The Belgian COI unit CEDOCA published the Methodology for its COI products.

In the 2nd post of our methods series, we continue to explore the role of civilians in conflict data, focusing on the insights provided by UCDP and ACLED datasets. By examining variables such as “civilian targeting”, “deaths_civilians” and the event type of “violence against civilians”, we delve into the complexities of how to responsibly interpret and apply such variables when analysing the impact of conflict on civilians.

In February 2024, ACLED, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project – one of the most widely used conflict data providers in the field of COI – introduced ‘conflict exposure’ as a new measure.

ACCORD will publish a revised edition of the training manual “Researching Country of Origin Information”, updating the 2013 edition. Register for its online launch event on 14 March.

The "Blog Asyl" published an article by ACCORD on the role of country of origin information in international protection procedures.

The ACCORD training manual “Researching Country of Origin Information” is now available in Korean. It was translated by UNHCR Korea.

Femke Vogelaar's summary of the dissertation she published in December 2020.

The Dutch Advisory Committee on Migration Affairs in July released an extensive report with recommendations on the use of COI. For the reports, current practices in Austria, Poland and the UK have been examined along with the Netherlands'.

An article in the International Journal of Refugee Law discusses standards regarding the use of COI in UK Upper Tribunal country guidance cases.

Sharon Rusu, former head of the IRB's Documentation Centre, was invited to speak at the joint EASO-ACCORD conference on COI methodology, but unfortunately had to cancel participation. With her kind permission, we're publishing the notes for the opening remarks she prepared. In them, Ms. Rusu gives insights into the early days of COI research and the development of quality standards.