There were three main pillars to this research: the law, field operations and coordination.
The roles and functions attributed to the military in all types of humanitarian action, including ‘crisis resolution’ contexts, were looked at in great detail. The subject was studied from various angles: different operational angles and how legitimacy is defined by different operators, legal considerations and different mandates. What are the mandates of the UN, the OAU, the EU, the OSCE and what roles should be given to civil-military operations?
Research was carried out in the Balkans and in Central America as well as in Europe. The relationship with the military proved to be important, though sometimes uncomfortable..

A report was produced on the subject which was presented to the French authorities and widely debated with NGOs. At the same time, Groupe URD took part in a Commission set up by the HCCI (French High Council for International Cooperation) on ‘Crisis prevention and management’, which produced a report and submitted recommendations to the Prime Minister.
Different team members made regular contributions in meetings, conferences and training courses with State officials and representatives of the Armed Forces in an endeavour to clarify mandates, roles and responsibilities.

Field study: Relations Militaires - Humanitaires, Albanie (Military-Humanitarian relations, Albania - Only available in French)
Quel rôle pour les armées dans la réhabilitation? (What role for the military in rehabilitation?) Master’s thesis by Véronique De Geoffroy – Report synthesis (Only available in French)