1. Goal

The Centre’s primary goal is to build local capacity and work towards establishing long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

It engages in three core activities: research, education and capacity building.

2. Function
In order to achieve the above goal, the Centre engages in:

a. Research and Policy Analysis

CAPS’ core focus is research and analysis of security issues--with strong emphasis on Afghanistan and the region. CAPS’ niche is its ability to share local and on the ground perspectives and research analysis which it disseminates to government officials, members of the international community and other stakeholders, through regular briefings and reporting.

The research objective of the centre is to analyse the current local and regional conflict, and recommend specific actions to reduce conflict, politically motivated violence and other security threats including those associated with the narcotics industry. The CAPS research team, with the assistance of international scholars and practitioners, works to formulate, advise and continuously recommend strategies that contribute to better governance and state building.

b. Education/training

The primary function of the education and training offered by CAPS is to build capacity, and educate and help develop skills and expertise of those who are engaged in, or study, Afghanistan and the region. The Centre organises regular conferences, workshops, seminars and briefings with internationally and regionally recognised experts. Supported by world class practitioners, the Centre offers training courses on Afghan and regional history, culture, warfare and insurgency. The Centre’s specialists have also developed a curriculum to conduct foundation level, and specialised advanced courses for diplomats, civil servants and military personnel.

c. Capacity Building and Knowledge Expansion

Training Programmes
CAPS’ training programme serves to train, educate and equip Afghan and foreign nationals with the skills and expertise necessary to tackle security and development challenges in Afghanistan.

Knowledge Sharing
Briefings and seminars organised by CAPS function to engage various actors on social, cultural and political developments specific to the region.

CAPS co-hosts meetings with foreign research institutes and receives visitors who offer their expert advice CAPS provides a forum in which experts and local Afghans are able to share advice opinions with government officials and foreign diplomats to improve the overall understanding of the situation in Afghanistan.

Knowledge Exchanges                                    
CAPS understands that knowledge exchange is crucial for the development of expertise and detailed understanding of a subject. To facilitate exchanges, CAPS offers fellowships to international researchers so they can benefit from the unique learning environment offered by CAPS and its staff, as well as contribute to the Center’s activities.

Visiting research fellows work alongside local staff to contribute to research in a range of areas with the overarching aim of strengthening state building efforts in Afghanistan. Each year CAPS offers three one-month fellowships. To date visiting fellows have included nationals from France, the United States, United Kingdom and Singapore.