RSSAll Articles
Preface & Introduction
| Author | Title / Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
John Paul Lederach 
|
2011 07 2011 | |
| Beatrix Austin
|
2011 07 2011 | |
| Martina Fischer & Norbert Ropers |
Preface |
2004 08 2004 |
| Martina Fischer & Norbert Ropers |
Introduction |
2004 08 2004 |
Section I: Concepts and Cross-Cutting Challenges
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diana Francis
|
New Thoughts on Power: Closing the Gap between Theory and Action
Contrasts two familiar models of power: domination and cooperation. Arguing that the dominant concept of “power over” has given rise to a damaging global culture of militarism which blurs the line between pacification and peace, the author sketches a thought-provoking vision of how choosing instead to pursue “power with” could bring about a major paradigm shift. Drawing on real-life examples, she champions nonviolent assertiveness and asks: how much could “people power” achieve if it were taken as seriously as war now is?
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2011 10 2011 | ||||
| Cilja Harders
|
Gender Relations, Violence and Conflict Transformation
Makes the case for taking gendered views of conflict, violence, war and peace as a basic prerequisite of conflict transformation. In examining the relation between masculinities, femininities and violence, as well as the links between structure and agency, the author highlights the dangers of assuming ‘natural’ gender behaviour. She stresses the need for women and men to be able to live a plurality of roles and identities. She also outlines ways in which conflict transformation could be improved by fully integrating gender issues into its analysis.
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2011 09 2011 | ||||
| Louis Kriesberg
|
The State of the Art in Conflict Transformation
Points to key concepts from the emergent field of conflict transformation, showing how its ideas and approaches are increasingly being brought into the mainstream. While acknowledging these achievements, the author also cautions that they are sometimes applied inappropriately and highlights the need for further improving the research, coordination and general awareness of conflict transformation options.
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2011 09 2011 | ||||
| Christopher R. Mitchell
|
Conflict, Change and Conflict Resolution
Sets out a framework for thinking systematically about the relationship between conflict and social change. The author considers the changes necessary to bring about the resolution of conflict, as well as obstacles to such changes, and envisions possible roles for agents of change. (updated for the 2011 print edition)
|
2011 08 2011 | ||||
| Martina Fischer
|
Civil Society in Conflict Transformation: Strength and Limitations
Focuses on the potential contribution that civil society actors can make to peacebuilding. Central questions are: what types of activities do NGOs undertake? What problems and dilemmas are faced in the development of civil society in war-torn societies? Taking the example of Bosnia-Herzegovina, what are the limitations of civil society's contributions, and how does civil society relate to state-building? And, finally, how do these considerations impact on theoretical conceptualisations of the term "civil society"? (updated and revised for the 2011 print edition)
Older version (available in hard copy): Civil Society in Conflict Transformation: Ambivalence, Potentials and Challenges (2006) |
2011 07 2011 | ||||
| Volker Boege
|
Potential and Limits of Traditional Approaches in Peacebuilding
Explores the role of traditional or customary methods in transforming violent conflicts, assessing both strengths and weaknesses. The author embeds his discussion in the debate about failing/weak states, globalisation and the relationship between the global North and South, putting forth the concept of ‘hybrid political orders’. Drawing on the prime example of Bougainville, he is able to characterize “one of the rare success stories of peacebuilding in today’s world”. (updated and revised for 2011 print edition)
|
2011 06 2011 | ||||
| Norbert Ropers
|
A Systemic Approach: Reflections on Sri Lanka
Demonstrates the potential of systemic conflict transformation tools as applied to the civil war and peace process in Sri Lanka, based on dialogue and capacity building work carried out from 2001-2008. Taking on board the complexity, dynamism and non-linear development paths of protracted conflict systems, the author offers some insightful ways to help mobilise the “internal resources” inherent to a system as a means of solving problems and to re-conceptualise peace as a learning process. (updated for 2011 print edition; a longer version was first published in Dialogue Series No 6)
|
2011 06 2011 | ||||
| Cordula Reimann |
Assessing the State-of-the-Art in Conflict Transformation
Offers a general overview and tentative interpretation of the state of the art in the field. The author introduces three distinct approaches: conflict settlement, conflict resolution and conflict transformation. She reviews the field's research agenda and research questions, and the role of theory and methodology. (revised for 2004 print edition)
Available translations:Sinhala / සිංහලTamil / தமிழ் Russian / РУССКИЙ Turkish / Türkçe Spanish / Español |
2004 08 2004 | ||||
| Hugh Miall |
