hosting off-the-record consultations between outside experts and UN officials, mostly in New York, but also in the field;

recommending experts on or from countries affected by conflict;

developing networks of individual experts who can be drawn on both by CPPF and the UN directly, including through the commissioning of targeted research;

conducting occasional evaluations; and following scholarly and policy analysis on issues of concern to the UN. The following list, while selective, is illustrative of the scope of our work.

Zimbabwe papers, June 2008: A series of papers on long-term socioeconomic developments in the region.

Burundi papers, June 2008: A series of papers on the peace process in Burundi.

Burundi, May 2008 (New York): A meeting to assess the peace process, timed to coincide with the New York visit of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi.

Sudan elections, May 2008 (New York): An internal stakeholder analysis to help the Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations assess the viability and timing of elections in Sudan.

Central African Republic, May 2008 (New York): A meeting to examine the peacebuilding challenges in CAR, held one day prior to the departure of the Peacebuilding Support Office mission to the country.

Greater Horn of Africa, April 2008 (New York): A meeting to help generate a shared analysis across UN staff at headquarters and the field of the regional dynamics of various conflicts in the region.

Sahel, March 2008 (New York): A meeting to explore the nexus between climate change and conflict in the Sahel in anticipation of a high-level visit to the region.

Sudan, February 2008 (New York): A meeting to discuss the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sudan and options for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Sudan, November 2007 (Addis Ababa): An informal consultation to address challenges facing the UN in Sudan in the medium and long term.

Guinea-Bissau, October 2007 (New York): A consultation to identify priorities for peacebuilding, in the context of a possible Security Council referral of Guinea-Bissau to the UN Peacebuilding Commission.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), July 2007 (Kinshasa): A consultancy for the UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Kinshasa by a former minister and decentralization expert from Mali.

Horn of Africa, July 2007 (New York): A meeting that followed the discussion of Sudan held the previous day (see below) with analysis of the conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea and in Somalia in the context of regional dynamics.

Sudan, July 2007 (New York): A consultation to address questions related to the future development of Sudan, including the elections and referendum foreseen for 2009 and 2011, respectively.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), May 2007 (New York): Following on from the April workshop, a meeting that sought to identify priorities for the United Nations in the wake of elections in the DRC.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), April 2007 (Kinshasa): A workshop to assist the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC) to assess the risks and opportunities for decentralization.

Chad/Central African Republic (CAR), January 2007 (New York): A consultation to analyze options for UN engagement in Chad and the CAR, held one day prior to a Secretariat briefing of the Security Council.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), January-July 2007 (Ituri, DRC): A public opinion survey on attitudes towards justice and reconciliation in Ituri commissioned in consultation with the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) from a Congolese partner.

Sudan, January-June 2007: A series of papers commissioned from Sudanese and other experts on the prospects for peace in Sudan.

West Africa, October 2006 (Dakar, Senegal): A two-day workshop to discuss peace consolidation and cross-cutting challenges in the region, jointly organized with the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA).

Darfur, Sudan, July 2006 (New York): A two-day consultation to assess the lessons learned from the peacemaking effort that led to the Darfur Peace Agreement of 5 May 2006 and the challenges facing its implementation.

Somalia, July 2006 (New York): A consultation to assess the dramatic changes that took place in Somalia in the first half of 2006, and the prospects for international efforts to facilitate a political settlement.

Sierra Leone, June 2006 (Freetown): A two-day meeting organized in partnership with the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) and the government of Sierra Leone to analyze the complexities of peace consolidation in Sierra Leone.

Sudan/Eritrea, May 2006 (New York): An informal meeting that sought to further understanding of Eritrea's internal political dynamics, as well as the domestic and regional implications of its relations with Sudan.

Côte d'Ivoire, March 2006 (New York): A meeting to assess the prospects of the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire.

Chad, Sudan and the Region, February 2006 (New York): A meeting that built on CPPF's earlier work on Darfur to explore the complex dynamics between Chad and Sudan, and the relation they bore to the ongoing attempt to find a political settlement to the conflict in Darfur.

Democratic Republic of Congo, January-March 2006: A sequence of short thinkpieces on post-electoral strategy commissioned for the consideration of the UN Observer Mission in the Congo, MONUC.

Burundi, November 2005 (Bujumbura, Burundi): An evaluation of the UN's Office in Burundi, ONUB, conducted by CPPF's Associate Director at the request of the UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations. 

