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CSRS PAST EVENTS
2011
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Religion & Security
in World Affairs (September 12 - 14, 2011)
About This Event:
Religion and security considerations intersect in multiple, complex ways across the globe and
thus are consequential for government policy, strategy, and engagement. Seminar participants explored
the multi-dimensional context of religion on the world stage, including its role in the phases
of conflict, terrorism, peace operations, and development. The course introduced tools for
analyzing religious factors, such as faith-inspired actors and institutions in stabilization
and reconstruction operations. An enhanced perspective on these mechanisms informed what has
largely been a neglected area in U.S. national security policy: how stakeholders can understand
and address urgent contemporary security challenges with religious implications. In sum, this
workshop was an opportunity to better understand religion as a set of factors that cannot
be ignored in both national and world security, and to overcome resistance to engaging
in this sensitive topic in national security and foreign policy conversations. The workshop was
co-sponsored by the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies and Georgetown
University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs with support from the
Henry R. Luce Initiative on Religion and World Affairs. |
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Defense Institution Building Conference (June 20 - 21, 2011).
About This Event:
This two day conference convened stakeholders to discuss approaches and share experiences on
the challenge that Secretary Gates' call — to focus on building defense institution capacity
within partner nations — poses. Policymakers, DIB-related security cooperation providers
and practitioners, policy analysts, and representatives of the Combatant Commands and Services
examined DIB challenges, identified strategies and approaches, and discussed how to further
develop thisevolving issue. This conference served as a launching event for a series
of smaller, focused workshops, which will refine approaches and establish best practices
for use in the field. The overall program will solicit participant views and suggestions
for future development in the conceptual, programming, and implementation arenas. |
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Working in the Same Space (March 14 - 17, 2011).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies and US
Department of State's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and
Stabilization partnered to host an educational program on civil-military
interaction for actors, including representatives from US and international
nongovernmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations,
government civilian agencies, and the armed forces, who work in insecure
environments around the globe. Working in the Same Space, held
March 14-17, 2011, in Monterey, California, convened 44 mid-level and
senior practitioners to explore the concept of humanitarian space and
how organizations with very different missions and operational methods
can engage effectively as they work side-by-side on stabilization and
reconstruction programs. Working in the Same Space was designed to
help participants increase their understanding of other actors, identify
potential opportunities for cooperation and collaboration, and develop
strategies to increase their own organizational effectiveness. |
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Building Capacities for Cross-Cultural Communication (February 13-17, 2011).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies partnered with
Dr. Tatsushi Arai of the SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont, to
develop and host Building Capacities for Cross-Cultural Communication,
which was held in Lansdowne, Virginia, from February 13-17, 2011.
The workshop convened 32 representatives from nongovernmental
organizations, intergovernmental organizations, government civilian
agencies, the armed forces, and academia for an in-depth and interactive
analysis of critical cultural concepts and current events. Participants
used plenary discussions, exercises, art, and two case studies to explore
the relationship between culture and conflict and develop innovative
approaches for strengthening cross-cultural communication and
addressing seemingly intractable conflicts. |
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Agriculture: Promoting Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Environments (January 31st - February 3rd, 2011).
About This Event:
From January 31st to February 3rd, 2011, the Center for Stabilization and
Reconstruction Studies held an interactive
workshop, Agriculture: Promoting Livelihoods
in Conflict-Affected Environments, in Monterey,
California, that convened 45 experienced
agricultural practitioners to discuss strategies for
rebuilding broken agriculture sectors in post-conflict
societies, sharing best practices and lessons learned.
The workshop, which was designed by Dr. John
Mellor, Dr. Sophal Ear, and Mrs. Graseilah Coolidge,
provided participants with the opportunity to learn
from practitioners who had been involved in agricultural
redevelopment initiatives in such countries as Afghanistan,
Sudan, Timor-Leste, India, and Ethiopia, among others. |
2010
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Exploring the DDR-SSR Nexus (December 6-9, 2010).
