From the war in Afghanistan to the favelas of Rio, armed groups play a pivotal role in contemporary conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. Yet their aims and interests are often misunderstood, which in turn leads to flawed approaches to tackling humanitarian and development issues, resolving conflicts and safeguarding global security. The Centre’s objective is to enhance understanding of these groups to enhance and support political, development and humanitarian engagement and to reduce violence and end armed conflict.

The Centre contributes to debates around armed groups and insecurity through independent research, policy advice, and outreach. The Centre’s primary focus is original fieldwork and direct engagement with armed groups, as well as cross-contextual comparison, that sheds new light on how to engage with and influence them.

The Centre is a resource for governments and aid actors grappling with the challenges of understanding and engaging with armed groups. The Centre addresses these common obstacles by providing rigorous analysis, tailored solutions and a safe space in which to discuss the challenges of engagement.