Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 1 January 2024 To 31 December 2024
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 306136
Conflict Research Society
Charity's principal address 45 Ethelbert Road
Canterbury Postcode CT1 3NF
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kristin M. Bakke | Chair | 04.09.24-present | CRS Council | |
| Hugh Miall | President | CRS Council | ||
| John Gledhill | Membership Secretary | CRS Council | ||
| Hilary Adams | Treasurer | CRS Council | ||
| Jennifer Hodge | Strategic director | CRS Council | ||
| Imrana Alhaj Buba | Secretary | 01.10.24-present | CRS Council | |
| Christine Cheng | Council Member | CRS Council | ||
| Kit Rickard | Council Member | CRS Council | ||
| Teresa Dumasy | Council Member | CRS Council | ||
| Valerie Sticher | Council Member | CRS Council | ||
| Corinne Barra | Council Member | 05.09.24-present | CRS Council | |
| Sebastian van Baalen | Council Member | 01.10.24-present | CRS Council | |
| Robert Nagel | Chair (interim) | 01.01.24-03.09.24 | CRS Council | |
| Allard Duursma | Council Member | 01.01.24-04.09.24 | CRS Council | |
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
Association How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Annual election to Council by membership at AGM Trustee selection methods
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
The objects of the Society are to promote research, practice and the extension of knowledge in the fields of Peace and Conflict Research. By the term ‘Peace and Conflict Research’ is meant the investigation and study on a systematic basis of the following:
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
a) The CONDITIONS AND DYNAMICS of cooperation and conflict at all levels, with special reference to large-scale violent conflicts, including war.
b) The FACTORS within and across social systems which cause them to approach or avoid constructive or destructive conflicts. This requires a multi-disciplinary pooling of knowledge.
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c) The PROCESS of preventing, managing, resolving and transforming conflicts and building peace, including such specific proposals as the modification of existing social or political institutions or the creation of new ones. ‘Building peace’ includes research into underlying asymmetries and inequalities and their implications. It also includes research and activities related to exploration of the creative dimensions of what has been termed positive peace. d) The LIKELY CONSEQUENCES of particular policies and proposals intended to avoid, resolve or control conflicts, or to increase cooperation between groups of individuals, the steps necessary to realise such proposals, and possible obstacles in their way. This includes research into the link between theory and practice.
e) Any other problems directly relevant to conflict and cooperative behaviour. The investigation and study is directed as far as possible towards finding factual evidence and objective criteria for testing theories and hypotheses. This includes the aim of relating quantitative and qualitative data.
To this end, the Society organizes an annual conference and occasionally other meetings. It publishes a newsletter for the benefit of members. It gives an annual Book Prize to the most outstanding book in its field every year, and awards a prize for the best piece of PhD research. It occasionally offers small travel grants to PhD researchers in its area. It promotes the exchange of news and information in the conflict research and practice field through its website, twitter feed and networking.
In organizing these activities the trustees have regard to the guidance Summary of the main issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
Section D Achievements and performance
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Section D Achievements and performance The 2024 conference, held at Edinburgh School of Law and in Summary of the main collaboration with PeaceRep, was a huge success, with around 235 achievements of the charity participants, from 137 institutions and 6 continents. This was our most during the year international and diverse CRS conference to date. We received outstanding feedback from participants once more- with multiple people suggesting again that this was the best conference that they had attended, and certainly one of the best CRS conferences in the history of the society. Participants were delighted by the quality of the work, and the mixture of different disciplinary approaches that together makes the discussion and atmosphere at CRS particularly special. This year, we were also very pleased to note a high attendance rate of practitioners, making up around 20 percent of attendees. The feedback we received indicates that the CRS conference continues to be a particularly good conference for PhDs to attend. The conference opened with a welcome from newly elected CRS Chair, Kristin M. Bakke, followed by a Keynote address by Roger Mac Ginty and a presentation of the PA-X Tracker by Tim Epple and Niamh Henry. As Chair, Kristin’s welcome emphasised the continued commitment of the CRS to interdisciplinary, different methodologies, and the links to policy and practice, as well as the warm, friendly and welcoming ethos of the CRS. Roger Mac Ginty’s keynote, titled “Peace Fragmentation: Maybe That’s a Good Thing,” offered provocative insights into how fragmentation within peace processes can present both challenges and opportunities for conflict resolution. Questions raised by this keynote were alluded to throughout the conference in later panels. In this slot, the PeaceRep team also launched the PA-X Tracker: Peace and Transition Process Tracker. With the mix of academics, practitioners and policymakers at the CRS, the conference offered a particularly good opportunity for launch of this innovative tool. The conference also continued to recognise outstanding contributions to the field. Imrana Alhaji Buba was awarded the Cedric Smith Prize for the best piece of research by a PhD candidate or someone having recently passed their PhD defense, for the paper, “Civilian Protection Payment and the Escalation of Violence against Civilians in Northwestern Nigeria.” The CRS Book of the Year Prize, which honours research that is contemporary, exceptional and world-leading, went to Peer Schouten for “Roadblock Politics: The Origins of Violence in Central Africa.” Despite an unfortunately timed fire alarm, attendees were happy to return to hear his outstanding keynote speech, which discussed how the use of roadblocks can explain much broader patterns of conflict and state building in Central Africa. This year, the CRS medal for outstanding contribution to the CRS was presented to former CRS Chair, Govinda Clayton. Although Govinda was not able to attend this year’s CRS, remarks by Kristin Bakke in presenting the CRS medal drew attention to the long history of dedication and commitment that Govinda has demonstrated to the CRS, and his role in transforming the CRS into a household name amongst peace and conflict scholars and practitioners in the UK, Europe, and beyond. Congratulations again to Govinda.