Conflict Transformation: A Multi-Dimensional Task
Identifies key theorists and modes of practice. The author attempts to distinguish these from the theories and practices of conflict resolution and conflict management, arguing that conflict transformation draws heavily on these earlier traditions. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||||
| Diana Francis |
Culture, Power Asymmetries and Gender in Conflict Transformation
Highlights conflict transformation approaches as necessarily having to deal with the closely linked categories of power asymmetries, gender inequality and cultural difference. The author argues that an overarching, global culture of domination exists. The emancipation of marginalised groups stimulates, and results from, the fundamental culture shift which conflict transformation implies. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||||
| Dieter Senghaas |
The Civilisation of Conflict: Constructive Pacifism as a Guiding Notion for Conflict Transformation
Discusses theoretical questions concerning the civilised management of conflicts. The author proposes that, if civil or international war is a result of anarchy, then it only can be addressed by a social order built at national, regional and international levels. The author presents a model of complex peace architecture, i.e. the "civilisational hexagon". (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 01 2004 | ||||
Section II: Analysing Conflict and Assessing Conflict Transformation
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church
|
Evaluating Peacebuilding: Not Yet All It Could Be
Assesses the quality of peacebuilding evaluation work being undertaken in a rapidly professionalizing field. The author gives several examples of good and bad practice and suggests that current evaluation practice is failing to foster accountability and learning quite as well as it could. She explores reasons why evaluation may fall short of established quality standards or stray from its explicitly stated purpose, offering recommendations for improvement to researchers, practitioners and donors alike.
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2011 10 2011 | ||
| Reina C. Neufeldt
|
“Frameworkers” and “Circlers” – Exploring Assumptions in Impact Assessment
Unpacks some of the hidden hypotheses underlying current assessment methodologies. The author argues that two (ideal type) constituencies interact – and sometimes clash – in development and peacebuilding work. She sets out to clarify their contending perspectives and illustrates ways in which both approaches can enrich each other and further the ultimate task of achieving effective impact monitoring and evaluation. (updated and revised for 2011 print edition)
Older version: "Frameworkers" and "Circlers" – Exploring Assumptions in Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (2007) |
2011 10 2011 | ||
| Tara Cooper, Sebastian Merz & Mila Shah
|
A More Violent World? Global Trends in Organised Violence
Presents robust quantitative data challenging the widespread notion that worldwide trends in violent conflict are increasing. This reflects changes in the nature of warfare, but also points to some possible successful outcomes of recent peacebuilding work. The analysis, conducted as part of the Human Security Report Project, extends beyond state-based conflicts to also cover non-state actors involved in conflict and assaults that target civilians.
|
2011 09 2011 | ||
| Dan Smith |
Trends and Causes of Armed Conflict
Gives an overview of current findings on causes of armed conflict, identifying injustice and mobilisation as key concepts. The author shares insights on where to look for signs of potential escalation, where to seek and how to utilise opportunities for preventing violent escalation. (revised for 2004 print edition)
Available translations:Sinhala / සිංහලTamil / தமிழ் Russian / РУССКИЙ Turkish / Türkçe Spanish / Español |
2004 08 2004 | ||
| Alex Austin |
Early Warning and The Field: A Cargo Cult Science?
Introduces early warning activities and identifies different areas of focus, methodologies and mechanisms employed. The author discusses critically whether existing early warning systems can: a) identify the causes of conflict; b) predict the outbreak of conflict; and c) mitigate conflict. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 07 2004 | ||
| Thania Paffenholz |
Designing Transformation and Intervention Processes
Outlines concepts for designing and assessing intervention strategies, building on personal practice experience. The author addresses ten issues: vision, goals and commitment; analysis of conflicts and actors; strategies and roles; partners and entry points; timing and exit; processes and structures; staffing criteria; coordination and cooperation; sustainability; institutional learning. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 06 2004 | ||
| Mark Hoffman |
Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment Methodology
Reviews the state of the art in evaluation, focusing on peace and conflict impact assessment (PCIA) methodology from three perspectives: traditional donor evaluations; assessment methodologies in development work; evaluations of conflict resolution and peacebuilding NGOs. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 05 2004 | ||
| Mary B. Anderson |
Experiences with Impact Assessment: Can We Know What Good We Do?
