Social Science Research Council

The AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative (ASCI) is a collaborative research and policy venture that aims to synthesize existing knowledge, develop the evidence base, and identify appropriate policies and programs in the field of HIV/AIDS, security and conflict. Its outcomes will contribute to mitigating the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on national and international security and conflict, refining HIV/AIDS policies and programs relevant to security institutions and concerns, and sustaining HIV/AIDS programs during complex emergencies, state crises and post-conflict periods so as to help prevent HIV transmission in these circumstances.

The preliminary ASCI research and policy program reflects the issues discussed at the expert seminar and policy conference convened in The Hague on 2-4 May 2005, sponsored by the Netherlands Government and co-hosted by the Clingendael Institute, the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and Harvard University Global Equity Initiative and co-sponsored by UNAIDS. The suggested architecture and plan of action reflect the proposal made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands at the policy conference on 4 May. It aims to be inclusive of and complementary to existing research activities in the field. This document reflects numerous consultations with individual experts, policy makers and research institutions.

Over an 18 month period beginning in late 2005, the ASCI will review, synthesize and sponsor research and policy engagement. It will do this in the manner of a decentralized learning initiative, with a joint secretariat at Clingendael and the SSRC, and a network of affiliated research institutions spread across the different continents, each focusing on a special area of expertise. Acknowledging the scarcity of expertise in this field and the extent to which concerned institutions and experts are already working in some of the focus areas, the emphasis of ASCI will be to build upon what is already in process, bring the researchers and policy experts together for meetings and exercises that can advance collective knowledge, commission research to fill the gaps, and synthesize what is known. The outcomes will include state of the art research and a state-of-the-art report with appropriate recommendations.