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Section D Achievements and performance
For the first time, PeaceRep-funded scholarships were also awarded to seven participants from countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). These scholarships, designed to foster global dialogue, diversity, and inclusivity, enabled scholars from underrepresented regions to attend and contribute to the conference. We were delighted to support the participation of these scholars and practitioners and welcomed the scholars with a lunch on Wednesday of the conference. Feedback from the scholars – for whom all disclosed this was their first visit to the UK – indicated that this opportunity was incredibly valuable in expanding their networks and that they were delighted to participate in world-leading discussions on peace and conflict research and practice at the CRS conference.
During the conference the CRS also conducted a council meeting. New Chair Kristin Bakke was warmly welcomed into her new role.
The council shared its deep gratitude to Hilary Adams, for her invaluable work as treasurer.
John Gledhill presented the membership report, which showed a record number of members.
Throughout the year the Council continued to meet online and discuss matters by email, and individual Council members and members of the Society participated in a wide range of activities which promote conflict research and practice; we heard a round-up of these activities in our Council meetings.
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Section E Financial review Brief statement of the The Society made a surplus in the current year of £2,465 which when charity’s policy on reserves added to the surplus brought forward of £47,383 leaves a balance to carry forward of £49,848. The Society holds £2,702.24 of restricted funds as the balance unspent of the PeaceRep ODA Scholarship grant for 2024. PeaceRep has agreed this amount can be rolled over to fund a PeaceRep ODA scholar at the 2025 CRS Conference.
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Details of any funds materially in deficit
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~~ELE~~ Further financial review details (Optional information) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about: • the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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• how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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• investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. ~~_~~
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Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration
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The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Prof. Kristin M. Bakke Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair etc)
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Date 25.03.25 TAR March 2012
| Charity Name | No (if any) | No (if any) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Research Society | 306136 | |||||||||
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | |||||||||
| For the period from |
For the period | Period start date 1.1.24 |
To | Period end date 31.12.24 |
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| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | ||||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||
| Conference fees | 29,749 | - | 29,749 | 28,125 | ||||||
| Membership | 1,566 | - | 1,566 | 1,406 | ||||||
| Grant | 20,000 | - | 20,000 | 2,210 | ||||||
| Interest | 886 | - | 886 | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| 32,201 Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
20,000 | - | 52,201 | 31,741 | ||||||
| - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 32,201 20,000 - 52,201 31,741 A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). ~~—————~~ |
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| A3 Payments | ||||||||||
| Awards &prizes | 347 | - | - | 347 | 356 | |||||
| Website | - | - | - | - | 288 | |||||
| Newsletter & admin | 1,690 | - | - | 1,690 | 1,300 | |||||
| Conference costs | 29,725 | 17,298 | - | 47,023 | 31,682 | |||||
| Bank &paypal charges | 676 | - | - | 676 | 726 | |||||
| - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total 32,438 | 17,298 | - | 49,736 | 34,352 | ||||||
| - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 32,438 17,298 - 49,736 34,352 A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) ~~—————~~ |
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| Net of receipts/(payments) - 237 2,702 - 2,465 - 2,611 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 47,383 - 47,383 49,994 Cash funds this year end 47,146 2,702 - 49,848 47,383 ~~===>=>~~ |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Lloyd bank Paypal Coop Bank Details Details Details Details Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 41,511 2,702 5,068 - 567 - 47,146 2,702 OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| Date of approval |
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of Confiict Research Society On accounts for the year131 December 2024 gnded Charlty no (If any) 306136 Sot out on pages I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Xhe Tru8t") for the year ended 3111212024. Responslbllities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come lo my attention (other than that disdosed below ') in connection with the examination which glves me cause to believe thal in, any material re8pect: accounling records were kepl in accordance wlth section 130 of the Act or the accounls do not accord with the acntIng record8 Independent examiner's Statement I have concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should b8 drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: O Name: Lu Li Date: 1610412025 Relevant professlonal j Fellow Chartered and Certified Accountant qualfficatlon(s) or body | lif any): Address: 23 Belsize Avenue, London, NVW3 48L IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounls: direclions and guidance for examiners). Glve h8r• brlof detalls of any ftems thatthe examlner wlshes to dlsclose. IER October 2018