BACKGROUND

Security sector reform, a conceptual framework of principles and best practices for the reconstruction of the security architecture of the state, has come to be accepted as a central facet of stabilization and state-building processes in fragile, collapsed and post-conflict states. However, the concept is still immature and has a mixed success rate. The purpose of CIGI’s Security Sector Governance Project is to deconstruct the SSR model, analyze its practical application in different contexts and offer advice on how to increase its effectiveness. Particular attention will be paid to the governance dimension of SSR, which includes developing parliamentary oversight capacity of the security institutions and the restructuring of line security ministries.

ACTIVITIES

Since April 2010, the project’s major initiative has been the Security Sector Reform Resource Centre, a companion website to CIGIonline, is designed to serve as a hub for SSR practitioners, policy makers and experts across the world, and a platform to promote CIGI’s security sector governance research. Another major research project was the Security Sector Reform Monitor, a quarterly publication that tracked developments in the SSR processes of five post-conflict countries — Afghanistan, Burundi, Haiti, Timor-Leste and Southern Sudan — through peer-reviewed, field-based analysis. The project, partially funded by the Swiss-based International Security Sector Advisory Team, published its final round of reports in late 2010.

In the summer of 2011, CIGI will publish a synthesis report, bringing together lessons learned from the 20 reports. In the spring of 2011, CIGI launched the SSR Issue Papers series, which feature concise policy analysis and recommendations from global SSR practitioners and analysts.