Pakistan Community Resilience Research Network

Pakistan Community Resilience Research Network

Partner: Creative Learning 

Duration: July 2019-June 2021

Locale: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan

Status: Ongoing

Introduction

The concept of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) alongside peace, development and resilience has emerged as part of a modern approach to counter extremism and terrorism. Through CVE, we can cope with the threats to peace and security paving the way for a prosperous and resilient society.

One of the measures for countering violent extremism is holding dialogue in the form of both theory and practice followed by research.  Pakistan Community Resilience Research Network, a repository of knowledge and understanding on issues related to CVE in the Pakistani society, has initiated this dialogue which would fulfil the objectives of promoting the CVE concept through its high-quality research. However, the state needs to create forums for inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, which may bring governmental and non-governmental actors together to work on CVE strategies.

Objectives: 

The programme aims to strengthen research activities and build sustainable networks of researchers and thought leaders focused on building community resilience to Violent Extremism (VE) in Pakistan. 

The project will establish a nationwide on- and off-line network of Pakistani researchers based in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces who seek to advance knowledge on how to build community resilience to counter violent extremism.

Project activities:

The programme will carry out the following activities through which researchers will be 

• Given access to a dedicated web based and app-based research portal to discuss topics of common interest, and attend online courses on CVE topics and CVE research methodologies;
• Provided with in-class opportunities to learn about more about CVE and CVE research methodologies. 
• offered access to national and international experts who act as mentors and peer reviewers and support them to advance in their research, produce high quality papers and submit these papers to accredited domestic and international journals;
• Awarded research and travel grants of up to PKR 950,000 separately;

Under the programme activities, a 7-day exchange programme to the United States will also be organized. A number of public conferences will be held during which researchers can be able to showcase their work. A collection of research papers will be produced. 

Project Structure

The Network’s Project Advisory Board (PAB) oversees the strategic direction and implementation of all project activities. PAB members include two Honorary PAB members and SDPI and Creative Learning (CL) teams. 

The Network’s Senior Research Council (SRC) develops, guides and coordinates the project activities in each local chapter (Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore). It comprises as many as 09 leading experts in the field of social science (three for each chapter), who are selected by the PAB. Reporting to the PAB, SRC members 1) ensure the strategic development of their chapter’s membership and grant activities; 2) advise on the design of network activities in their chapter and coordinate the activities of their chapters with the other chapters; 3) act as academic supervisors, peer-reviewers and mentors for the members of their chapter; and 4) ensure that research produced by their chapter members will be published in academic journals or other publications in Pakistan or abroad.  

The Network’s Local Chapter Members are eligible researchers who participate in the project activities.  Researchers will be recruited via a public call for applications. From the pool of applicants, SRC and PAB members will jointly select a total of 45-60 participants (15-20 for each chapter). 

To become a part of our local chapter, please login and submit your online applications: 

https://sdpi.org/membershipapplicationform/

Project Team: 

Dr Shafqat Munir Ahmed 

Mr. Saleem Khilji 

Mr. Muhammad Awais Umar 

For questions, please contact awais@sdpi.org