ODI is Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.
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Conflict and security
Two children stand together as heavy rain falls at a temporary shelter in Kenya. (Source: REUTERS/Georgina Cranston, Reuters - http://members.alertnet.org/thenews/photoalbum/1213720015.htm)

The last decade has seen an increasing concern with the causes and drivers of violent conflict. Whilst these vary and change over both time and space, there has been increasing recognition that conflict and security are intrinsically linked to development processes. This has led to the development of new approaches to stabilising violent contexts, building peace and protecting civilians.

Donor governments, UN agencies and NGOs are seeking to align traditionally distinct policy spheres to more effectively support transitions from war to peace. Yet, in practice, there is a recognition that engagement in conflict-affected states is not working as well as it should and more needs to be done. There are also ongoing debates on the relationship between security and development, and the ability and role of external actors in stabilising these contexts and supporting post-conflict transitions. 

ODI develops research and policy advice across a number of issues related to conflict and security:

  • In post-conflict contexts, our work identifies appropriate policy and operational strategies related to crisis response and supporting war to peace transitions.
  • We investigate the growing coherence between aid and politics and the effects on meeting humanitarian imperatives and supporting longer term peace-building.
  • Our work also focuses on the protection of civilians on conflict contexts, assessing new frameworks and approaches by different actors. 
  • Finally, through political economy and livelihood approaches, we consider the relationship between natural resources and conflict.