About the ISS
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) partners to build knowledge and skills that secure Africa’s future. Our goal is to enhance human security as a means to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity.
The ISS is an African non-profit organisation with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Senegal. Jakkie Cilliers is the founder of the Institute and, until 2015, served as the executive director of the Institute. He stepped down in 2015 and now chairs the ISS Board of Trustees and as full-time head of the ISS Program on African Futures & Innovation (AFI).
With staff from more than 20 African countries our work covers conflict, peace and governance; crime and justice; maritime security; migration; peace operations and peace-building; transnational threats and international crime; and the future of Africa.
Using its networks and influence, the ISS provides timely and credible analysis, practical training and technical assistance to governments and civil society. This promotes better policy and practice, helping senior officials make informed decisions about how to deal with Africa’s human security challenges.
The ISS is able to achieve impact because:
We are African. ISS is invested in and committed to the continent. We are sensitive to the African context and responsive to Africa’s needs and complexities.
Our approach is collaborative. We partner with those who can improve policy and practice. By providing practical support, these partnerships enable the ISS to bring about lasting change.
We build trust with governments and civil society by being credible, independent and committed to the best interests of Africa.
We harness our networks in Africa and globally to build connections and influence debates and decisions in a constructive way.
Our authoritative and relevant research responds to African priorities and informs policy and practice. Research and analysis underpins the training and technical support that ISS provides