionally, the Institute offers education and outreach programs on current issues in international affairs. The web site features programs, publications, the International Conflict Initiatives Clearing House.

The Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) at the George Mason offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Both degree programs are among the first in this field and are part of the mission of the Institute: to advance the understanding and resolution of significant and persistent human conflicts among individuals, small groups, communities, ethnic groups, and nations. Major research interests include the analysis of deep-rooted conflicts and their resolution; the exploration of conditions attracting parties to the negotiation table; the role of third parties in dispute resolution; and the testing of a variety of conflict intervention methods in community, national, and international settings. The web site features information, academic programs, affiliations, and more.

International Institute for Strategic Studies, founded in 1958, is an independent centre for research, information and debate on theproblems of conflict. Its work is grounded in an appreciation of the various political,economic and social problems that can lead to instability, as well as the factorst hat can lead to international cooperation. The Institute's prime purpose is to provide authoritative facts and informed analysis of strategic issues. It stresses rigorous research with a forward-looking policy orientation and places particular emphasis on bringing new perspectives to the strategic debate. The web site features publications, research, and information.

The International Peace Academy (IPA) is an independent, non-partisan, international organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful settlement of armed conflicts between and within states. It focuses its activities primarily in the following areas: running a program of seminars on peacekeeping and conflict resolution for military, diplomatic, political, and humanitarian personnel; building a program of policy research on peacemaking and peacekeeping; establishing programs to support the development of regional efforts for peacemaking and peacekeeping; directly facilitating efforts to settle international and internal conflicts; organizing symposia for policy-makers to facilitate strategic thinking and policy development; implementing an outreach program to build public awareness of trends and issues in these fields. The web site features information on the IPA's research on peacebuilding; conflict management in Africa; training in peacekeeping and peacemaking; facilitating conflict resolution; outreach activities and more.

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, established in 1986 and named after its generous benefactress, Joan B. Kroc, is housed with the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies in the Hesburgh Center for International Studies at the Universityt of Notre Dame. The programs conduct study of the causes of war and intergroup violence, the building blocks of a peaceful and just world order, the promotion of human rights and economic well-being for all, and the promotion of the global ecosystem. The objectives of the Institute has been not only to educate a growing number of U.S. and international experts to prevent violence and to promote peace but also to operate as a multifaceted training, research, and policy institute in which each activity supports the other.

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Clingendael promotes the understanding of international affairs. Special attention is devoted to NATO, the European Community, the United Nations and other international organizations. Clingendael seeks to achieve its objective by means of research, the publication of studies, the organization of courses and training programmes, and the provision of information. It acts in an advisory capacity to the government, parliament and social organizations, organizes conferences and meetings, maintains a library and documentation centre, and publishes a monthly journal.

Overseas Development Council is a private, non-profit international policy research institute based in Washington, D.C. that seeks to inform and improve the multilateral approaches and institutions--both global and regional--that will play increasingly important roles in the promotion of development and the management of related problems.

The Overseas Development Institute is an independent non-govermental centre for the study of development and humanitarian issues and a forum for discussion of the problems facing developing countries. The Institute is engaged in a wide range of policy-related research based around the following groups: Natural Resources, International Economic Development, and Human Security and Development.

The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre's mission is to support and enhance the Canadian contribution to international peace, security, and stability. The Centre conducts research and provides advanced training and educational programmes. The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre is an independent organisation established by the Government of Canada in 1994, and is a division of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. The Centre is funded, in part, by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and by the Department of National Defence. The PPC accomplishes its mandate by providing research, education and training in all aspects of peacekeeping.

The Program on Peacekeeping Policy was established at George Mason University to understand the use of military, humanitarian, and political forces in the conduct of multinational peace operations. This program has consisted of a series of round table symposia among other things. This site will document those round tables and act as a central point for peace operations documents and reasearch reports. In addition, The Program on Peacekeeping Policy (POPP) maintains close ties with other institutions with similar agendas.

The Program on Nonviolent Sanctions and Cultural Survival is a joint-research program within Harvard University's Center for International Affairs. The research spans the problems of dictatorship, war, terrorism, genocide, and oppression in the complex context of cultures and events that form the backdrop of many ongoing conflicts. The web site shows existing research, publications and more.

The Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security is an interdisciplinary research, teaching, and training center at UIUC. Founded in 1978, it is devoted to advancing and disseminating knowledge about the problems of war and peace in our time, including nuclear war, ethnic conflict, genocide, and strategies for conflict resolution and peacemaking. Check the ACDIS Weekly Calendar on line for information on ACDIS and ACDIS related events, upcoming conferences, funding sources, and other items of interest to faculty and students at UIUC. Updated weekly during the academic year. The web site features, a list of ACDIS related courses being taught during fall 1997; _ACDIS Program Information; Research Activities; Faculty/Staff Directory and Research Interests; Courses; Student Support; _ACDIS Publications; Swords and Ploughshares; ACDIS Occasional Papers; ACDIS Research Reports and more.

The Richardson Institute is a research centre in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University. The peace research institute was established in 1959, the first in Britain and one of the first in the world. Working within the framework of generic research about peace and conflict, they focus on two main themes for organizing teaching and research: 1) peaceful change-understanding the roots of violence and how they can be transformed; and 2) conflict resolution-analysing contemporary conflicts and exploring constructive responses. Current research: turning points and sticking points in peace processes; conflict prevention in Europe; the psychology of cooperation; new developments in conflict resolution theory; the drama theory of conflict; the role of the churches in the Northern Ireland conflict; the nature and function of a peace profession; indigenous conflict resolution practices and land and water conflicts. The web site features information, education, current reserach and more.

The Stimson Center, founded in 1989, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to public policy research. The center concentrates on particularly difficult national and international security issues where policy, technology, and politics. Current projects includ: eliminating weapons of mass destructionchemical and biological weapons; nonproliferation project committee on nuclear policy; the nuclear roundtable; confidence-building measures in regions of tension; the foreign policy project; the advocacy of US; interests abroad. The web site features information, a new resource index; publications; project archives and more.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, located in Sweden, offers a unique platform for researchers from different countries to work in close cooperation on projects designed and approved by SIPRI. The Institute hosts guest researchers, who spend some time working on issues related to the SIPRI research programme. Although SIPRI is not a teaching institute, it does receive young interns who wish to learn more about the Institute's research activities. Contacts are maintained with other research centres and individual researchers throughout the world. Research areas include Armstransfers; arms production; military expenditure; military technology; chemical and biological weapons; european security; and other projects. SIPRI published a Yearbook on these issues. The web site features information, publications, documentations and links.

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan federal institution created and funded by Congress to strengthen the nation's capacity to promote the peaceful resolution of international conflict. Established in 1984, the Institute meets its congressional mandate through an array of programs, including grants, fellowships, conferences and workshops, library services, publications, and other educational activities. The Institute's Board of Directors is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. The mission of the United States Institute of Peace is to strengthen the nation's capabilities to promote the peaceful resolution of international conflicts. Among the Objectives of the Institute are to raise the level of student and public awareness about international conflicts and peacemaking efforts through grants, scholarships, publications, electronic outreach, and conferences; to train international affairs professionals in conflict management and resolution techniques, mediation, and negotiating skills; and to strengthen curricula and instruction, from high school through graduate education, about the changing character of international conflict and non-violent approaches to managing international disputes. The web site features information on USIP, publications, research areas, education/traning, grants/fellowships, library and links and more.

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