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Sudan is in a state of peaceful transformation. Following
the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement in Niavasha,
Kenya, in January 2005 and the formation of a national unity
government, a new phase in the modern history of the country
is gradually unfolding. The tasks of nation building and
reconstruction have proved to be challenging missions in a
country the size of Western Europe. The legacy of war and widespread destruction throughout the past
decades posed a testing situation for international and
local civil society organisations alike. Issues of
rehabilitation, reconciliation, reintegration, repatriation
and human rights are all crucial to the achievement of
peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.
The Centre for Society Studies (CSS) is a
reputable research and academic institution, and a
determinant initiative undertaken by a group of social
scientists including women and
youth to contribute to the alleviation of all manifestations
of social injustice, poverty, conflicts, social unrest
emphasizing human rights, welfare, dignity, peace and
advancement of society and development.
The CSS works independently and in collaboration with other
NGOs to strengthen the capacity of civil actors in areas of
poverty reduction, resettlement, human rights advocacy,
gender equality and the promotion of peace culture.
As
an independent operational research centre on the social
landscape, the CSS was established in 2003 as distinguished
civil society entity, registered with
the Sudanese Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and has a
wider membership of experts and roster of consultants.
The
inspiration and vision for CSS came to establish real and
sustained social stability at the local, national and
regional levels. The post peace agreement stage requires the
coordination with relevant stakeholders to achieve maximum
benefits. CSS is envisioned as a focal and policy venue to
ensure the development, advancement and welfare of the
nation.
The
cornerstone for all CSS programmes is working with people to
define and solve the problems faced by affected communities,
through the utilization of a broad array of strategies to
ensure self-sufficiency.
CSS
aims at forming alliances and work closely with
policy oriented institutions, international agencies and non-governmental
organizations to create opportunities for people, especially
the weak strata to live in a safe environment and
healthy fulfilling lives.
Among the top priorities of the centre, the long-term
engagement to foster and develop local self-sufficiency
projects, adequate and prompt response to emergency
situations, the undertaking of basic education initiatives
and advocacy on aspects of social complexity.
The CSS attempts to combine scientific research work with
practice in order to link research findings with policy
making executive duties so as to achieve the mobilization of
the society and rally its capabilities in order to respond
to the negative social phenomena, and encourage the positive
values that help to strengthen and improve the social
fabric.
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