The Conflict Research Unit (CRU)
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.
The CRU was founded in 1996 as a long-term research project for the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on the causes and consequences of violent conflict in developing countries and countries in transition. Since then, the unit has grown to become an internationally renowned research group, which currently consists of ten in-house researchers.
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.
A central component of the CRU's work consist of tailor-made research for the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through the so-called Stability, Development and Rule of Law Programme, the CRU provides research and advisory services to the Ministry, coordinated by the Stabilisation and Humanitarian Aid Department.