BICC
Our mission is to conduct critical, problem-oriented, policy relevant research in response to the problems posed by organized violence.
As an independent, non-profit organization, BICC (Internationales Konversionszentrum Bonn—Bonn International Center for Conversion) deals with a wide range of global topics in the field of peace and conflict research centering on Conversion Studies.
We engage in active exchanges with scholars and politicians as well as stakeholders in everyday practice and civil society. As a think tank, BICC seeks to engage in a dialogue with NGOs, governments, private organizations, research institutes and universities and well as with interested individuals.
Research themes:
BICC examines the dynamics of organized violence at three levels:
- Concepts(with the research themes: Discourses about war and Civil–military boundaries);
- Means(with the research themes: Arms production and political economy, Arms transfers and arms control and Base conversion and arms destruction);
- Practices (with the research themes: Mobilization and demobilization and Use of violence).
Natural resources as well as Migration are intersecting research themes which show multiple inter-linkages with organized violence.
BICC’s work is based on a ‘knowledge circle’, which intends to bridge the gap between research and practice. We believe in mutual learning processes. With our applied research, being credible, relevant, and legitimate, we aim to have an impact on political and social processes. At the same time, our practical experiences and interactions with non-academics should open up avenues for further academic research
BICC’s portfolio includes:
- Applied research (background and evaluation studies, research reports, impact evaluations, development of indicators, feasibility studies to support program implementation).
- Policy advice (background analyses, publications, data bases, presentations, and informal talks).
- Technical advice and capacity development (training of stakeholders, expert workshops, and allocation of long- and short-term experts was well as preparation of concepts and modules for the further education).
- Data, and Geographic Information Systems (collection, analysis, and preparation of data).
- Information of the public (publications, websites, events, exhibitions, press work).
