Research team

Expertise

Policy supporting advice or expertise on economic or political issues in the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa.

Finding Durable Solutions for Old Refugee Case-Ioads in Nakivale Settlement - Mbarara District. 15/12/2014 - 14/12/2016

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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  • Research Project

Transnational companies and local politics. Hybrid governance in mining concessions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Ghana. 01/10/2014 - 30/09/2018

Abstract

Demand for mineral resources is growing, while reserves are drying up. This evolution has pushed transnational mining companies (TNCs) towards extraction in formerly inaccessible locations, including post-conflict areas. Quite often in such settings, the TNCs concerned also perform governance functions, such as providing security, social services and public infrastructure. In so doing, they conform to the requirements of 'corporate social responsibility', which is often translated as 'doing good for the community'. But in addition to delivering benefits through hospitals, schools and roads, TNCs can also damage the environment and restrict people's access to land and resources. Moreover they may induce unintended harm through channels that remain largely unobserved. The arrival of a TNC tends to affect not just the local economy, but also local politics, creating winners and losers in both arenas. The proposed research takes a novel approach in studying such political changes, drawing on the literature on hybrid governance and analyzing power and authority 'from below'. Cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana are used in a comparative study with a view to gaining insight into local conflicts in their institutional and historical contexts. This is crucial for a more general understanding and management of companycommunity conflicts, as communities are never homogeneous and conflicts are as much about authority and legitimacy as they are about resources and land.

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  • Research Project

Partner Program for Institutional University Cooperation between the University of Burundi and the Flemish universities, Phase II (2014-2016). 01/04/2014 - 31/12/2015

Abstract

This project represents a formal service agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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  • Research Project

The impact of mass violence and post-conflict recovery on social mobility. Exploring the nature and underlying drivers of social transformation in Rwanda and Burundi. 01/10/2013 - 30/09/2016

Abstract

The overall objective is to understand social mobility in a post-conflict context. I will study the extent and differential nature of social mobility: whether, how and why individuals and households move up, move down or remain immobile. I use both a narrow and a broad concept of social mobility.

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  • Research Project

Research in the domain of development cooperation. 01/01/2013 - 30/09/2013

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

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  • Research Project

State institutions and hybrid governance beyond the 'failed' state: a comparative study of custom institutions along the borders of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. 01/10/2012 - 31/08/2014

Abstract

By studying specific state institutions, this research project aims at contributing to the theoretical debates on the nature of the state in Africa. It therefore discusses the following issues which are part of this commission: government/political systems; political sciences; public policy/administrations; political sociology.

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  • Research Project

Partner Program for Institutional University Cooperation between the University of Burundi and the Flemish universities, Phase I (2011-2013). 01/04/2011 - 31/03/2014

Abstract

This project represents a formal service agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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  • Research Project

Programme pré-partenaire (2010) pour la Coopération universitaire institutionelle entre l'université du Burundi et les universités flamandes 01/05/2010 - 31/03/2011

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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    • Research Project

    Research and formation in post-conflict development and local / regional governance. 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2012

    Abstract

    This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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      • Research Project

      Empowering the poor or protecting the powerful? Externally induced reforms and agency of local actors. A case-study on land dynamics in Rwanda and Burundi. 01/01/2009 - 31/12/2012

      Abstract

      Using land dynamics as its prism, this research project aims to understand 1) how opportunity structures - defined by norms, institutions, actors and implementation processes at the local, national and international level - interact with localized life-worlds and the agency of local actors; 2) how externally induced reforms may impact upon this interaction. Two case study countries will be considered: Rwanda and Burundi. The project adopts an actor-oriented perspective that aims to capture the complex interactions between human agency and the local institutional environment. It will use a combination of three disciplinary approaches: development anthropology, development economics, and law and development. The three components will be strongly linked and will fit into an overarching interdisciplinary methodology.

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        • Research Project

        An Anthropological and Micro-Level Exploration of Rwanda's Conflict Cycle with a Focus on Shifting Cleavages and Changing Identities in (1980-2010). 01/01/2009 - 31/12/2010

        Abstract

        Through an analysis of popular practices and perceptions of socio-political change in the context of (past) violent conflict does the research seek to understand how a variety of donor-driven and state-sanctioned implementation processes aimed at conflict resolution and prevention interact with localized lifeworlds and the agency of local actors. Rwanda is the case-study country, villages & households are units of analysis.

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          • Research Project

          Sabbatical leave. Political Economy of the Great Lakes Region in Central Africa. 01/10/2007 - 30/09/2008

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            • Research Project

            Conflicts and violence in Nord-Kivu. 01/06/2007 - 01/09/2007

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              • Research Project

              Evaluation Africa Policy. 01/08/2006 - 28/02/2007

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                • Research Project

                Prosecutorial policy in international criminal tribunals. 01/01/2006 - 31/12/2010

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                  • Research Project

                  DPRN Regional Expert Meeting Central Africa and support for information-gathering for the database of Global-connections.nl. 09/09/2005 - 15/04/2006

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                    • Research Project

                    The nature of political transitions and transitional justice. Case-studies on Rwanda and Burundi. 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2008

                    Abstract

                    This research project aims at analyzing the impact of the nature of a political transition and a political regime (before and after the transition) on the form and the success and/or failure of transitional justice efforts at national and international level. In-depth case studies will be made of Rwanda and Burundi. At the same time, the project will design an analytical framework which should further international comparative research on the topical issue of transitional justice in post-conflict societies more generally. In addition, policy recommendations will be proposed.