About This Event:
In post-conflict states, actors often implement disarmament,
demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform
(SSR) programs to strengthen security, assume civilian control of armed
forces, and begin reconstructing the state’s fragile security and justice
institutions and services. While these programs have historically been
implemented separately, actors are now seeing the wisdom and myriad
benefits of harmonizing these two efforts. In consultation with several
partners, the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies
developed and hosted an interactive workshop on this topic, Exploring
the DDR-SSR Nexus. The workshop, which was held December 6-9, 2010,
in Monterey, California, convened mid-level and senior practitioners who
work at both the strategic and operational level on DDR and SSR initiatives
globally. The workshop’s 43 participants hailed from 20 different
countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, the Côte d’Ivoire,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia,
Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda,
the United Kingdom, and the United States. This diverse group of actors
also included representatives from United Nations agencies, civil society
organizations, academia, and the armed forces who shared strategies and
insights for strengthening DDR-SSR linkages through expert presentations,
case studies, a role play, and plenary discussions. |
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Working in the Same Space (November 1-4, 2010).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies and US
Department of State's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and
Stabilization partnered to host an educational program on civil-military
interaction for actors, including representatives from US and international
nongovernmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations,
government civilian agencies, and the armed forces, who work in insecure
environments around the globe. Working in the Same Space, held
November 1-4, 2010, in Monterey, California, convened 41 mid-level and
senior practitioners to explore the concept of humanitarian space and
how organizations with very different missions and operational methods
can engage effectively as they work side-by-side on stabilization and
reconstruction programs. Working in the Same Space was designed to
help participants increase their understanding of other actors, identify
potential opportunities for cooperation and collaboration, and develop
strategies to increase their own organizational effectiveness. |
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Building Capacities for Cross-Cultural Communication (August 15-19, 2010).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies of the Naval Postgraduate
School, in partnership with the US Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator
for Reconstruction and Stabilization, delivered Building Capacities for Cross-
Cultural Communication, a skills-based course on cross-cultural communication
emphasizing peace and conflict issues August 15-19, 2010 in Lansdowne, Virginia.
Dr. Tatsushi Arai, a leader in the field of cross-cultural training, facilitated the workshop
that created an interactive forum for 37 participants spanning 19 different nationalities.
All participants brought diverse perspectives as they were carefully selected from
applicants representing a wide spectrum of vocations among nongovernmental
organizations, intergovernmental organizations, government civilian agencies, and the
armed forces. Utilizing case studies from Pakistan and Burundi as well as talented
guest facilitators Faiysal AliKhan and Azhar Hussain, the course explored real world
application of bridging the cross-cultural divide through greater self awareness, exploring
deep culture, building cultural fluency, and enhancing professional networks. |
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Approaching Societies in Conflict (May 2-5, 2010). About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies partnered with Dr. TatsushiArai,
a leading conflict transformation academic and peaceworker, to develop Approaching Societies
in Conflict, held in Monterey, California from May 2-5, 2010. This interactive workshop,
which convened 36 experienced stabilization and reconstruction practitioners, was designed
to provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the personal and organizational
challenges inherent in working in conflict and post-conflict environments, learn new
concepts and strategies for helping warring parties move beyond violence, and share
best practices and lessons learned from their experiences. Practitioners, who hailed
from 11 countries around the globe, have been involved in post-conflict transformation
initiatives in countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, Eritrea, Indonesia, Liberia,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, SriLanka, and Sudan, among others. |
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Agriculture: Promoting Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Environments (March 22-25, 2010).
About This Event:
On March 22-25, 2010, the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction
Studies held an interactive workshop, Agriculture: Promoting Livelihoods
in Conflict-Affected Environments, in Monterey, California, that convened
44 experienced agricultural practitioners to discuss strategies for rebuilding
degraded agriculture sectors in post-conflict societies, sharing best practices
and lessons learned. The workshop, which was designed by Dr. John
Mellor, Dr. Sophal Ear, and Mr. Jeff Lewis, provided participants with the
opportunity to learn from practitioners who had been involved in agricultural
redevelopment initiatives in such countries as Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iraq,
Nigeria, the Philippines, and Rwanda, among others. |
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An Expansive Approach to DDR (Feb 21-26, 2010).