Considers how international agencies providing humanitarian assistance, development aid and/or support to peace processes can understand what their impacts are. The article builds on a collaborative learning project and identifies two major challenges: 1) selecting criteria or indicators for assessing progress; and 2) determining who or what particular outcomes can be attributed to. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 04 2004 |
Section III: Third-Party Tools and Capacity Building
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Reich |
The Art of Seeing: Investigating and Transforming Conflicts with Interactive Theatre
In this article, Hannah Reich discusses the issues of uncertainty that remains central in post-war situations even though direct physical threats from through warring factions have been successfully brought to an end. Furthermore, the legacy of the war has to be dealt with. This legacy usually includes a society that is divided into different factions that have hardly any constructive relationships with each other and that lacks a ‘conflict culture’, which allows expressing, altering and transforming the different narrations of the past, the dissimilar perceptions of the present and the unalike visions of the future. This article, on the one hand, seeks to contribute to the debate on how culture can contribute to peacebuilding, by presenting an interactive theatrical group work and performance method called Forum Theatre as a possible format for intervention designed for post-war peacebuilding. This is due to its capacities to function as a tool for relationship-building between the formerly conflicting parties by 1) investigating the relationship, the differences, the attitudes, stereotypes and the forms of interaction, and by 2) building relationships through the process of participation in a joint project together. This twofold functionality explains why the traditional method of Forum Theatre has to be slightly altered and specified in order to accomplish the demands of constructive post-war peacebuilding. On the other hand, this article aims at taking the question about the particularities of the spaces we insert into conflict systems further by displaying the characteristics of the so called aesthetic space of interactive theatre, which might be useful for practitioners who unfold non-theatrical spaces for conflict transformation.
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2012 12 2012 | ||
| Hans J. Giessmann & Oliver Wils
|
Seeking Compromise? Mediation through the Eyes of Conflict Parties
Adopts an empathetic view on mediation from the perspective of conflict parties who may or may not choose to engage in it. Addressing five crucial questions - why, when, where and from whom third-party mediation might be sought, and what results are expected of it - the authors draw up recommendations for those trying to offer or support mediation processes. They put special emphasis on the role of insider mediators and the need for multi-partiality.
|
2011 09 2011 | ||
| Ron Fisher
|
Methods of Third-Party Intervention
Reviews various forms of third-party intervention (e.g. conciliation, consultation, mediation, power mediation, arbitration and peacekeeping), focusing on mediation. Using a basic contingency model, the author outlines which third-party role may be most successful in which context. Critical issues are introduced, including: culture, power asymmetries, biases, timing, effectiveness, coordination and the ethics of intervention. (updated and revised for 2011 print edition)
|
2011 09 2011 | ||
| Véronique Dudouet
|
Nonviolent Resistance in Power Asymmetries
Explores the context and conditions in which nonviolent resistance can contribute to successful and sustainable conflict transformation processes. The author introduces the concept, aims and methods of nonviolent action and explores conceptual and empirical developments throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. She illustrates its potential and limits, both in transforming asymmetric power structures and in encouraging democratic practices, using the example of the Palestinian first intifada in the Israeli/Palestinian struggle. (updated and revised for 2011 print edition)
|
2011 08 2011 | ||
| Nenad Vukosavljevic
|
Preparing for Nonviolence - Experiences in the Western Balkans
Reflects on experiences and lessons learned from an insider activist’s and practitioner’s point of view. The author looks back at over a decade of training practice at the Centre for Nonviolent Action (CNA) in the Western Balkans, offering provocative thoughts on goals and methods, trainer-participant relations and dilemmas such as sustaining momentum, the risk of individual burn-out and the hope for achieving social change. (updated for the 2011 print edition)
Older version: Training for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation. Experiences of the "Centre for Nonviolent Action" in the Western Balkans (2007) |
2011 08 2011 | ||
| Beatrix Austin
|
Training for Conflict Transformation - An Overview of Approaches
Seeks to provide a first orientation for an audience less familiar with the field of conflict transformation and its educational possibilities. Questions raised include: who is offering training for which target audience? What are strengths and shortcomings? Are there criteria that help assess training? What challenges remain, what recommendations can be made for improving training offers? The article has an extensive reference section covering training manuals and materials, organisations, resources and analyses. (updated and revised for 2011 print edition)
|
2011 07 2011 | ||
| Dirk Sprenger |
The Training Process: Achieving Social Impact by Training Individuals?
