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Cornwallis XV: Analysis For The Future of Afghanistan
In Cooperation with the Center for Complex Operations, National Defense University Washington, DC

28 March â 1 April 2010

Initial Call for Papers and Participation
The Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Cornwallis Group will be held in cooperation with the Center For Complex Operations (http://www.ccoportal.org), Center for Technology and National Security Policy, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. The theme this year is Analysis For The Future of Afghanistan. Given that this is the 15th year of the workshop, we are taking an excursion and changing the program to reflect the critical need for this analysis. For the last fourteen years the Cornwallis Group has been studying various aspects of the interface between the military and civilian actors in Peace and Stability interventions. From Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina of the early 90âs through to the current complex operations in the Sudan, Congo, and Middle East not to mention the coalition and NATO operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. These operations are different from those that had previously been studied in that they rely on the local societyâs consent and assistance more than the purely combat operations envisioned during the cold war. U.S. and NATO military doctrine are reacting to this need to interact with the people in an area in an ever increasing way. The current US, UN and NATO operations in Afghanistan are on the cusp â this is the focus of our governments, and therefore we propose that Afghanistan be the focus of this coming workshop. We have chosen the wording of the theme for this workshop with care. We are looking at the future of the country, not simply the current status of security and nation building. Papers for this workshop should look at how the complex of current activities and international interventions can blend with the activities of the government and society of Afghanistan in all the interlocking military and civilian domains of Social Well Being, Security, Governance, Rule of Law and Economic/Infrastructure Development. This is the Cornwallis workshop â so we are looking for analytic approaches to understanding as well as to operational descriptions of the issues. We are especially interested in papers submitted by Afghans and experienced multi-agency operators that discuss the interaction of the externally supported activities with the internal goals of the country of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the Cornwallis Group cannot subsidize travel or expenses.

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Because of the larger than normal attendance anticipated at Cornwallis XV, we are planning multiple tracks during the workshop. Currently the program will have plenary sessions in the mornings with four concurrent break-out tracks in the afternoons. The topics of each of these multi-disciplinary tracks are: 1) 2) 3) 4) Data for analysis Population/Societal needs assessment Theories of change (doctrines, frameworks, â¦) Multi-agency modeling and simulation

This change will continue to allow for the full hour per presentation that is the hallmark of the Cornwallis Group workshops. This year, papers and presentation should be releasable to be published on TheCornwallisGroup.org web site directly. We are no longer publishing printed proceedings but are making the proceedings directly available to those who might find them of use (http://www.thecornwallisgroup.org/workshops.php) Requests for participation and abstracts of papers for the theme of Cornwallis XV should be sent NO LATER THAN 15 February 2010 by e-mail to: Ted Woodcock (aerw@gmu.edu), Tony Hopkin (hopkinantony@mod.uk), Dave Davis (ddavis@gmu.edu); or to other members of the Program Committee: Larry Wentz (lwentz@verizon.net), Anders Christensson (sac@fhs.se), Paul Chouinard (Paul.Chouinard@drdc-rddc.gc.ca), Gene Visco (genevisco@embarqmail.com) and Karl Bertche (karl.bertsche@eads.com) or to the Cornwallis Administrator Ms Heidi Davis (hdavis@cdpeace.com). Papers and proposals may also be sent to the Center for Complex Operations at supportcenter@ccoportal.org. Papers should identify the preferred track for presentation. The Cornwallis Group is a self funding organization currently supported administratively by George Mason University. Registration costs to cover the Groupâs expenses will be collected on a sliding scale depending on the number of sessions attended. Full registration for Cornwallis XV will be $500 which will include refreshments and lunches Monday â Thursday, Meet and Greet Reception Sunday evening and the Workshop Banquet Wednesday evening. A small number of rooms have been blocked at the Channel Inn on the Washington Water Front. Since this is also the first week of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, individuals should make direct reservations with the hotel asking for the Cornwallis Group rates. The hotel may be contacted at http://www.channelinn.com. This year the Cornwallis Group will continue two programs initiated at Cornwallis XII: The identification of Cornwallis Fellows and of a Best Paper. The criteria for Cornwallis Fellows are listed below (further guidance can be found by reviewing the Cornwallis Charter, herewith attached), and nominations continue to be solicited. Please make your nominations to a member of the committee listed above. The award for Cornwallis Fellows includes the waiving of registration fees for the workshop of the award and the

