DDRnet is a network for DDR practitioners.

Through the network, the TDRP organizes events focusing on understanding the transition from DDR to longer term peacebuilding and development programs, and also on evaluating the impact of past and current DDR activities.

These events gather a wide variety of actors involved in DDR and related topics: government officials, UN agency representatives, civil society/NGOs, think tanks and research institutions. They come together in flexible configurations based on the theme of the event.

DDRnet Expert Seminars

Upcoming

• February 2012 – Training on DDR at the African Union. Addis Ababa
• February 2012 – DDR sustainability in the context of shadow economies (2nd event in the series) Addis Ababa

Past events

• Strengthening Nationally Owned DDR Programs
  September 2011 - Addis Ababa
  Meeting Report
  
  The participants tried to define the concept of national ownership in DDR Programs and identified the characteritics of effective partnerships when implementing DDR.
  
  
• DDR sustainabiilty in the context of shadow economies
  December 2010 – Washington, DC
  
  The participants sought to answer these questions:
  • What economic realities confront former combatants that are attempting to reintegrate into civilian life?
  • What types of economic reintegration strategies and practices have been pursued?
  • Has DDR practice, especially its reintegration, adequately responded to these realities?
  • How can reintegration practice be improved, especially in the context on informal or unrecorded economies?
    .
• Foreign Armed Groups in the Great Lakes – the LRA
  June 2010 – Washington, DC
  
  The participants discussed:
  • an overview of the regional impact of the LRA, focusing on the evolution of the rebel group and current status as a destabilizing agent in the region
  • challenges that the international community faces in addressing the LRA
  • opportunities and gaps in responding to the LRA issue.
    
    
• Foreign Armed Groups in the Great Lakes – the FDLR
  April 2010 - Brussels
  
  The event had as objectives to:
  • provide a stocktaking of the current situation of the FDLR in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and around the world
  • exchange on current activities and challenges faced by key actors in the Great Lakes
  • brainstorm around a possible framework for action to address the FDLR.
    
    
• The Politics of Demobilization
  April 2010 – Brussels
  Meeting report
  
  The three objectives of this seminar were to:
  • Analyze the incentives (political, economic) of leaders of armed groups – and their behavior/ conduct over the course of a peace process
  • Analyze the interface between diplomats and development practitioners
  • Provide any guidance or recommendations on how to strengthen policy and practice in the quest for strengthening voluntary disarmament processes.