On December 3rd, 2019 the Stimson Center and Creative Associates International co-hosted an experts consultation contributing new thinking to the practice and implementation of armed conflict reduction and stabilization efforts positioned at the nexus of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) “type” initiatives. The consultation met under the assumption that DDR-type tools remain relevant, with prosecution, rehabilitation, and civil-military coordination increasingly salient as an emerging area of interest for the international community and the U.S. Government. This roundtable of experts — comprised of policymakers, international officials, multilaterals, scholars and civil society leaders — engaged in an intensive analysis of actual cases on the ground and formulated ideas to help rethink approaches to individual combatant and armed group reintegration in a new era of geopolitics.
The aim of this experts consultation was to convene stakeholders representing various interests to engage in a ‘deep dive’ on the exigency of contemporary armed conflict and engaging armed actors/groups.
The objectives of the consultation were:
- To enhance participant understanding of issues affecting armed actor/group engagement (e.g., DDR, CVE, SSR) and unpack current and emerging policies, approaches and practices;
- To increase understanding of stakeholder perceptions, understandings and mandates on DDR and related efforts where armed actors/groups are part of the conflict and security equation;
- To reach consensus on armed actor/group issues informing implementable ‘Action Points’ stakeholders can take forward that impact advocacy, policy and the operating environment.
During the consultation, Stimson Center Research Associate Cristina Petcu, presented her working paper on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programming with Colombia’s Youth. This paper shifts the focus away from the narrative portraying youth as a security concern and beneficiaries of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programs and instead recasts youth as partners and champions for advancing DDR.
Read the summary report of the experts consultation, published by Creative Associates International.
