HPCR International policy initiatives offer research and professional tools in response to practical and conceptual challenges facing the humanitarian community.

Our policy work is based on a theory of change and institutional transformation, which sees large organizations committed to the protection of civilians in conflict as challenged by longstanding and emerging dilemmas of law, policy and professional capacity. HPCR International fosters close relationships with humanitarian and legal professionals working on civilian protection. Through these engagements, HPCR International seeks out openings for change, spaces where a field or a group of professionals acknowledge dilemmas in their work and are prepared to identify innovative solutions.

Activities are designed to promote policy impact by:

• Identifying gaps in research and practice, where authoritative baseline knowledge is needed
• Utilizing innovative methods and tools to provide training, research and advisory services
• Developing professional tools to connect knowledge and skills with practice
• Building professional networks around challenging humanitarian issues, and supporting forums for dialogue

HPCR International’s experience demonstrates that research products often do not reach decision makers due to a lack of impact-oriented thinking and action. Our work closes this gap by focusing on key moments where transformation occurs, enabling cutting-edge research to impact action on the ground.

All research and policy activities at HPCR International are directed toward producing an impact on policy and decision making processes – from developing policy-oriented research on the most pressing challenges to law and protection of civilians in conflict today, to drafting briefs and recommendations based on action-oriented research, to driving information technology platforms and networking of professionals to reach practitioners with knowledge about these key challenges, and finally, to responding to requests for advisory services. These practices inform one another, and also drive future topics for research and analysis.

Guided by this methodology, HPCR International policy initiatives are structured with a view toward institutional transformation and improved protection of civilians in conflict.