International Conflict Management

Focusing on policy issues relevant to regions of conflict from an interdisciplinary and application-oriented perspective, the research area international conflict management reaffirms the Brandt School's commitment to a practice oriented education in the field of global public policy.

Having evolved with the welfare states in the United States and Europe public policy research often assumes stable political conditions and functioning institutional structures. As this precondition is questionable in states experiencing intensive conflict, traditional approaches to public policy seem ill-fitted for conflict contexts. Indeed, many countries and regions experiencing internal conflict are characterized by a contested state monopoly of force and by a limited ability to deliver central public services. In many cases, security can no longer be guaranteed, basic public services like education and health are deficient, and the legal system is inadequately functioning. In these situations, oftentimes “nongovernmental” actors like religious leaders, warlords, tribal-chiefs, civil society organizations or external actors like the international community and regional powers assume these tasks and responsibilities. Where the state is weak, domestic conflicts between various stakeholders may cause states to collapse, destabilize whole regions and cause widespread human suffering.

Within the research field of conflict management the Brandt School seeks to develop policies which promote peace and social reconstruction, and contributes to capacity building in post-war societies. On the Master’s level these efforts are further sustained by our Good Governance in Afghanistan Program and the MPP specialization in conflict management.

Research activities in the research area of conflict management are supported by a structured PhD program and a fellowship program funded by the German Foreign Office and carried out in close cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Each year the DAAD offers scholarships for highly-qualified Master students, doctoral students and researchers with an interest in conflict management in research and practice.

All CSMP fellowships and scholarships are defined and awarded on a yearly basis. The current offer for CSMP fellowships have been announced by the DAAD now. Applications need to be sent directly to the Brandt School, after the selection committee will have reviewed the application, candidates are asked to forward a second application package to the DAAD who will decide on the scholarship.

(last updated on May 16, 2012)