'...linking theory and practice for enablement and development.'

GThank you for visiting the website of the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU), an international centre of excellence for the study of war-torn societies and their recovery. Despite the proliferation of research addressing conflict, governance, and development, the PRDU, founded in 1992, is among the first and most successful in linking theory and practice through its postgraduate programmes, research, trainings, publications, and engagement with key stakeholders in the international community.

The PRDU’s recent research, which includes the British government’s first Strategic Conflict Assessment of Afghanistan and an in-depth study of reconsturction in Southern Lebanon as well as countless books, edited volumes, and articles, builds upon staff members’ regular field work in conflict-affected environments and strong links to policymakers and practitioners. In 2009 alone, PRDU staff members have launched research initiatives related to governance, state building, community-driven development, security sector reform, human security, economic growth, aid financing, conflict management, and stabilisation in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Nepal, the Philippines, and several other contexts in addition to broad-based theoretical work.

At the core of the PRDU’s work remains its flagship MA and PhD courses in Post-war Recovery Studies. These remain the only degree programmes in the world which focus specifically and wholly on the challenges of post-conflict environments. These courses are joined by training and professional development activities. Since 2006, the PRDU has hosted the 12-week, annual Chevening Senior Fellowship Programme on Conflict Resolution, and, as of 2010, it will be home to a second Chevening course on ‘Reforming the Security and Justice Sectors in Post-Conflict Countries’. Furthermore, through a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme in Lebanon, the PRDU has recently launched an intensive training programme on conflict resolution and peace building for government officials, which builds upon similar activities which the PRDU has implemented in Sudan for nearly a decade.
Finally, the PRDU remains committed to a high degree of external engagement. In 2008, the PRDU also launched the HRH El Hassan bin Talal Annual Lecture, with His Royal Highness as the inaugural speaker. On 6 November, he will be followed by Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Karen Koning AbuZayd, who will provide the second annual lecture.

This high level of achievement has been built upon continued growth. In 2009, two new colleagues joined the PRDU’s team, and we launched a research internship programme. Partnerships have also been critical to our success, and the PRDU is currently collaborating with, among others, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Responding to Conflict (RTC), International Alert, the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Forum, the Regional Human Security Centre (RHSC) in Amman, and many others.

You are invited to read further about these and other PRDU offerings and achievements within this site. If you are interested in the PRDU’s research, postgraduate courses, training programmes, or advisory activities, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Professor Sultan Barakat
Founding Director

News

  • UNRWA Commissioner-General delivered Second Annual El Hassan bin Talal Lecture on Post-war Reconstruction and Development: please click here for the Commissioner-General's lecture notes.

    On 6 November 2009, Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), delivered the second Annual El Hassan bin Talal Lecture on Post-war Reconstruction and Development, which was entitled ‘Exile, conflict and recovery: Dilemmas and prospects in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond’.

    From her base in Gaza, Ms AbuZayd helps to oversee the education, health, social services and microfinance programmes for eligible 4.6 million Palestine refugees. Since September 2000, her work has concentrated on providing emergency assistance to, and generating employment for, the victims of the current crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ms AbuZayd has held the position of Commissioner-General since 2005. Before joining UNRWA in 2000, she worked with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for 19 years in contexts such as Sudan, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

    The Annual Lecture in Post-war Reconstruction and Development was inaugurated in November 2008 with a lecture, entitled ‘The Middle East Today: Challenges for Reconstruction and Peace Building’, by its namesake, HRH El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. His Royal Highness is a visionary leader and inspiring speaker as well as a Patron of the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU).

  • PRDU and Department of Educational Studies Launch Review of ‘Education in Emergencies and Post-Conflict Transitions’ with UNICEF

  • Lebanese Officials Gain Skills for Conflict Resolution and Peace Building through PRDU-Led Initiative

  • PRDU ‘Evaluation Support Project’ Enhances Resettlement of Former Military Personnel in the Balkans

  • Invitation to Publish: International Library of Post-war Reconstruction and Development. Please click here for further information.

For further information on these news items please visit: News archive

Last Updated: November 12, 2009 | ao102

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