RESEARCH PROGRAMS
We organize Social Inquiry's research into three main thematic programs described below. The aim of our work is to improve the impact and effectiveness of public policies and interventions that seek to address the root causes of conflict related to governance, civic trust and inequality.
The way we approach these themes in all the areas we operate in is based on a three-degrees lens: we work with national institutional partners as well as international organizations and diplomatic missions, but we never leave aside the contributions and discussions with the wider local community, the common citizens in all their variety. This altogether conforms our evidence base that is nuanced, rigorous and local.
IRAQ PROGRAM
This is Social Inquiry’s flagship program and, as such, serves as a springboard for much of our thinking and line of questioning as relates to shaping a sort of peace public policy. Our work in Iraq started in 2017 and, while it has been evolving over time, our current focus is placed on dealing with the post-conflict stabilization, political renovation, and the deactivation of security challenges.
The key interventions that we see critical to work on are thus the following:
Disputed territories as hotspots for renewed violence
Political renovation for a healthy governance
Stability for the South
A more resilient rural Iraq
Security vacuums and protection of civilians
Unaddressed displacement issues linked to justice needs and reintegration
sudan program
Our work in Sudan started in 2021, aiming to transfer lessons learned from other contexts to better understand peacebuilding and displacement resolution needs. As such, our focus has been on dealing with the land occupation and displacement and with the protection of civilians especially in the Darfurs. Interventions in Sudan have been put on halt temporarily due to the recent conflict outbreak.
The key interventions that we see critical to work on are thus the following:
Land occupation and resolving displacement
Security arrangements for public confidence building
GLOBAL PROGRAM
Our global program is not country-focused but it builds on overarching narratives about being more effective in addressing the root causes of conflict and reversing negative social dynamics. Our role is centered on establishing links between grounded country-based work and the global discourses and evidence base.
The key interventions that we see critical to work on are thus the following:
Connecting the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus
Connecting grassroot enablers for change