Somalia, October 2005 (New York): Briefings to assess the post-election scenario and the challenges facing the transitional federal government.

Guinea, June 2005 (Dakar): A meeting to assess the country's political dynamics and brainstorm among members of the international community on possible policy options.

Sudan, April 2005 (New York): A meeting to brief senior UN officials about to travel to Sudan on local, national and regional dynamics affecting the country and the challenges to implementation of the Naivasha accord.

Côte d'Ivoire, March 2005 (New York): Two briefing meetings, one for the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the current situation in Côte d'Ivoire and strategies for the UN mission and another for the Special Advisor for the Prevention of Genocide.

Darfur, Sudan, December 2004–June 2005 (multiple locations): In collaboration with Justice Africa, commissioned research into different dimensions of the Darfur conflict for partners in the UN and AU.

Côte d'Ivoire, December, 2004 (New York): A meeting to assess prospects for a return to the peace process envisaged by the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III agreements.

Darfur, September and November 2004 (New York): Linked meetings to analyze the evolving crisis in Darfur and its impact on wider Sudanese political processes, including the north-south negotiations.

Liberia, October 2004 (New York): A consultation among UN representatives, experts on Liberia and on other cases of post-conflict reconstruction to analyze key constitutional-legislative issues in the context of elections scheduled for 2005.

Democratic Republic of Congo, June 2004 (New York): The second of two meetings held on the state of the political transition and options for UN engagement in the DRC given ongoing instability in eastern Congo (Goma, Bukavu and Ituri) and Kinshasa, and attacks on the UN Observer Mission, MONUC.

Somalia, May 2004 (New York): A consultation to analyze the political context surrounding peace negotiations and the installation of a transitional federal government.

Youth Unemployment and Regional Crisis in West Africa, February 2004 (Dakar): An expert meeting in support of the UN Office in West Africa (UNOWA) that aimed to help develop strategies for addressing the relationship between youth unemployment and political instability by focusing on the inter-linkages of conflict, economy, and youth.

Democratic Republic of Congo, April 2003 (New York): A meeting that brought together leading experts on the DRC and broader Great Lakes region from Africa, Europe, and North America and UN officials to examine short and medium-term trends and challenges to the peace process in the DRC.

Bangladesh, June 2008 (New York): An informal consultation to review Bangladesh’s road back to democracy as the country debated the election timetable.

Sri Lanka, June 2008 (New York): An informal consultation to explore the shape of a future peace process in Sri Lanka.

Nepal, May-June 2008 (Kathmandu): A consultancy to conduct a rapid lessons learned exercise on the UN experience of arms monitoring in Nepal.

Nepal, March-April 2008 (Kathmandu): A research paper on the contribution of external actors (NGOs, the UN itself, and individual states) to the peace process in Nepal.

Sri Lanka, March 2008 (New York): A meeting for the UN Department of Political Affairs and the Inter-Agency Working Group to assess the situation in Sri Lanka and its implications for the UN after the abrogation of the ceasefire. The meeting was informed by a background paper written by a consultant after a February visit to the country.

Nepal, March 2008 (Kathmandu/Delhi): Travel to Kathmandu and Delhi by CPPF's director to conduct research for a paper assessing the role of external actors in Nepal's peace process.

Myanmar (Burma): Continued support for the good offices work of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General.

Southern Thailand, October 2007 (New York): An informal consultation to improve understanding of the conflict.

Timor-Leste, October 2007 (Dili): At the request of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), a workshop for the mission's Security Sector Support Unit, and interaction with national actors.

Myanmar (Burma), September-November 2007: A series of analytical briefing papers by experts commissioned to further understanding of the rapidly developing political situation.

Myanmar (Burma), June 2007 (New York): An informal consultation on the UN's good offices role and coordination with humanitarian and human rights activities following the appointment of the new Special Adviser to the Secretary-General.

Timor-Leste, May 2007 (New York): A consultation with Timorese experts and political actors to help inform UN interlocutors on challenges that will follow the parliamentary elections to be held in June.

Pakistan, February 2007 (New York): A meeting to deepen understanding of the political dynamics inside Pakistan with a particular emphasis on how they may influence Afghanistan and the challenge they present to international actors.

Sri Lanka, January 2007 (New York): A workshop to deepen understanding of the situation in Sri Lanka, and explore possible options for the way forward.

