CIC works closely with the UN, international financial institutions, bilateral donors and regional organizations to improve international responses in post-conflict contexts. Its research project focuses on the political, economic, and security challenges of building effective states in the aftermath of conflict. In cooperation with the International Peace Institute, we track and assess the performance of the Peacebuilding Commission; identify continued gaps in multilateral performance; and propose options for improved response, in both policy and operational terms.

The project has recently launched the Review of the PBC and is presently conducting a study on gaps in early recovery assistance for the Government of the UK. Additionally to headquarters and donor capitals, the project also provides strategic planning support to field missions in countries recovering from conflict, such as the DR Congo and Timor-Leste.

Given the inherent fragility of post-conflict states, we work in close collaboration with the Reducing State Fragility project, on issues related to building state resilience. Seeking to highlight best practices in external assistance to fragile and post-conflict states, we focus on developing indicators and benchmarks for measuring progress in statebuilding and peacebuilding. We will also assess the role of emerging actors in fragile states as well as support policy development in critical areas of statebuilding such as public administration.

Lead Researchers: Shepard Forman, Barnett Rubin, Bruce Jones, Rahul Chandran
Project Staff: Jake Sherman, Gigja Sorensen

Funders: Government of Norway, Government of the United Kingdom, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ford Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The UN and the Prevention of Armed Conflict

Recovering from War: Gaps in Early Action
July 2008

Amid growing concern that the international system is ill-equiped to rapidly and effectively mobilize to help states and people recover from conflict, the UK Department for International Development commissioned CIC to identify and analyze  the  ‘gaps’ in early international action in countries emerging from conflict. Both the full report and an executive summary, including options for reforms, are now available online.

Taking Stock, Looking Forward: A Strategic Review of the Peacebuilding Commission
April 2008

This report, commissioned by the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations, assesses whether the Peacebuilding Commission is on the right track and makes recommendations to further consolidate its emerging role and enhance its impact.

Special Event: Taking Stock, Looking Forward
May 2008

The PBC report was recently presented at a special lunch event, featuring a panel discussion by Dr. Bruce Jones of CIC; Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations; and Terje Rød -Larsen, President of the International Peace Institute.