Aid policy and programming in fragile and conflict-affectedsituations often assumes that investing in improved service delivery, justiceand security can contribute to state-building and peace-building.  Surveys are increasingly used to better understand the attitudes and perceptions ofpeople in conflict-affected countries but their impact on decisions about aid interventions is less clear.  This public meeting, organised by the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) and hosted by ODI, will explore the challenges associated with delivering perceptions surveys in fragile and conflict-affected situations, share findings from two surveys in Haiti and Afghanistan and assess how far these two perceptions surveys have successfully influenced aid policies.

Robert Muggah is presently a Fellow at the Instituto de Relações Internacionais, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. He directs several projects on humanitarian action in non-war settings, civilian rosters for peace support operations, and violence prevention and reduction. Dr. Muggah also coordinates the research project 'States of Fragility' and 'Urban Resilience in Situations of Chronic Violence' housed at the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peace-building and sponsored in part by the Folke Bernadotte Academy. Previously, he was Research Director of the Small Arms Survey and lectured at the Graduate Institute of International Studies.

Thomas Parks is The Asia Foundation’s regional director for Conflict and Governance based in Thailand. In this role, he shapes the strategic and intellectual direction for Foundation programs and research in the areas of subnational conflict, state-building and peace-building, state fragility, security and development in Asia.

George Varughesehas been The Asia Foundation's country representative in Nepal since May 2009, where he oversees a broad range of programs that support an effective political transition. Prior to this, George was The Asia Foundation’s country representative in Afghanistan for four years, where his responsibilities included overseeing capacity-building initiatives in the centre of Afghan government; supporting electoral management capacity building; women's advancement; and public education and discourse on democratic political processes. His achievements include spearheading the internationally-respected annual Survey of the Afghan People and its companion studies on state building and developmental challenges in Afghanistan; and advocating and helping lead investment in Afghan sub-national governance.

Sunil Pillai works with The Asia Foundation. Sunil Pillai has over nine years of survey and market research experience, including four years with Nielsen in India. He has been involved with the design and management of several nationwide opinion polls in India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.