Nepal, December 2006 (New York): A lunchtime briefing for UN and NGO partners by a leading member of Nepal's people's movement.

Timor-Leste, December 2006 (Dili): A visit for research and consultation with the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste regarding future support, leading most immediately to commissioned analysis on youth gangs.

UN and Asian Peace and Security, November 2006 (Singapore): A workshop co-organized with International Peace Academy on the role and potential for the UN in Asian peace and security.

Myanmar (Burma), August 2006 (New York): A workshop to help develop policy and strategy for the UN Department of Political Affairs in advance of the Under-Secretary-General's visit to Myanmar in the fall.

Nepal, September 2006 (New York): A visit to share experiences of the peace process in El Salvador, with emphasis on the FMLN's transition from armed insurgency to mainstream political party.

Timor-Leste, June 2006 (New York): A brainstorming meeting to assess the origins of the rapidly evolving crisis in Timor-Leste as well as the challenges facing the UN needs assessment mission deployed in the days following this meeting.

Korean Peninsula, June 2006 (New York): A meeting that brought together experts from North East Asia and the United States to assess security and other challenges facing the Korean peninsula and the potential for an enhanced UN role.

Myanmar (Burma), April 2006 (New York): A consultation to discuss the situation in Myanmar (Burma) and the prospects for UN action and assistance.

Nepal, February 2006 (New York): A meeting to assess the increasing pressures on the King, the emerging alliance between opposition political parties and the Maoists, and the potential for enhanced UN engagement.

Bangladesh, February 2006 (New York): A meeting to assess to what extent problems of governance and militancy pose a challenge to internal security in Bangladesh.

Timor-Leste, December 2005 (New York): A meeting that looked forward to the expiration of the mandate of the UN Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL) in May 2006 in the context of increasing concern that the country might continue to need international support beyond then.

Sri Lanka, April 2005 (New York): A lunchtime briefing by a visiting Sri Lankan scholar on the peace process.

Myanmar (Burma), February 2005 (New York): A meeting to assess the stalled engagement of the UN's good offices and human rights efforts within the country.

Indonesia, May 2004 (New York): A meeting that brought together a small number of experts to examine critical dynamics in Indonesia's transition.

Nepal, January 2004 (New York): A two-day meeting that explored the dynamics of the Nepal conflict and considered ways that UN good offices could help promote a political resolution.

Indonesia, October 2003 (New York): A meeting co-hosted with the Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) to examine options for addressing humanitarian and political concerns in the province of Aceh in light of the expiration of martial law in November 2003.

Indonesia, June 2002 (Jakarta): A two-day meeting organized jointly with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to examine the incidence and patterns of potential conflict in Indonesia and discuss ways to help strengthen Indonesia's capacity to resolve and prevent conflict.

Nepal, December 2002 (New York): A meeting jointly organized with the Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) to discuss the conflict in Nepal.

Indonesia, October 2001 (New York): A meeting to examine the principal challenges facing President Megawati Sukarnoputri and the scope for UN support.

Georgia/Abkhazia, February 2008 (New York): A brainstorming amongst current and former UN officials organized to inform the Secretariat's preparation of an assessment of the peace process.

Central Asia, October 2007 (New York): An informal brainstorming meeting on the role and functions of the future UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

Tajikistan, April 2007 (Dushanbe): Support to a colloquium sponsored by the UN Tajikistan Office of Peace-Building to review the lessons learned in ten years of peace-building in Tajikistan.

Georgia/Abkhazia, February 2007 (London): A meeting jointly organized with Conciliation Resources to exchange perspectives on the Georgian/Abkhaz conflict and peace process with NGO and other experts.

Georgia/Abkhazia, May 2006 (New York): A meeting jointly organized with Conciliation Resources to discuss the current situation with visiting representatives of Georgian and Abkhaz civil society and UN partners.

Central Asia regional meeting, December 2005 (Dushanbe): Expert support to a meeting organized by the United Nations to assess the potential for regional cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and organized crime.

Georgia/Abkhazia, June 2005 (New York): A small expert meeting to assess the current situation and the impasse in international efforts to resolve the conflict.

Central Asia, 2001-2005 (multiple locations): A joint effort by the UN and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to promote high-level but informal policy dialogue among the five post-Soviet Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan through focused, semi-official meetings that addressed issues of common regional concern.