About This Event:
Although practitioners have conducted disarmament, demobilization, and
reintegration (DDR) initiatives around the world for nearly three decades,
many programs have not achieved desired goals. Among the reasons why:
Actors’ narrow eligibility criteria disenfranchised large portions of postconflict
countries’ illicit armed forces, including such populations as women,
youth, children, and people with disabilities. The Center for Stabilization
and Reconstruction Studies recently conducted a workshop for experienced
DDR actors to discuss emerging trends and best practices, consider lessons
learned, and practice designing more inclusive approaches to meet the
needs of these previously marginalized populations. An Expansive Approach
to Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration, which was held on
February 21-26, 2010, convened 42 practitioners from 18 different countries
to share insights and strategies. |
2009
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Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (Session 1, Nov. 17-18; Session 2, Nov 19-20, 2009).
About This Event:
From November 17th to 22nd, 2009, the Center for Stabilization and
Reconstruction Studies (CSRS) held two interactive workshops to explore the
topic of humanitarian operations between the US Agency for International
Development (USAID) and armed forces during international disasters situations.
The workshops were facilitated by Mr. William Laspina and Mr. Thomas
Frey, both relief professionals with extensive multifaceted experience. |
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Working in the Same Space (October 26-29, 2009).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies, US Naval Postgraduate
School, and the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, US
Department of State presented a short course titled “Working in the Same Space” in
Monterey, California, October 26 – 29, 2009.
The course emphasized inter-agency, cross-community understanding and
communication skills that focus on ways in which government civilian agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, inter-governmental organizations and the armed forces
can work more effectively alongside each other in insecure environments. |
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An Expansive Approach to Disarmament, Demobilization
and Reintegration (June 21-26, 2009).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies joined with three other
organizations, The Institute for Inclusive Security, the International Organization
for Migration, and the United Nations Development Programme to design
and conduct An Expansive Approach to Disarmament, Demobilization, and
Reintegration on June 21-26, 2009. The workshop assembled 40 mid-level and
senior actors from 20 different countries to discuss emerging trends and best
practices of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration; consider lessons
learned from past operations; and begin constructing new approaches that would
address the needs of previously marginalized populations such as women, youth,
children, and people with disabilities.
Information about The Institute for Inclusive Security, the International
Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Development Programme is
provided on the inside back cover. |
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Getting Back to Work: Rebuilding Livelihoods in Post-Conflict Environments (April 26-29, 2009).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies held an
interactive workshop, Getting Back to Work: Rebuilding Livelihoods in
Post-Conflict Environments, April 26-29, 2009, in Monterey, California,
to explore the topic of creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods in
fragile states around the world. The workshop, which was designed
and facilitated by Dr. Nat J. Colletta and Dr. Sophal Ear, provided
stabilization and reconstruction actors with the opportunity to discuss
the challenges and successes of economic recovery initiatives in a wide
array of post-conflict environments, as well as learn new frameworks
and best practices. Participants included 40 US and international
representatives from civilian government agencies, non-governmental
organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the armed forces, and
educational institutions, who provided a wealth of insights into their
own experiences designing and executing economic recovery initiatives. |
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Security Sector Reform: The Art of Assessment
(March 23-26, 2009).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies convened
Security Sector Reform: The Art of Assessment from March 23-26,
2009, in Monterey, California, to explore ways of improving assessment
design and implementation and enhancing local ownership and the
sustainability of assessments and reform-driven programs. Fifty
mid- to senior-level stabilization and reconstruction practitioners
gathered to discuss best practices for developing security sector
reform frameworks and evaluate key lessons from past assessments.
Participants represented a diverse array of actors, including US
and international government civilian agencies, armed forces,
intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations,
education and research institutions, and consultancies, among others. |
2008
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On Thin Ice: Addressing the Scientific,
Economic, Environmental, Cultural, and Security Implications of Climate Change in the Arctic Region
(December 8-9, 2008).