Discusses how to make sure that training for conflict transformation has an impact on conflict transformation. Written from a trainer's perspective, the article argues that the impact potential of training is heavily influenced by decisions made in the planning and realisation phase. The author shares his insights on analysis, strategy development, participant and trainer selection, training contents and formats, follow-up support, the importance of process, and unavoidable negative impacts.
|
2005 08 2005 | ||
| Ron Kraybill |
Facilitation Skills for Interpersonal Transformation
Describes the most important skills and tools facilitators need in order to enhance capacities at the individual and interpersonal level. The author presents: skills used in moment-by-moment interaction with parties; techniques for facilitating sustained dialogue; and principles of process design for addressing the larger institutional and structural realities of conflicts. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 08 2004 | ||
| Friedrich Glasl & Rudi Ballreich |
Team and Organisational Development as a Means for Conflict Prevention and Resolution
Offers conflict transformation approaches for groups, teams and organisations. The authors identify five levels of cooperation within teams (i.e. the level of individual members, the content level, the interaction level, the procedural level and the level of external relations between the group and its environment) and offer suggestions for addressing conflict within teams at each level. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 08 2004 | ||
| Norbert Ropers |
From Resolution to Transformation: The Role of Dialogue Projects
Presents dialogues as the classical means of constructively dealing with conflicts. The author gives an overview of ideal types and identifies the basic elements of most dialogue processes. He discusses dialogue in the context of various other approaches in order to establish criteria for measuring success. (revised for 2004 print edition)
|
2004 08 2004 | ||
| Michelle LeBaron |
Transforming Cultural Conflict in an Age of Complexity
Focuses on three distinct ways in which culture affects conflicts: culture as a lens that facilitates or blocks effective communication; culture and world view differences as the subject of conflicts; conflicts related to identity and recognition as facets of cultural differences. The author discusses challenges and concrete recommendations for process design in culturally-complex conflicts.
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2001 08 2001 |
Section IV: Structural Reforms, Institution Building and Violence Control
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Woodward
|
Varieties of State-Building in the Balkans: A Case for Shifting Focus
Takes a critical look at the debate on state failure, examining the various ways that state-building programmes have impacted on the successor states of the former Yugoslavia. The author shows how unchallenged assumptions, unrealistic expectations and ignorance of local contexts can lead to political orders being imposed with little regard for domestic legitimacy or locally-driven solutions. Instead of explaining away the predictably poor outcomes, she suggests the need for critical appraisal of those driving the state-building agenda. (The article builds on ideas first contributed to Dialogue Series No 8)
|
2011 09 2011 | ||
| Herbert Wulf
|
Security Sector Reform in Developing and Transitional Countries Revisited
Offers a comprehensive overview of current strands of debate, in the light of growing international interest in security sector reform. Highlighting how responsible and accountable security forces are crucial to the long-term success of peacebuilding and development efforts, the author surveys the engagement and experience of a broad range of military, diplomatic, development, security and other actors, identifying varied goals and some of the dilemmas faced in trying to instigate coherent reforms. (revised and updated for 2011 print edition; a previous version was first published in Dialogue Series No 2 in 2004)
Older version: Security Sector Reform in Developing and Transitional Countries (2004, in Berghof Handbook Dialogue No 2 on Security Sector Reform) |
2011 08 2011 | ||
| Luc Zandvliet
|
Conflict Transformation and the Corporate Agenda - Opportunities for Synergy
Explores answers to the question of why companies and conflict transformation advocates have difficulties in hearing each other in the debate on transforming conflict, or in working together to create just and stable environments. The author proposes a range of options for more constructive engagement along various stages of the investment cycle. (updated and revised for 2011 print edition)
|
2011 07 2011 | ||
| Volker Boege, Anne Brown, Kevin Clements & Anna Nolan |
On Hybrid Political Orders and Emerging States: State Formation in the Context of ‘Fragility’
Puts forth the claim that conflict transformation and peacebuilding need to be of a hybrid nature and combine traditional, state- and civil society-centred approaches in order to be successful. The authors critically discuss the discourse on failing states and the current state of the art in state-building. They review successes and failures in the context of Somaliland, Bougainville and East Timor.
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2008 08 2008 | ||
| Nick Killick, VS Srikantha & Canan Gündüz |
The Role of Local Business in Peacebuilding
Presents a wide range of examples for roles of local business in conflict resolution. It looks specifically at why it is useful to engage local businesses in peacebuilding, how this can best be approached, what forms such engagement can take - from the micro to the macro level - and with whom it is most likely to succeed.
