TAMNEAC · Training and Mobility Network for the Economic Analysis of Conflict

Mass violent conflict affects millions of individuals and households in developing countries. The EU attempts to advance a coordinated approach to end these conflicts and to mitigate the negative effects for survivors. Nevertheless, a clear challenge is that 40% of violent conflicts reignite within 10 years of ending. As outlined in the Commission’s “Instrument for Stability Strategy Paper 2007-2011”, European institutions recognize the need to formulate policies that will help to end this conflict trap. This is urgently necessary in order to enable sustainable social, economic, and human development. Building capacities to address these challenges is the aim of the Training and Mobility Network for the Economic Analysis of Conflict (TAMNEAC). Europe needs a young, knowledge-based generation of researchers and professionals that are trained in rigorous research methods and in policy-based responses to violent conflict. The network will contribute to our understanding of the drivers, the forms and the social consequences of conflict, as well as the risk management strategies that individuals and households can use to cope with conflict.TAMNEAC will make a significant contribution in several ways. First, it will develop sustainable professional capacities. With the inclusion of policy and private sector partners, TAMNEAC will develop a cohort of future researchers, policy-makers, and consultants that can deal effectively with conflict. Second, it will overcome current limitations within conflict research by investigating new and innovative topics, such as natural resource exploitation as a driver of conflict, the effects of conflict on maternal health, and the use of microinsurance to manage risk in post-conflict settings. Finally, TAMNEAC’s research will be oriented toward policy-makers and will be disseminated using innovative means. The impact that the network anticipates will help to address the capacity needs identified in the EU’s 2003 Security Strategy Paper.