About This Event:
On Thin Ice: Addressing the Scientific, Economic, Environmental, Cultural,
and Security Implications of Climate Change in the Arctic Region was held
December 8-9, 2008, in Monterey, CA. More than 150 participants from diverse
communities with Arctic interests discussed the challenges and opportunities
presented by sea ice melt and related factors. Participants represented
an array of stakeholders, including US and international academic and
environmental research institutes, indigenous nations, industry companies,
environmental advocacy groups, nongovernmental organizations, government
civilian agencies, and the armed forces, among others. These stakeholders
explored opportunities for cross-community cooperation and alliance building,
brainstormed strategies for improving environmental data and access, and
discussed areas of potential emerging conflicts and how best to mitigate them. |
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Creating Jobs and Rebuilding Livelihoods in Post-conflict Situations (October 26-29, 2008).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies held its first
economic recovery workshop, Creating Jobs and Rebuilding Livelihoods
in Post-Conflict Situations, from October 26-29, 2008, in Monterey,
California. The interactive workshop, which was designed and facilitated
by Dr. Nat J. Colletta and Dr. Sophal Ear, brought together 40 practitioners
from the different groups of actors charged with rebuilding fragile states.
Participants discussed the challenges and trade-offs of various economic
recovery priorities and strategies, explored best practices and lessons
learned from past initiatives, and crafted possible job creation solutions
for different countries in crisis. |
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Working in the Same Space (September 21-24, 2008).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies hosted an interactive skills building
workshop, Working in the Same Space, September 21-24, 2008, in Seaside, California. The workshop
convened 36 S&R actors to discuss their organizational perspectives and differences,
explore the issues of shared humanitarian space, enhance their negotiation and mediation skills,
and deepen their professional networks. Representatives from nongovernmental organizations,
intergovernmental organizations, government civilian agencies, and the armed forces attended the workshop. |
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Sustaining Healthcare Systems in Post-Conflict Environments (July 13-16,
2008).
About This Event:
Practitioners and scholars have long noted the tension between actors’
efforts to provide emergency healthcare relief during armed conflict and
their attempts to reconstruct sustainable public healthcare services in its
aftermath. To explore the interdependent issues involved with conflict,
emergency relief, and healthcare system development, CSRS convened
a workshop, Sustaining Healthcare in Post-Conflict Environments, from
July 13-16, 2008. Panelists and participants from non-governmental
organizations, intergovernmental organizations, civilian governmental
agencies, and the armed forces discussed the prospects and pitfalls they
and local governments face in attempting to sustain healthcare systems
and delivery in a rapidly changing, complex post-conflict environment.
This report represents the author’s interpretation of the workshop’s
primary findings. Participants did not formally endorse the findings or
recommendations identified in this report. |
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Tools for Cross-Cultural Understanding (June 24-27, 2008).
About This Event:
Tools for Cross-Cultural Understanding was held June 24-27, 2008,
in Monterey, CA. Participants, who hailed from 12 different nations,
included 40 representatives from nongovernmental organizations,
intergovernmental organizations, government civilian agencies, and the
armed forces. These practitioners explored cultural concepts, discussed
the impact of deep culture on conflict, and created strategies for
addressing the needs and motivations of multiple actors in conflict and
crisis. The event, which was facilitated by Dr. TatsushiAraiof the
SIT Graduate Institute, featured both personal and political case studies set
in China, Iraq, Japan, Nepal, and Tanzania. |
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Disarmament, Demobilization
and Reintegration (March 30-April 2, 2008).
About This Event:
The Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies hosted a short
course on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) from
March 30 — April 2, 2008. The event was co-sponsored by the International
Organization for Migration, Save the Children, and The Initiative for Inclusive
Security. Forty-five participants from nongovernmental organizations,
intergovernmental organizations, government civilian agencies, and the
armed forces met to review best practices and lessons identified from
past DDR programs. Particular emphasis was placed on areas in which past
programs have demonstrated the most shortcomings: the reintegration phase
and the inclusion of women, children, and youth in DDR. |
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United States Navy 2008 Stability
and Security Conference (January 30-31, 2008).
