Frequently Asked Questions

What does Libra Advisory Group do?

We work with donor and developing country governments, multinational organisations and civil society (including NGOs) to deliver security and justice sector reform in developing and post-conflict countries.

What is security and justice sector reform (SJSR)?

Security and justice sector reform aims to increase the professionalism, accountability, legitimacy, responsiveness, effectiveness and affordability of the police, judiciary, corrections services, military, security agencies and other elements of the security and justice sector. It aims to improve oversight of the sector by executive, judicial and parliamentary bodies as well as by civil society.

What are the ultimate goals of security and justice sector reform?

Reform aims to strengthen the rule of law, promote human rights, reduce abuses and increase democratisation by ensuring that security and justice agencies are properly governed, subject to democratic and legal control, and are responsive to the day-to-day needs of citizens.

Successful reform will:
• Increase citizens’ autonomy and security by reducing abuses by security and justice agencies and ensuring that security and justice is delivered responsively according to citizens’ needs
• Reduce poverty and underpin economic development and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by creating a stable, predictable political and economic environment governed by the effective implementation of the rule of law, and reducing inefficient government spending on the security and justice sector
• Reduce violent conflict by ensuring that security and justice agencies are responsive to the needs of all citizens and creating non-violent channels to resolve conflict over resources, power and representation

What are the theoretical and policy foundations for SJSR?

SJSR is a recognised discipline which has been widely debated in academia and government. It is accepted as a legitimate use of development funds by the OECD Development Assistance Committee. Key policy documents include the OECD-DAC Handbook on Security System Reform and the UK Department For International Development’s 2009 White Paper on Development. Summaries of the many academic studies of the field can be found at the University of Birmingham’s Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform and the Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces.

How does Libra Advisory Group contribute to the academic and policy debate?

Libra’s directors and staff have contributed to numerous policy documents and peer-reviewed academic papers on security and justice sector reform. A list can be found in the publications section of this website. Libra Directors Piet Biesheuvel and Peter Wilson contributed to the drafting of the OECD-DAC Guidelines on Security System Reform. We run regular academic events, including a recent series of seminars co-organised with King’s College, London and a forthcoming conference at Wilton Park, which attract a wide range of academics, civil society representatives and government officials from donor, developing and post-conflict countries. We are particularly interested in how reform programmes can be implemented in ways which increase the ability of citizens to influence the day-to-day behaviour of the security and justice sector, and have coined the term “security sector evolution” to describe this approach. This was introduced in the paper “Security Sector Evolution: Which Locals, Ownership of What?” for the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces Yearbook 2008.

Who are Libra’s clients?

We work for a wide range of donor and host governments, and multinational organisations and NGOs, including the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development; The Netherlands Government; and the World Bank. We facilitate the UK Government’s official SJSR Practitioners Course, on behalf of the Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform.

Who does Libra cooperate with?

We work with major development consultancies including Coffey International and ATOS Origin. We have contributed to research and implementation work of a number of academic departments and non-governmental organisations including Saferworld; the University of Birmingham’s Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform; King’s College London; the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces; and the Centre for International Governance Innovation

Is Libra a private security company (PSC)?

No. We do not provide training or personnel for military, paramilitary or guarding operations. None of our directors, staff or associates carry firearms or provide direction for armed operations. Our work is focused on management and oversight structures to improve accountability, professionalism and affordability, in accordance with the OECD-DAC Handbook for Security System Reform.

What is Libra’s position on human rights and ethics?

Our work is dedicated to helping Governments and multinational organisations increase accountability, oversight and adherence to human rights and the rule of law, in line with international human rights conventions. Our network of associates includes experts on human rights, as well as international lawyers, anti-corruption experts and former judges. Libra unreservedly condemns torture or inhuman or degrading treatment for any purpose and our work is often concerned with encouraging security and justice institutions to meet their international obligations.

Latest News

Reframing Security Sector Reform for Counterinsurgency – Getting the Politics Right

Operationalising the Comprehensive Approach

Security Sector Evolution: Understanding & Influencing How Security Sector Institutions Change