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2005 08 2005 | ||
| Günther Baechler |
Conflict Transformation through State Reform
Explores the significance of state reform for transformation of war-torn areas. The author presents three strategic approaches: participatory strategies (i.e. democratisation, strengthening of civil society, dialogue); institution building and institutional reform (i.e. federalisation, decentralisation, constitutional and judicial reform); and security needs (i.e. human rights, human security). (revised for 2004 print edition)
Available translations:Sinhala / සිංහලTamil / தமிழ் Russian / РУССКИЙ Turkish / Türkçe Spanish / Español |
2004 08 2004 | ||
| Wibke Hansen, Oliver Ramsbotham & Tom Woodhouse |
Hawks and Doves: Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution
Discusses the dual goal of controlling violence while rebuilding cooperative relationships, which calls for an integration of academic approaches with peacekeeping practice. The authors highlight the relevance of conflict resolution theory for peacekeepers, commenting on areas of application and addressing future peacekeeping needs. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||
| Christine Bigdon & Benedikt Korf |
The Role of Development Aid in Conflict Transformation: Facilitating Empowerment Processes and Community Building
Highlights the role of development assistance for the structural aspects of peacebuilding. Exploring the nexus between participation, empowerment and conflict transformation, the authors critically discuss the potential of common participatory approaches at the community level and their impact for conflict transformation on the local level. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||
| Dusan Reljic |
The News Media and the Transformation of Ethnopolitical Conflicts
Presents proposals for reporting on ethnopolitical conflicts in a manner that fosters peace. The author offers a basic model to explain the impact of media, as well as discussing NGO activities and a proposal for reform efforts on the European level. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||
| Sandra Melone, Georgios Terzis & Ozsel Beleli |
Using the Media for Conflict Transformation: The Common Ground Experience
A case study of the role media can play in ethnopolitical conflict. The authors portray initiatives by the NGO European Centre for Common Ground in Greece and Turkey, Macedonia, Sierra Leone and Burundi and share lessons about the design, implementation and assessment of projects aimed at cooperating with media, promoting pluralism and fostering ethical standards in journalism.
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2002 08 2002 | ||
| Stephanie Schell Faucon |
Conflict Transformation through Educational and Youth Programmes
Debates opportunities and limits for conflict transformation through youth and educational work. The author explores theoretical and conceptual approaches, catalogues key methodologies, learning principles and desired outcomes for both formal and informal education. She also addresses on-going challenges.
|
2001 08 2001 |
Section V: Recovering from War – Post-Conflict Regeneration and Reconciliation
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martina Fischer
|
Transitional Justice and Reconciliation: Theory and Practice
Outlines two major strands of activity aimed at helping societies come to terms with the legacy of a violent past. The emerging paradigm of transitional justice is broadened out to incorporate gender justice and the many different aspects of truth recovery. The concept of reconciliation is discussed in light of its relevance to conflict transformation, also addressing the problems posed by selective remembrance, denial and victimhood. The author identifies open questions and stresses the need for more practice-orientated research.
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2011 09 2011 | ||
| Michelle Parlevliet
|
Human Rights and Conflict Transformation: Towards a More Integrated Approach
Moves beyond the stereotyped dichotomy of "justice vs. peace" and proposes that applying a perspective of human rights brings conflict transformation closer to its aims by forcing greater emphasis on structural conditions, especially the role of the state, systems of governance and issues of power. It discusses the practical demands and dilemmas of pursuing an integrated approach, focusing on asymmetric conflicts, resistance to change and clarity of roles. It offers examples from the author's own work in South Africa, Nepal and Northern Ireland. (updated for 2011 print edition; a longer version including an extensive literature review was first published in Dialogue Series No 9)
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2011 08 2011 | ||
| Oussama Safa |
Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation in the Arab World: The Work of Civil Society Organisations in Lebanon and Morocco
Adds a new regional perspective to the Handbook. The author introduces local projects and initiatives, reflecting on the role of community-based organisations and NGOs vis-à-vis the state, their achievements and shortcomings in the face of international and regional political developments and the integration of Islamic traditions and modern techniques for conflict resolution.