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                      • Research Project

                      The nature of political transitions and "transitional justice". Case-studies on Rwanda and Burundi. 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2007

                      Abstract

                      This research project aims at making a theoretical, scientific and at the same time policy-oriented analysis of the link between, on the one hand, the nature of a political regime (before and after the political transition) and the nature of the political transition, and, on the other hand, the form and success and/or failure of transitional justice efforts at national and international level. In-depth case-studies will be made of Rwanda and Burundi, with comparative references to other African experiences. There is a growing international attention (both at the level of research and at policy level) for the issue of transitional justice and a longstanding interest for the phenomenon of political transitions. The surplus value this proposed project intends to offer lies in its combined legal and political science analysis of a missing link, namely the impact of political characteristics of a transition on the form and feasibility of transitional justice.

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                        • Research Project

                        Scientific support for the students of the University of Antwerp in the field of universitary development cooperation. 15/10/2004 - 31/12/2007

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                          • Research Project

                          Press and politics in situations of extreme crisis : case-study Rwanda and Burundi; 01/10/2004 - 30/09/2008

                          Abstract

                          In this research project on the relation between the press and politics in situations of extreme crisis the central questions are about the role of the media in political transition and the role of the media in conflict resolution and conflict prevention. Rwanda and Burundi are both in the process of political transition but are also confronted with a situation of economic, social and political crisis. To which extent does this crisis has an impact on the relation between the press and politics ?

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                            • Research Project

                            Special Chair Province of Antwerp (2002-2003). 01/10/2002 - 30/09/2003

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                              • Research Project

                              Special Chair Province of Antwerp (2001-2002). 01/10/2001 - 30/09/2002

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                                The international right to reparation for victims of human rights violations. 01/01/2000 - 31/12/2003

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                                  • Research Project

                                  Social capital and the performance of local development projects. 01/01/1999 - 31/12/1999

                                  Abstract

                                  This explorative, comparative study aims at understanding how the impact of creditprojects is related to the structure and functioning of local networks. Two small farmer communities in a region in Nicaragua share an important amount of characteristics (socio-economic, climatological, physical, size, composition,'), yet they behave completely different when looked at credit repayment and investment. This research tries to find answers in the local structure.

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                                    • Research Project

                                    01/01/1998 - 31/12/1998

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                                      • Research Project

                                      Policy supporting actions concerning conditionality. 22/12/1996 - 21/12/1997

                                      Abstract

                                      Follow up to the policy preparing research-project "Development cooperation : a tool for the promotion of human rights and democratization. Implementation of the policies of # donors + recommendations to the Belgian authorities.

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                                        • Research Project

                                        Multidisciplinary information network between Belgian universities and Rwanda-Burundi-Kivu 01/10/1996 - 30/09/2000

                                        Abstract

                                        The international community has shown its unability to cope with the (dramatic) problems in this region. One of the shortcomings is the biased information on which the international community has based its analysis. The network will try to fill this information and analysis gap. The approach will be multidisciplinary (socio-economic, political and juridicial).

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                                          • Research Project

                                          The elaboration of an information network between Belgium and Ruanda-Burundi. A contribution to prevention of conflicts and a more cost-efficient policy. 01/01/1996 - 31/12/1999

                                          Abstract

                                          The Centre for the Study of the Region of the Great Lakes enjoys an international reputation concerning the available knowledge and expertise on the Region mentioned. It is the aim of the researchers to validate constantly this concentrated knowledge through multidisciplinary (socio-economical, politico-economical and politico-juridical) research.

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                                            • Research Project

                                            01/09/1993 - 31/07/1995

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                                              • Research Project

                                              "Constitutiones Africae" - African Constitutions. 01/01/1992 - 31/12/1992

                                              Abstract

                                              This collection publishes information on the constitutional and political systems of all African states; its presentation is bilingual (English-French) and loose-leaf. Each country report includes: (i) basic data; (ii) political history; (iii) analysis of the constitution; (iv) text of the constitution; (v) bibliography on public law and politics.

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                                                • Research Project

                                                The application of norms of international human rights law in the courts of Rwanda (Central Africa). 01/10/1991 - 30/09/1992

                                                Abstract

                                                Rwanda has adhered to a number of international Human Rights conventions, i.a. the International Covenant on civil and political rights and the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Righths. To what extent and how are these provisions effectively applied by the courts of Rwanda ?

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                                                  Providing basic legal documentation for Rwandan courts and setting up an up-to-date instrumentarium for Rwandan legal practioners. 01/01/1990 - 31/12/1993

                                                  Abstract

                                                  20 manuals composed by Rwandan and Belgian authors and available in 400 copies cover the whole domain of Rwandan law. It was composed especially for legal practioners and magistrates in particular. A new edition of the "Codes et Lois du Rwanda" (4) is being prepared.

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                                                    • Research Project