Civilians in Conflict A Project of the Future of Peace Operations Program
“The Civilians in Conflict project is focused on understanding why institutions fail to protect and identifying how they can succeed. Our work ensures that individual states, international organizations, and actors are able to effectively prevent and respond to violence against civilians.” —Alison Giffen, Deputy Director of the Future of Peace Operations Program
Civilians in Conflict (CIC) Either caught in the crossfire or directly targeted by unscrupulous actors, each year millions of civilians suffer from physical violence or are denied access to essential services in conflict-affected societies. Protecting civilians is not just a moral or legal imperative; it is a necessary component of, and pragmatic step toward, sustainable peace. The CIC project envisions a world in which the international community, nation-states, and local communities effectively eliminate violence against civilians in conflict-affected societies. To achieve this goal, the project leverages expertise, research, and unique relationships to influence institutional reforms at the national, regional (e.g. African Union and NATO), and international levels. In so doing, we aim to equip institutions with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively manage crises and prevent and respond to atrocities against civilians. Stimson has a long track record of initiatives related to the protection of civilians and prevention of and response to mass atrocities. Examples of these efforts include contributions to the Albright and Cohen-led Genocide Prevention Task Force and an independent study commissioned by the United Nations, entitled Protecting Civilians in the Context of UN Peacekeeping Operations (2009).
Civilians are under threat in many conflict-affected environments. Shown here are a few of the challenges that conflict presents in these countries, and where violence requires a tailored, international approach to protect civilians:
Haiti Lawlessness/ Criminal Gang Activity/ International Intervention
Libya State Violence/International Intervention
Sudan and South Sudan State Violence/ International Intervention
Afghanistan Terrorism/ International Intervention/ Collateral Damage
Somalia Democratic Republic of the Congo Lawlessness/State Violence/Predation/International Intervention
Terrorism/ International Intervention/ Collateral Damage
The CIC project works to expand and improve international efforts to develop effective prevention and response mechanisms in three ways: → Advance concepts, laws, and practices that contribute to the elimination of violence against civilians; focusing on the international community, nation-states, and local communities. → Identify when, if, and how the international community prevents and responds to crises; recommending appropriate and timely mechanisms of international intervention where civilians suffer from physical violence or are denied access to essential services. → Improve international prevention and response mechanisms; enhancing the effectiveness of consent-based and non-consensual international interventions (e.g. political mediation, economic incentives, and peacekeeping operations). CIC supports these objectives through influential, independent research. This includes traveling to conflict-affected areas to conduct primary research, as well as convening policymakers and practitioners, including military and civilian leaders, academics, NGOs, and communities under threat, to identify challenges and solutions.
Kyrgyzstan Inter-Ethnic Violence/ State Violence
Burma/ Myanmar State Violence/ Ethnic Marginalization
Praise for the CIC Project
“Stimson develops its studies in close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, many of whom are prac“About 10 years ago, I began my focus on “I’ve worked with Stimson’s Civilians titioners like me. The exchanges with in Conflict team for years on the issue conflict prevention and protection of atthe researchers of Stimson have always of civilian protection, from Somalia risk civilian populations. I quickly turned been very useful and inspiring. I appreto Afghanistan. They’re on my speed to the Stimson experts and publications ciate their innovative and progressive to help me better understand the comdial list. I call when I want to discuss thinking and their ability to frame ideas plex challenges faced by peacekeeppragmatic solutions to prevent civiland to articulate them effectively. Their ian harm in a war zone, when I want ers, NGOs, and US and international studies provide a clear vision and useto brainstorm the dynamics of the governments in forging short-term and ful recommendations that are relevant international community in respondlong-term responses and solutions. for peacekeepers who are grappling Stimson’s exacting research and practiing to violence, or, most often, when I with the various challenges in protecting cal recommendations have earned the need a thoughtful, informed analysis of civilians in conflict and post-conflict Center a ‘place at the table’ with national a conflict and its actors that I can trust.” environments.” and international leaders in pursuit of —Sarah Holewinski, Executive —Major General (Ret) Patrick common goals and priorities.” Director of the Campaign for Innocent Cammaert, Former MONUC Deputy —Clifford Bernath, Former Senior Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) Force Commander and Eastern Division Advisor for Rule of Law and Commander; Former Military Advisor International Humanitarian Policy, in the United Nations Department of Office of the Secretary of Defense Peacekeeping Operations
Alison Giffen Alison Giffen is a senior associate and deputy director of the Future of Peace Operations program. She leads the Civilians in Conflict (CIC) project, which aims to increase global preparedness to prevent and respond to violence against civilians in war-torn societies, including in its most extreme manifestation: mass atrocity and genocide. Giffen joined Stimson in 2009 with more than a dozen years experience monitoring and advocating on human rights and humanitarian crises. She previously served as an advocacy and strategy coordinator for OXFAM in Sudan, where she led the design and implementation of the organization’s global strategy to secure civilians’ rights to protection and assistance. As a policy analyst for the Open Society Institute, Giffen promoted multilateral US foreign engagement and US support of United Nations reform initiatives. She was project director of a groundbreaking study on ex-combatants in Sierra Leone and was the founding director of the US Office on Colombia, an international coalition of groups promoting peace and human rights in Colombia. The CIC project includes dedicated research associates, visiting analysts, and projectmanagement specialists. → For more information, please contact Alison Giffen at 202.478.3424 or agiffen@stimson.org, or visit www.stimson.org/programs/future-ofpeace-operations.
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