What is the role and function of the South African intelligence community in the security apparatus of the state? What is the relationship between intelligence and democracy? This collection of papers from the Institute for Security Studies evaluates how the South African intelligence community is grappling with the democratic demands of openness and accountability while ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Responding to people’s security needs: Improving the impact of EU programming
How can European Union (EU) and Member State policymakers improve the impact of their security-related programming? What are the challenges that prevent policy from being implemented and what are the strategies that might ensure success? This paper from the Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP) focuses on security sector reform (SSR) programmes. It shows that security-building ...» more
Private Military and Security Companies: A Framework for Regulation
How can Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) be regulated? What is the best way to enforce international standards? This policy report from the International Peace Institute argues that domestic regulation is not enough, because the industry is increasingly global. What is needed is a roadmap toward effective international regulation. There are now adequate standards ...» more
Arms control in a rough neighbourhood: The case of the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa
What progress have the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa made in implementing the Nairobi Protocol on small arms and light weapons (SALW)? What challenges do states in the region face in controlling the flow of SALW? This paper from the Institute for Security Studies examines the control of SALW in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa. It finds that states in ...» more
Security Sector Evolution: Understanding and Influencing How Security Institutions Change
What implications do different theoretical approaches to institutional change have for security sector reform (SSR)? How can evolutionary approaches be applied to SSR in practice? This paper from the Libra Advisory Group examines theoretical approaches to institutional change and their implications for SSR. It argues that an evolutionary approach to SSR can make the reform ...» more
Building Peaceful States and Societies
How can the UK help to build peaceful states and societies as a foundation for sustainable development? What can the government do to work more effectively across government departments and ensure access to security and justice? This chapter from the Department for International Development White Paper Building Our Common Future sets out the UK government’s approach to building ...» more
Soldiers Who Rape, Commanders Who Condone: Sexual Violence and Military Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo
What is the extent and impact of the sexual violence perpetrated by government troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? Why have efforts to stop sexual violence committed by soldiers failed so far? This report from Human Rights Watch looks at sexual violence committed by the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC). It finds that sexual violence by ...» more
Transitional Justice and Security System Reform
What is the relationship between security system reform (SSR) and transitional justice? How can the European Union (EU) strengthen its approach to SSR and implementation of SSR programmes in countries with a legacy of massive human rights abuse? This paper from the International Center for Transitional Justice discusses the relationships between transitional justice and SSR. It ...» more
Seen, but Not Heard: Placing Children and Youth on the Security Governance Agenda
Why does children’s security matter? How can civil society, security providers, democratic institutions and the international community effectively engage children and youth on security issues? This publication from the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces examines the links between children, youth and security. It argues that the concerns of children and ...» more
Security Sector Reform in Post-conflict Peacebuilding
Post-conflict environments can attract huge numbers of external actors that create management and coordination problems and often apply short-term approaches that can lead to resumption of conflict. This paper, published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, provides an overview of security sector reform (SSR) in post-conflict environments. SSR ...» more
Security System Transformation in Sierra Leone, 1997-2007
What lessons does the experience of transforming the security system in Sierra Leone have for security sector reform (SSR)? This report from the Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform and International Alert documents Sierra Leone’s security system transformation from 1997 to 2007. It chronicles the UK Government’s intervention, including its transition from ...» more
Security Sector Reform and Intergovernmental Organisations
In virtually all security sector reform (SSR) programming and delivery, intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) have either led international community efforts or supported the lead provided by other actors. This background paper, published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, summarises IGO functions, norms and obstacles to their effectiveness. ...» more
Security Sector Governance and Reform
Security sector reform (SSR) is most often used as a platform for reform in fragile and post-conflict states and in countries transitioning from communism or authoritarian rule. This paper, published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, reviews security sector and governance definitions, issues, approaches and actors. There is an emerging consensus ...» more
Security Sector Reform Monitor: Haiti
A consensus among domestic security sector reform (SSR) actors in Haiti that the reform agenda is imposed from outside has led to limited local ownership of the process. This paper, published by the Centre for International Governance Innovation, reviews the current status of reform of Haiti’s judiciary, police and penal systems. Until the suspicion of reform measures imposed ...» more
Police & Law Enforcement Reform in Pakistan: Crucial for Counterinsurgency and Counterterrorism Success
What hinders effective policing and the pursuit of terrorist and militant organisations in Pakistan? What lessons can be learned from successful Pakistani police operations? This policy paper from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding looks at the need for police reform in Pakistan. It calls for greater international support for police reform in order to enhance ...» more
Security Sector Reform: USAID, DOD, DOS Policy Statement
How should United States Government (USG) departments and agencies implement security sector reform (SSR) programmes? What principles should guide the design and implementation of US SSR programmes? This paper from the USG provides Department of State, Department of Defense (DOD) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) practitioners with guidelines for ...» more
Engendering Security Sector Reform: A Workshop Report
What progress has been made in integrating gender into security sector reform (SSR)? What issues concerning gender and SSR require further attention? This report documents a workshop held at the Free University of Berlin in November 2008 on ‘Engendering Security Sector Reform’. It finds that the debate on gender and SSR is still only incipient and that many questions remain ...» more
Difficult Peace, Limited Justice: Ten Years of Peacemaking in the DRC
How have peace negotiations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) addressed issues of accountability? What impact have justice initiatives had following the conclusion of each agreement? This report from the International Center for Transitional Justice examines peace negotiations in the DRC since 1999, focusing on justice and accountability. It argues that while ...» more
Security for Whom? SSR and Public Security in Nepal
What are the priorities in terms of security in Nepal? What contribution can the European Union (EU) make towards building and maintaining peace in the country? This briefing from International Alert examines security sector reform (SSR) and public security in Nepal. It argues that there is an urgent need to address security provision and the security sector as part of Nepal’s ...» more
Strengthening Security Sector Governance in West Africa
What progress have Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia made in establishing effective democratic governance of their security sectors? How can international donors, civil society actors and parliamentarians strengthen legislative oversight of the security sector in West Africa? Based on case studies of Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia this report from the Center on International ...» more
