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| Created in Brussels in 1979, GRIP (Groupe de recherche et d’information sur la paix et la sécurité) developed in a particular context, that of the Cold War. At that time, our first research work tackled the balance of power resulting from the East-West confrontation and, throughout the 1980s, GRIP became well-known for the accuracy of its analyses and reports dealing with the arms race, its mechanisms, the interests at stake, etc.
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the geo-strategic perspective has changed considerably and so have GRIP’s research interests. Since then, GRIP has tackled security issues in the broad sense, studying things like the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, mostly in developing countries (particularly in Africa). Two of the many aspects in which GRIP specialises are the proliferation of light weapons and the control of the arms trade. Less traditional themes are also given close attention, like “green” conflicts, the role of the media and science, globalisation and humanitarian action, to cite some of the most recent.
GRIP is still studying the role of the European Union in the fields of defence and security as well as arms production, military doctrines and programmes, and the evolution of international organisations (UN, OSCE and NATO). In 1990, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Perez de Cuéllar, designated GRIP as a “Peace Messenger” in recognition of its “precious contribution to the action towards peace”. | |
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| GRIP’s research work focuses mainly on the following domains:P>
- Conflict prevention, management and resolution. Causes and consequences of conflicts; evaluation of risks and threats; evaluation of the use of force; development of civil instruments (mediation and negotiations); the role of civil society; peacekeeping operations; the role of international institutions (UN, EU, OSCE, African Union, etc.). The research carried out by GRIP covers the Balkans and sub-Saharan Africa (the Great Lakes region and West Africa).
- Proliferation of small arms and control of the arms trade. International, regional and national initiatives to limit the availability of small arms and improve the control of arms transfers (codes of conduct, model-conventions and legislation); the marking and traceability of small arms; arms sales to African countries and ownership of small arms by civilians).
- European Union and international security. European Union policy and role (development of the CFSP and the ESDP); relations with the UN, OSCE and NATO; and the drawing up of a European security and defence.
- Defence economy. Developments in arms production and defence budgets; the restructuring of defence industries; technological developments, arms programmes; globalisation, the defence economy and defence institutions.
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