Center for International Stabilization and Recovery - CISR

07/09/2026

CISR wishes to congratulate the Regional Explosives Hazard Training Center in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on earning certification for ISO 9001. This success is a milestone achievement following 2 years of a joint effort among the REHTC, the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at James Madison University, and the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe’s Integrated Co-operation on Explosive Hazards program, made possible with funding from the US Department of State. 🇺🇸 🇹🇯

The CISR team, working with our esteemed colleagues from JMU’s College of Business, Fenix Insight, and local partner Insod Consulting, provided mentorship and training to administrators, staff, and instructors focused on strengthening REHTC’s long-term sustainability as a Tajikistan-owned and operated regional training Center of Excellence. Here we share some photos depicting the journey to this point – with various meetings, workshops, trainings, in-person visits, and mentorship sessions, culminating in the presentation of the ISO 9001 certificate.
Thank you to our partners, the Tajikistan Ministry of Defense, the OSCE’s Integrated Co-operation on Explosive Hazards program, JMU’s College of Business, Fenix Insight, Ltd., and Insod Consulting, and congratulations to the REHTC staff on this important milestone!

All photos c/o JMU/CISR unless otherwise noted

Fenix Insight Ltd U.S. Department of State JMU College of Business U.S. EMBASSY, DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

07/04/2026

This holiday weekend, start a tradition of "Giving Fourth"! If you'd like to make a donation to CISR, please visit our giving page: https://give.jmu.edu/campaigns/50710/donations/new?designation=a2HPd000000NVrbMAG.
Giving 4th is a new national movement to establish July 4th as a day to give back to our communities and causes that matter to us. Learn more at https://america250.org/giving4th/.

06/28/2026

CISR was recently in Washington, DC, with our War Legacies Working Group colleagues for 2 events celebrating 10 years of the U.S.-Laos Comprehensive Partnership. Both events highlighted this important bilateral relationship and collaboration, including efforts to address war legacy issues. Thank you to the Stimson Center and CSIS for hosting!

06/12/2026

We are excited to share this newly published article, co-authored by CISR Assistant Director Nicole Neitzey: “Reimaging Information Architecture: Community-centered and Collaborative Digital Infrastructure in Refugee Service Ecosystems.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8755461526000332?dgcid=coauthor
The article showcases outcomes from a collaborative project featuring several universities across the Commonwealth of Virginia, with funding from the state’s 4-VA grant fund. This project highlights important issues about barriers to access for those who are newly resettled in Virginia and how centralized digital infrastructure can help bridge the gaps between services and recipients.

JMU Research, Economic Development and Innovation JMU Computer Science Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies CWS Harrisonburg

05/15/2026

CISR staff were excited to be on Capitol Hill recently alongside JMU’s Director of Federal Relations to talk about our mine action work with several members of the Virginia delegation, including staffers from the offices of Representative Don Beyer, Representative James Walkinshaw, Representative Ben Cline, and Senator Tim Kaine. In the evening, CISR attended an event hosted by the bipartisan Congressional UXO/Demining Caucus in celebration of Mine Awareness Day.

(Photos courtesy of JMU Office of Federal Relations and The HALO Trust USA)

04/24/2026

It's been an honor to attend and participate in the 29th NDM this past week, and a joy to reconnect with graduates of CISR's Senior Managers' Courses.

04/22/2026

Dr. Christie Kilby is representing James Madison University and CISR at the International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and United Nations Advisers this week. If you are attending, be sure to say hello!

04/16/2026

We are pleased to announce the partnership between James Madison University’s Center for International Stabilization and Recovery and PCM MAT Kosovo to design and deliver certified mine action and EOD management programs.

This unique partnership combines CISR’s thirty-year record in post-conflict management training and leadership and policy development with PCM MAT Kosovo’s leading IMAS-compliant and internationally accredited EOD and mine action training center—integrating managerial, technical, and field-based training expertise for humanitarian professionals worldwide, helping the most vulnerable communities for years to come.

Click the link below to read the joint media release: https://www.pcm-erw.com/news/2026/pcm-jmu-cisr-mine-action-partnership/

04/13/2026

Join JMU's CISR and the JMU School of Strategic Leadership Studies for the event, "Leading the Fight Against Human Trafficking at Home and Abroad."

Tuesday, April 14 from 4:00–5:00pm
JMU Holland Yates Hall, Room 1001

04/11/2026

Please join us next week for this informative event.

Leading the Fight Against Human Trafficking: At Home and Abroad

Thursday, April 14 @ 4-5:30pm
Holland Yates 1001

Please join us to learn about efforts to combat human trafficking at the global, national, and local levels.

This event is sponsored by the JMU School of Strategic Leadership Studies and the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery - CISR, in partnership with the JMU Department of Political Science, JMU's Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue, JMU School of Communication Studies, the Master of Public Administration Program, and JMU MA in Communication and Advocacy.