About This Event:
The 2008 US Navy Stability and Security
Conference was held January 30-31, 2008, in
Arlington, VA. More than 230 participants,
who represented multiple services from the
US and foreign armed forces, government
civilian agencies, foreign governments,
nongovernmental organizations, and
intergovernmental organizations discussed
past successes and emerging trends in
stability and security operations, explored
ways to enhance cooperation among key
actors, and strengthened professional
networks. The event was cosponsored by the
Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction
Studies and the Strategy and Policy
Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval
Operations for Information, Plans, and
Strategy (OPNAV N3/N5) of the US Navy. |
2007
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Cleaning House: Confronting
Illicit Power Structures in the Post-Conflict World (November 4-7, 2007).
About This Event:
Groups that rely on the illicit use of violence and/or illicit sources of wealth to pursue
their goals plague many countries. However, they tend to play a disproportionate role
in post-conflict settings where wartime networks or networks forged during the
transition from war to peace undermine the institution-building efforts necessary
for democratic stability and development. To improve actors’ understanding of this
problem and to begin devising remedies, the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction
Studies (CSRS) held a workshop entitled “Cleaning House: Confronting Illicit Power
Structures in Post-Conflict Settings” in Monterey, CA, from November 4-7, 2007.
More than 40 panelists and participants from nongovernmental organizations,
intergovernmental organizations, government civilian agencies, the armed
forces, thinktanks, and academic institutions met to review a proposed framework for
analyzing the propensities, capacities, and vulnerabilities of illicit power structures
and to assess ways in which the framework might guide practitioner responses to this
global challenge. The workshop, which built on a number of conferences on the illicit
power structure framework sponsored by the United States Agency for International
Development, is part of a CSRS series of events addressing the negative impact of
corruption and institution building in post-conflict settings.
This report represents the author’s interpretations of the workshop’s primary
findings. Participants did not formally endorse the list of findings or recommendations
identified in the report. |
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Making Sense
of It All: Cross-Cultural Understanding (September 9-12, 2007).
About This Event:
Making Sense of It All: Cross-Cultural Understanding was designed to help participants
explore culture at both a cognitive and experiential level. Through presentations,
simulations, and group discussions, participants explored culture as an individual and
collective experience, began developing cultural fluency, and investigated the role
between culture and conflict.
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Negotiation Skills
for Post-Conflict Actors (May 20-23, 2007).
About This Event:
Negotiation Skills for Post-Conflict Actors was held May 20-23, 2007, at the Marina
Dunes Resort in Marina, California. Representatives from non-governmental
organizations, intergovernmental organizations, government civilian agencies,
and the US and foreign armed forces gathered to discuss negotiation principles,
improve their cross-community and interorganizational communication skills, network
with practitioners from the field, and learn best practices from experts. The event was
hosted by the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies and was cosponsored
by the United States Institute of Peace, drawing from their successful curriculum
on negotiation issues. |
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2007 U.S. Navy SSTRO Conference
(April 24-25, 2007).
About This Event:
CSRS conducted the conference with OPNAV N5 at the Washington Navy Yard on April 24-25, 2007. CSRS has made
informal plans to conduct a similar conference during 2008. Approximately 75 participants attended,
largely from the Navy, but also from OSD, Joint Staff, Army and Marine Corps, and State Department.
Of the Naval Component Commands, both NAVEUR and NAVSOUTH participated. (NAVCENT and PACFLT were
unable to attend due to operational demands.)
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Healing the Wounds:
Rebuilding Healthcare Systems in Post-Conflict Environments (March 12-15, 2007).
About This Event:
Healing the Wounds: Rebuilding Health Care Systems in Post-Conflict Environments was
held March 12-15, 2007, at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey, California. Representatives
from both US and international government civilian agencies, nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs), intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and the armed forces gathered to discuss
healthcare needs in post-conflict environments, discuss successes and shortcomings of existing
models, and begin building best practices with industry peers. |
View more past events.
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