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2007 08 2007 | ||
| Martina Fischer |
Recovering from Violent Conflict: Regeneration and (Re-)Integration as Elements of Peacebuilding
Argues that (re-)integration of refugees and displaced persons is one of the main challenges and a precondition for conflict transformation. In this process, joint efforts are needed that combine development, economic perspectives and empowerment of local actors for civil-society engagement, peace education and social work. Lessons from the Balkans illustrate that coordination of activities is crucial. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||
| David Becker |
Dealing with the Consequences of Organised Violence in Trauma Work
Discusses theories of trauma by drawing on practical experience in Latin America and the Balkans. It argues that trauma concepts need to be continually reinvented, relating them to the specific context. The author suggests that trauma work should be part of an integrated approach in crisis regions and should address psychological, pedagogical and economic dimensions. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||
| Gunnar Theissen |
Supporting Justice, Co-Existence and Reconciliation after Armed Conflict: Strategies for Dealing with the Past
Explores different approaches to investigating and regulating past injustices in the aftermath of armed conflict. The author reviews the potential and risks associated with tribunals, community courts and truth commissions, and discusses how amnesty, reparation and grassroots initiatives for reconciliation can contribute to conflict transformation. (revised for 2004 print edition)
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2004 08 2004 | ||
| Kevin Clements |
Towards Conflict Transformation and a Just Peace
Deals with the challenges of linking theory, research and practice, and offers strategies for doing so in all relevant areas of social change. The author argues that the structural sources of conflict have been relatively neglected in conflict analysis and in the design of intervention processes. Until this situation is reversed, it will be difficult to generate stable, peaceful and just relationships. (revised for 2004 print edition)
Available translations:Sinhala / සිංහලTamil / தமிழ் Russian / РУССКИЙ Turkish / Türkçe Spanish / Español |
2004 08 2004 | ||
| Agneta Johannsen |
Participatory Action-Research in Post-Conflict Situations: The Example of the War-Torn Societies Project
Presents the case study of the UN-sponsored War-Torn Societies Project, which promotes a multi-level approach in order to facilitate conflict transformation on the ground and empower local/indigenous actors. (For current developments and projects, please refer to the website of the NGO Interpeace, which WSP has now evolved into: http://www.interpeace.org.)
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2001 08 2001 |
Glossary
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Glossary of Terms
This short glossary was published as part of the first print edition of the Berghof Handbook in 2004. The versions below (in Russian, Tamil and Sinhala) are revised and expanded glossaries in their own right, rather than literal translations.
|
2004 10 2004 |
Dialogue Series No 10 - Peace Infrastructures – Assessing Concept and Practice
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Unger, Stina Lundström, Katrin Planta and Beatrix Austin (eds.) |
Peace Infrastructures – Assessing Concept and Practice
This dialogue aims to leading the debate forward on the emerging practice and theory of “peace infrastructures”. The lead author and the respondents each give examples of peace infrastructures that they have been involved in as practitioners and/or academics, inviting for joint reflection on past experiences and possible practices for the future.
Drawing from examples from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, Colombia, Lebanon and Cyprus, to name a few, the authors of this volume discusses whether and how peace should be given “an address”—and if so, how we best can support peace infrastructures while avoiding pitfalls.
|
2013 01 2013 | ||
| Barbara Unger and Stina Lundström | 2012 12 2012 | |||
| Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka |
Giving Peace an Address? Reflections on the Potential and Challenges of Creating Peace Infrastructures
The article defines and narrows the emergent concept of "Peace Infrastructures" as networks of organisations established by conflict parties with the aim of building peace. Thus, it argues, infrastructures for peace have a great potential to contribute to peacebuilding, by strengthening the ownership and commitment of the stakeholders to the conflict.
Building on earlier ideas of John Paul Lederach, the emerging concept sets out criteria to distinguish infrastructures from other important actors such as peace constituencies or civil society networks. This article argues that peace infrastructures serve different objectives and function at various stages of a peace process. By linking them vertically and horizontally, they can cover all levels of peacebuilding and constitute relevant entry points for peacebuilding support.
Given their particular characteristics, peace infrastructures, however, face diverse challenges with a view to legitimacy and inclusiveness, and depend on their owners' political will and leadership. The article invites the reader to examine existing structures thoroughly in order to understand and enhance their contribution to peacebuilding in the future.
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2012 12 2012 | ||
| Oliver P. Richmond | 2012 12 2012 | |||
| Hannes Siebert | 2012 12 2012 | |||
| Borja Paladini Adell | 2012 12 2012 | |||
| Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka | 2012 12 2012 |
Dialogue Series No 9 - Human Rights and Conflict Transformation
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Véronique Dudouet & Beatrix Schmelzle (eds.) |
Human Rights and Conflict Transformation. The Challenges of Just Peace
Contributors to this Dialogue aim to go beyond the divide and polarising language of "peace versus justice" in order to gain a clearer understanding of the potential – and limits – of bringing together human rights and conflict transformation in specific contexts. Drawing evidence from contexts such as Nepal, South Africa, Israel/Palestine, Uganda and Colombia, they argue that a more thorough emphasis on human rights – as causes and manifestation of conflicts, but also as normative and practical intervention tools – contributes to bringing conflict transformation closer to its aim of tackling conflicts at their deepest roots. The lead author and respondents engage in a rich dialogue on areas of tensions as well as complementarity between the two sets of practices: they encourage mutual learning and joint work, and stress the importance of locally-designed, timely and context-specific initiatives, as well as the hard-nosed analysis of political context and use of human rights and conflict transformation discourses.