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following three consecutive workshops. The Best Paper award includes the reimbursement of the registration fee for the workshop of the award. Criteria for Cornwallis Fellows: ï· ï· ï· ï· May not be a current member of the Cornwallis Group program committee. Achievements at an exceptionally high level over an extended period of time; Performance under difficult circumstances and in a manner that constitutes a contribution of significant merit to the vision, values and mission of the Cornwallis Group; Enhancement of the image and substance of analysis dealing with or related to improving the conditions of international peace and stability as a unique scientific discipline and as a means for providing technically sound alternatives to decision makers.

A draft program and on-line registration for Cornwallis XV will be found at the Cornwallis Web Site: http://www.TheCornwallisGroup.org

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Cornwallis Group Charter
Background The Cornwallis Group is the product of the 1990s. A small gathering of analysts expressed concern with the ability of operations analysis and related fields to respond to the worldâs needs with the restructuring of the world into a multi-polar one. The change that occurred with the collapse of the Soviet Union as a super power during the bi-polar time raised new questions for military, economic, political, and social sectors of nations. New or revised threats to world peace and stability became of increasing importance. There came to be a consensus among the small gathering that there was a need for new approaches or at least significant changes to the analytic processes, tools, and thinking about complex problems related to obtaining and maintaining peace and stability in the world. A prevalent view among the gathering was that, at a minimum, the traditional opportunities for introducing new approaches and defining the new array of problems potentially susceptible to analytic processes were inadequate. Particular reference was made to traditional symposia and workshopsâconventional platforms for analysts to exchange ideas, introduce approaches, and generally learn from one anotherâwere not designed to adequately respond to the new problems. Of special concern was the overcrowding of workshops and symposia with presenters, severely limiting the opportunities for full and comprehensive exchanges of knowledge. The small group of analysts decided to experiment with a symposium format that would allow for extended time for a limited number of researchers, analysts, and users of analysis to present their views and introduce new problems and new approaches to solutions. Thus was born, in 1996, what became known as the Cornwallis Group. Mission The Cornwallis Group sees itself as a vehicle for excellence in analysis through discussion, outreach and publication. It also sees itself as a bridge between national military agencies, other governmental departments, international and non-governmental organizations who often work together on the ground but seldom meet in a reflective environment to discuss issues of common concern. The Cornwallis Group intends to reach out to those organizations which do not usually participate in military conferences and symposia, to engage with them in establishing a common understanding of the wider constraints under which we are attempting to deal with new operational challenges.

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Statement of Principles The Cornwallis Group is established as a forum for the exchange of analytic techniques and processes, not limited to models, dealing with or related to improving the conditions for international peace and stability. The Cornwallis Group is open to all who would like to participate in its deliberations. Participants from any and all nations are welcomed into the Cornwallis Group. The primary activity of the Cornwallis Group is the conduct of symposia and workshops, including publications, dealing with problems and issues related to improving the conditions for, and contributing to, the establishment and maintenance of, international peace and stability. Following the feature that was key to the founding of the Cornwallis Group, symposia of the Cornwallis Group will always be designed to permit each accepted speaker a minimum of one hour of floor time, to include adequate time for discussion and questions from the audience. While there may be themes established for symposia of the Cornwallis Group, there will always be opportunities for presentations that cover issues outside the themes. This principle will contribute to the richness of discussions of the Cornwallis Group. The Cornwallis Group will keep its administrative structure to the barest minimum possible and will continue to emphasize that it is created only to provide a platform and opportunities for the comprehensive exposure of new ideas, new problems, and new techniques to contribute to international peace and stability. Explanatory Note To stave off discomfort among our US members and participants, we point out that the Cornwallis Group takes its name from Cornwallis Park, Nova Scotia, home to the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. The Centre was the venue for the Cornwallis Group meetings until 2003. By that point, the name had become well known. It now serves as a reminder of the origins of the endeavor. Cornwallis Park, in turn, is named for Colonel Edward Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia in the mid-18th century; Edward was uncle to Charles Cornwallis, the general who surrendered the British Army to George Washington, at Yorktown in 1781.

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Cornwallis XV: Analysis for the Future of Afghanistan

CCO - Center for Complex Operations - Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC 20319

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