LINKS stands for 'London Information Network on Conflicts and State-building'.
LINKS was established in London in June 1997 by a group of initiators who had in the previous decade been involved in different capacities in the exciting processes of change that took place in East and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union , at the end of the Cold War.
LINKS is a British non governmental organisation working for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and in support of democracy and sustainable development in societies in transition, through dialogue and innovative initiatives. LINKS supports the idea of an expanded and inclusive European Union, and engages with countries with aspiration for membership. LINKS promotes dialogue between Europe and the Islamic world based on mutual respect.
LINKS aims to contribute to thinking and analysis on contemporary issues in its area of work through research, dissemination of information and action oriented projects.
Since its establishment in 1997 LINKS has worked in partnership with a wide range of partners including governments, parliaments, civil society organisations, the business community and the media through projects funded by the UK Government Global Conflict Prevention Pool, UK Government Global Opportunities Fund, the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, the European Commission, the UK Community Fund, and the Governments of Sweden and The Netherlands.
LINKS are currently engaged in a number of ongoing projects and also developing into some new areas. LINKS continues to facilitate the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative and is working with the Turkish Parliament on Turkey’s EU Accession Process and with the Parliament of Azerbaijan on capacity building.
LINKS continues to work with other NGOs in our target countries and has been involved recently in projects that included seminars on the European Neighbourhood Policy in Armenia, policy seminars in Azerbaijan and work on a project between the Parliaments of Georgia and Latvia aimed at enhancing the role of the Georgian Parliament in the process of EU harmonisation.
The South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative (SCPI) is a framework for dialogue, exchange of views and joint analysis between the Parliaments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, established on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the three Parliaments in Tbilisi on 13 May 2003. More details on SCPI can be found on this website in 'Our Work' or on the SCPI web page, www.southcaucasus.eu
LINKS is grateful to those institutions that have contributed to our funding in the period 2005/6, namely
To find out more about LINKS’ projects and reports please contact the London office.
LINKS has an office in London and representatives in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.
The Council of LINKS:
Craig Allardice, Marie Bennigsen, Dr Laurence Broers*, Julian Broxup, Bruce Clark, Professor John Darby, Dame Audrey Glover DBE CMG (Chairperson), Duncan Hamilton, Zviad Mukbaniani, Stephen Nash CMG, Angus Robertson MP, Dennis Sammut* (Executive Director), John Shields, George Simonishvili*, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, Catherine Smith (Programmes Coordinator), Andrew Wilson.
* Also Board Member