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2010 06 2010 | ||||
| Beatrix Schmelzle and Véronique Dudouet | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Michelle Parlevliet | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Thomas Diez and Emily Pia | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Alice Nderitu | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Eileen F. Babbitt | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Albert Gomes-Mugumya | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Marwan Darweish | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Mauricio García-Durán | 2010 06 2010 | |||||
| Michelle Parlevliet | 2010 05 2010 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 8 - Building Peace in the Absence of States
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martina Fischer & Beatrix Schmelzle (eds.) |
Building Peace in the Absence of States: Challenging the Discourse on State Failure
The exchange between the lead authors and the discussants in this dialogue vividly illustrates the need to shift from a state-centric view, yet without entirely rejecting the notion of state. At the same time it shows the difficulties of integrating concepts of political order that do not correspond with the western-style Weberian/Westphalian state. Instead of advocating ideal-type, off-the-shelf models and blue-prints, the contributors to this dialogue argue that historically well-informed analysis, which leads to a deeper contextualized understanding of the local and regional situation on the ground, has to be the bedrock of any attempts for external assistance aimed at peace and development. They discuss evidence and counter-examples from Somaliland, Afghanistan, Liberia through to the Balkans and East Timor.
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2009 08 2009 | ||||
| Martina Fischer and Beatrix Schmelzle | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Volker Boege, Anne Brown, Kevin Clements and Anna Nolan |
On Hybrid Political Orders and Emerging States: What is Failing – States in the Global South or Research and Politics in the West? |
2009 08 2009 | ||||
| Trutz von Trotha | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Susan L. Woodward | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Andreas Mehler | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Susanne Schmeidl (with Masood Karokhail) | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Bjoern Hofmann | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Volker Boege, Anne Brown, Kevin Clements and Anna Nolan | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 7 - Peacebuilding at a Crossroads?
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrix Schmelzle & Martina Fischer (eds.) |
Peacebuilding at a Crossroads? Dilemmas and Paths for Another Generation
In this Dialogue, practitioners and researchers reflect on the conditions of success or failure in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. The lead article expresses a lingering worry that complex economic and environmental crises, international factors of violence and war, and an underlying 'murkiness' of values may overwhelm the best efforts for social change and create a feeling that we are “just wasting our time”. The comments emphasize that values and approaches - as well as the international context, power politics and injustice - should be the objects of critical analysis. Investment in learning, honest self-reflection and critical peace research appear to be a must for effective practice. Others stress a need for more effective public mobilization for the effective prevention of violence. Many additional questions are raised and present food for thought for an ongoing debate.
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2009 08 2009 | ||||
| Martina Fischer and Beatrix Schmelzle | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Simon Fisher and Lada Zimina | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Louis Kriesberg | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Diana Chigas and Peter Woodrow | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Martina Weitsch | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Goran Bozicevic | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Ulrike Hopp and Barbara Unger | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Martina Fischer | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
| Simon Fisher and Lada Zimina | 2009 08 2009 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 6 - A Systemic Approach to Conflict Transformation
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniela Körppen, Beatrix Schmelzle & Oliver Wils (eds.) |
A Systemic Approach to Conflict Transformation. Exploring Strengths and Limitations
It has taken a few feedback loops, and now we proudly present this Dialogue. Norbert Ropers’ lead article lays out a rich array of systemic ideas originating from both research and practice, applied in the context of Sri Lanka. The respondents reflect, among other things, on additional tools and techniques, comparative experiences in Nepal and Kenya and the added value and utility of systemic conflict transformation.
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2008 08 2008 | ||||
| Daniela Körppen and Beatrix Schmelzle | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
| Norbert Ropers |
Systemic Conflict Transformation: Reflections on the Conflict and Peace Process in Sri Lanka |
2008 08 2008 | ||||
| Friedrich Glasl | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
| Günther Baechler | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
| Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
| Dekha Ibrahim Abdi | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
| Dan Smith | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
| Norbert Ropers | 2008 08 2008 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 5 - Social Change and Conflict Transformation
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Bloomfield, Martina Fischer & Beatrix Schmelzle (eds.) |
Social Change and Conflict Transformation
In his lead article, Christopher Mitchell, Professor Emeritus of George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR), sets out a framework for thinking systematically about the relationship between conflict and (social) change. He considers necessary changes to bring about the resolution of conflict, as well as obstacles to such changes, and envisions possible roles for agents of change. Five authors have expanded on, and critically reviewed, this lead article: Ed Garcia (International Alert), Chris Spies (UNDP Guyana), Ilana Shapiro (University of Massachusetts), Vivienne Jabri (King's College London) and Daniela Körppen (Berghof Peace Support).
