FBA and UN Research-Policy Dialogue on SSR in Fragile and Conflict-affected States

Security sector reform (SSR) is a key component of peace and state building in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. But SSR practice has often been based on assumptions as opposed to evidence on what works, what does not, and why. Bridging research, policy and practice, is essential to move towards improved reform processes.

Given the important role that SSR plays in sustaining peace and supporting sustainable development, efforts should be made to learn from experience. In order to promote evidence-based policy and practice, as well as supporting the growing body of scholarly work, FBA together with the United Nations organised a research-policy dialogue (RPD). The RPD gathered leading international experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss where SSR stands today and how to improve the connection between policy, practice, and research.

This report provides reflections on relevant insights from ongoing research which is of value for policy-makers and practitioners and on the relationship between research-policy-practice.