HCSS Centre for Strategic Studies

Conflict Management

Interventions in Somalia, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrate that effectively contributing to international peace and security is an increasingly complex task. Peace, security and development are intimately linked as military interventions following armed conflict are not sufficient to win the peace. This places a premium on close coordination and cooperation among civilian and military actors in a post-conflict environment.

Lessons-learned from recent stabilisation and reconstruction operations have major implications for the development of doctrine, policy and operational concepts. One of the key challenges is to develop a comprehensive approach to external action, including counterinsurgency operations and stabilisation activities such as diplomacy and reconstruction. How can military activities be embedded in a broader post-conflict strategy the aim of which is predominantly political? What are the implications of recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq for civil-military cooperation and security sector reform? What determines the success of a comprehensive approach and how do we measure it?

The Conflict Management Programme conducts in-depth, authoritative research into the broader strategic issues concerning conflict and post-conflict stabilisation and reconstruction.

Programme focus:

• Multidisciplinary conflict analysis
• Development of new concepts and doctrine for stabilisation and reconstruction
• Identification and analysis of lessons learned during and after operations
• Simulation exercises to gain insight into possible solutions
• Contributing to training and education

The Conflict Management Programme is led by Christa Meindersma LL.M.

LL.M Christa Meindersma

Deputy Director HCSS, external relations and director Conflict Management.

Christa Meindersma LL.M is an international lawyer with broad experience in international affairs and diplomacy. Previously she worked as senior political adviser at the United Nations and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Christa Meindersma has been involved in peace negotiations and policy advise in East Timor, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kosovo, Darfur, Nepal and New York. Christa is a member of the Committee on Peace and Security of the Advisory Council on International Affairs.

E-mail
Christa Meindersma

See also:
Personal website
Advisory Council on International Affairs
Speakers Academy

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MA Evelien Weller

Evelien Weller MA is a policy analyst for the Conflict Management programme at HCSS. Her work focuses on aspects concerning joint analysis, planning and implementation of interventions (comprehensive approach) and state building in post conflict areas and fragile states. Evelien joined HCSS in September 2008. She holds a MA in International Relations from the University of Amsterdam as well as a MA in International Peace and Security, which she received from King’s College London. She has worked as a policy advisor for IKV Pax Christi, International Alert en SNV.

E-mail
Evelien Weller

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