Higher Education Solutions Network – Bi-Annual Report (FY 2015)

The network aims to address complex development challenges in fragile and conflict-affected countries. In the first half of fiscal year 2015, ConDev staff and researchers continued to expand their presence at Texas A&M University, HESN universities, and USAID Missions. ConDev has focused on four high-priority subjects: food security, natural resource management, youth, and local institutions. Research initiatives include community-led land rights adjudication and registry using GPS technologies, conflict-resistant food systems, and local organizations mitigating conflict and raising local voices among national elites. Student engagement activities have also flourished, with capstone courses, internships, and student competitions providing experiential learning opportunities for over 100 students. The Congo Peace Center, established by ConDev, has contributed to the growth of the AgriCorps program in Ghana, implementing seven agriculturalists to develop 4-H programs and agricultural education. ConDev has also supported two capstone courses for graduate students to study Benin and Ghana, with five students traveling to Benin for data collection. The Strategic Analytics Lab at ConDev has shown success in studies on school violence in Ghana, South Africa, and Botswana, as well as econometric analysis of food security drivers in Nepal. ConDev has maintained a strong presence at HESN's TechCon in November 2014, with 14 students and staff in attendance. Staff participated in roundtables and lectures, and five students presented research at the Innovation Marketplace. Through this opportunity, ConDev staff networked with fellow HESN labs, met with HESN leadership, and interacted with USAID Missions. ConDev's nimble structure and ability to respond swiftly to requests have served as an advantage in entering new discussions with potential partners. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ConDev has strengthened projects stemming from the Congo Peace Center, including completing surveys from the Best Practices in Coffee and Cocoa research study, beginning construction on a trade facility on the Rwanda-DRC border, and finalizing the construction of an administrative building. Additional works in progress within the DRC include joint research between ConDev and the Catholic University of Graben, a Congo Peace Center peace facilitation strategy, and evaluation programs within the Virunga National Park. ConDev has also expanded its focus on Latin American projects, including developing food security and conflict projects in El Salvador and Guatemala and biodiversity in Peru. The Strategic Analytics Lab at ConDev has conducted studies on school violence in Ghana, South Africa, and Botswana, as well as econometric analysis of food security drivers using geo-coded, village-level Nepalese data. ConDev has also begun a beneficial working relationship with the USAID/Nepal Mission, allowing for research opportunities. Overall, ConDev has made significant progress in the first half of fiscal year 2015, expanding its presence, strengthening projects, and engaging in research initiatives. The network's nimble structure and ability to respond swiftly to requests have served as an advantage in entering new discussions with potential partners.