Sudan is in a state of peaceful transformation. Following the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement in Niavasha, Kenya, in January 2005 and the formation of a national unity government, a new phase in the modern history of the country is gradually unfolding. The tasks of nation building and reconstruction have proved to be challenging missions in a country the size of Western Europe. The legacy of war and widespread destruction throughout the past decades posed a testing situation for international and local civil society organisations alike. Issues of rehabilitation, reconciliation, reintegration, repatriation and human rights are all crucial to the achievement of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.

The Centre for Society Studies (CSS) is a reputable research and academic institution, and a determinant initiative undertaken by a group of social scientists including women and youth to contribute to the alleviation of all manifestations of social injustice, poverty, conflicts, social unrest emphasizing human rights, welfare, dignity, peace and advancement of society and development. The CSS works independently and in collaboration with other NGOs to strengthen the capacity of civil actors in areas of poverty reduction, resettlement, human rights advocacy, gender equality and the promotion of peace culture.

As an independent operational research centre on the social landscape, the CSS was established in 2003 as distinguished civil society entity, registered with the Sudanese Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and has a wider membership of experts and roster of consultants.

The inspiration and vision for CSS came to establish real and sustained social stability at the local, national and regional levels. The post peace agreement stage requires  the coordination with relevant stakeholders to achieve maximum benefits. CSS is envisioned as a focal and policy venue to ensure the development, advancement and welfare of the nation.

The cornerstone for all CSS programmes is working with people to define and solve the problems faced by affected communities, through the utilization of a broad array of strategies to ensure self-sufficiency.

CSS aims at forming alliances and work closely with policy oriented institutions, international agencies and non-governmental organizations to create opportunities for people, especially the weak strata to live in a safe environment and healthy fulfilling lives.

Among the top priorities of the centre, the long-term engagement to foster and develop local self-sufficiency projects, adequate and prompt response to emergency situations, the undertaking of basic education initiatives and advocacy on aspects of social complexity.

The CSS attempts to combine scientific research work with practice in order to link research findings with policy making executive duties so as to achieve the mobilization of the society and rally its capabilities in order to respond to the negative social phenomena, and encourage the positive values that help to strengthen and improve the social fabric.
 

CSS Goals                                                                                       
 
Foster issues of peace building, human development, rural/community development, welfare gender, human rights.
 Responds to the needs of people and communities affected by war, and help their integration into the community.

Finds out solutions for the drawbacks of war, such as homelessness, displacement and poverty.

 Works to spread and maintain peace and unity among citizens through the contribution to conflict-prevention, human security, human rights, environmental security and post-conflict rehabilitation.

 Focuses on key elements that shape the social characteristics like indigenous culture, religion and traditional values.

 Mobilizes academia, civil networks, traditional authorities and the media to collectively maintain social coherence and dispel negative phenomena.

 Monitors and studies the process of social changes according to scientific methods.

 Emphasize interests and fostering weak strata specially; children, women, youth, and students.

 Institutionalize a self-help approach and practice among people to ensure healthy community development