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2006 08 2006 | ||||
| Beatrix Schmelzle & David Bloomfield | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Christopher R. Mitchell | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Ed Garcia | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Chris F. J. Spies | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Ilana Shapiro | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Vivienne Jabri | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Daniela Körppen | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
| Christopher R. Mitchell | 2006 08 2006 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 4 - New Trends in Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA)
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Bloomfield, Martina Fischer & Beatrix Schmelzle (eds.) |
New Trends in PCIA
Questions of effectiveness, impact and evaluation continue to be most relevant for the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation: Adam Barbolet, Rachel Goldwyn, Hesta Groenewald & Andrew Sherriff report with intimate knowledge on the development of "conflict sensitivity" as an alternative to PCIA; Kenneth Bush sends thought-provoking "field notes", reflecting on his learning in the context of applying PCIA in the South; Thania Paffenholz presents a comprehensive overview of the "Aid for Peace Approach". Short reflection papers by all authors shed light on progress and controversy regarding the new trends in peace and conflict impact assessment.
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2005 08 2005 | ||
| Beatrix Schmelzle | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Adam Barbolet, Rachel Goldwyn, Hesta Groenewald & Andrew Sherriff | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Kenneth Bush | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Kenneth Bush | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Thania Paffenholz | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Adam Barbolet, Rachel Goldwyn, Hesta Groenewald & Andrew Sherriff | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Kenneth Bush | 2005 08 2005 | |||
| Thania Paffenholz | 2005 08 2005 |
Dialogue Series No 3 - Transforming War Economies
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martina Fischer & Beatrix Schmelzle (eds.) |
Transforming War Economies. Dilemmas and Strategies
This Dialogue sets out to assess the usefulness of current analytic approaches and policy recommendations in dealing constructively with war economies. Starting off with an overview of the state of the debate by Karen Ballentine and Heiko Nitzschke, respondents from a broad variety of backgrounds add their reflections, strategies and critique.
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2005 08 2005 | ||||
| Martina Fischer & Beatrix Schmelzle | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
| Karen Ballentine & Heiko Nitzschke | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
| Olu Arowobusoye | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
| Peter Lock | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
| Nicola Palmer | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
| Volker Böge & Angelika Spelten | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
| Karen Ballentine & Heiko Nitzschke | 2005 08 2005 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 2 - Security Sector Reform
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clem McCartney, Martina Fischer & Oliver Wils (eds.) |
Security Sector Reform - Potentials and Challenges for Conflict Transformation
Violent crises and internal wars are often consequences of the failure of states to provide stability and security for their citizens. International organisations and development agencies, in order to overcome cultures of violence and to support nation-building processes, have focused on security sector reform as an integral part of third-party intervention in recent years. This issue of the Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series examines the arguments for engagement with the security sector and provides an analysis of the dilemmas that arise, along with suggestions for how they might be overcome.
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2004 08 2004 | ||||
| Clem McCartney, Martina Fischer & Oliver Wils | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
| Herbert Wulf |
Security Sector Reform in Developing and Transitional Countries |
2004 08 2004 | ||||
| Nicole Ball | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
| Marina Caparini | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
| Vanessa A. Farr | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
| Muhammad Najib Azca | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
| Laurie Nathan | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
| Herbert Wulf | 2004 08 2004 | |||||
Dialogue Series No 1 - Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment
| Author | Title / Description | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Austin, Martina Fischer & Oliver Wils (eds.) |
Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment. Critical Views on Theory and Practice
Over the last ten years, interest in conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities has increased significantly. As a result of this interest, there is a high demand for "model" projects, examples of good practice and "lessons learned" which can be transferred to other projects and regions. Supply, though, does not match this demand. There are still no quick and easy answers to the question of how best to assess, monitor and evaluate peace practices. On the contrary, experience shows that assessing and measuring the impact and outcomes of peacebuilding activities is actually a very complicated task. The articles and comments in this first issue of the Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series reflect the state of the art in peace and conflict impact assessment (PCIA) from a variety of angles.
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2003 08 2003 | ||
| Martina Fischer & Oliver Wils | 2003 08 2003 | |||
| Mark Hoffman | 2003 08 2003 | |||
| Kenneth Bush | 2003 08 2003 | |||
| Manuela Leonhardt | 2003 08 2003 | |||
| Christoph Feyen & Hans Gsaenger | 2003 08 2003 | |||
| Marc Howard Ross | 2003 08 2003 | |||
| Jay Rothman | 2003 08 2003 |