Haiti, May-July 2008: At the request of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, a consultancy to examine future perspectives for the Haitian economy.

Venezuela, January 2008 (New York): An informal briefing by two analysts on the efficacy of the social programmes (misiones) initiated by the government of President Hugo Chávez.

Haiti, October 2007 (Port-au-Prince): Support for a seminar in Haiti on Youth Gangs, Violence, and Urban Transformation organized by a local partner in follow-up to CPPF's June event.

Haiti, June 2007 (Port-au-Prince): Two workshops that brought together policymakers from the UN, the government of Haiti, representatives of Haitian civil society, other international partners and a small group of expert practitioners to explore lessons from regional experience (Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, United States) in addressing gang and other urban armed violence.

Ecuador, May 2007 (New York): A meeting to examine the transformation of political dynamics in Ecuador in anticipation of the Constituent Assembly expected to be held later in the year.

Haiti, December 2006 (New York): Two small meetings, one specifically addressing police issues, for the new Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Acting Police Commissioner of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Bolivia, July 2006 (New York): A meeting to take stock of the situation in Bolivia in the immediate aftermath of elections to the Constituent Assembly.

Haiti, June 2006 (Port-au-Prince): A consultancy to assess the situation in the justice sector.

Haiti, July and September 2005 (New York): Two meetings to assess the complex situation in Haiti in the pre-electoral period and arguments in favor of and against brief postponements of the elections.

Southern Andes, May 2005 (New York): A meeting on Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru to review the political crisis in the three countries and address possible options for enhanced international engagement.

Colombia, November 2004 (New York): An informal consultation amongst diverse Colombian experts and UN officials to assess the challenges facing the UN's "good offices" role.

Haiti, April 2004 (New York): A stocktaking and 'lessons learned' exercise to contribute to the UN's internal planning for a new mission in June 2004.

Bolivia, May 2003 (La Paz): A joint consultation with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the deepening political crisis in Bolivia.

Andean Regional Security, 2001-2003 (multiple locations): A multi-year joint initiative with the UN to explore cross-cutting issues of regional security facing Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Peru.

UN Framework Team, June 2008 (New York): A second meeting of a Learning Series undertaken for the UN Framework Team examined land disputes and conflict mediation strategies.

Prevention of Genocide, April 2008 (New York): A small meeting in support of the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide to help him assess his mandate and its implementation.

Security Sector Reform, March 2008 (New York): Support provided to a UN Development Programme-Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery/Department of Peacekeeping Operations consultative meeting on the Secretary-General's report on security sector reform.

UN Framework Team, March 2008 (New York): This first meeting of a Learning Series undertaken for the Framework Team explored climate change as an aggravating factor in conflict.

Security Sector Reform (SSR), November 2007 (New York): A workshop to provide feedback on a UN non-paper on security sector reform.

HIV/AIDS and UN peacekeeping, February 2007-January 2008: A consultancy on medical and public health aspects of HIV/AIDS and UN peacekeepers undertaken at the request of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations' Best Practices Section.

Responsibility to Protect, February 2007 (New York): A workshop that brought together policymakers from the UN Department of Political Affairs, the Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide and external experts to take stock of the current debates on the emerging norm of the responsibility to protect.

Electoral Assistance and Democracy, December 2006 (New York): A workshop organized for the Electoral Assistance Division and other UN partners assessing challenges and standards for UN electoral assistance.

Civil Affairs Workshop, December 2005 (New York): Support to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) Best Practices Section in co-hosting a workshop for civil affairs officers from a dozen peace operations. The exercise contributed to the UN's attempt to refine the role of civil affairs officers, including through review of their relationship to other actors, as well as guidance and training needs.

Knowledge Management for Peace Operations, June 2005 (New York): A joint roundtable with the Peacekeeping Best Practices Unit of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to exchange ideas and approaches to knowledge management within the context of peace operations.

Prevention of Genocide, August 2004 (New York): A brainstorming meeting, in support of the newly-appointed UN Special Advisor to the Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide, to discuss his initial strategy, methodology, and overall approach with particular emphasis on practical recommendations.

Knowledge Project, August 2003-August 2004: Housed at CPPF, the Knowledge Project aimed to strengthen the UN's capacity to generate and channel knowledge related to peace efforts through the UN system. The project concluded with a report and a series of concrete recommendations on internal policy processes and how to relate to outside institutions, including CPPF.