10/2011
A new piece by Diana Francis completes our new online additions for the time being. In New Thoughts on Power: Closing the Gap between Theory and Action, she 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?
10/2011
The first new addition of this week is a contribution by Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church entitled Evaluating Peacebuilding: Not Yet All It Could Be. It 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. And with that, we have one more new addition to look forward to. Stay tuned!
10/2011
The second “new entry” for this week is Susan Woodward’s critical and thought-provoking discussion of appraoches to state-building in the Western Balkans. Located in Section IV of the Handbook, 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.) Happy reading – and till next week, when the final two new articles from Berghof Handbook II will go online!
10/2011
In Section V of our handbook you now find a new article on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation: Theory and Practice. In it, Martina Fischer 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. Systematically, open questions are explored and the need for more practice-orientated research is stressed. Enjoy the read – and look forward to more to come (on state-building in the Western Balkans, on evaluation, and on power).
09/2011
A fresh perspective on mediation is delivered by Hans J. Giessmann and Oliver Wils in their contribution to Advancing Conflict Transformation, the second print volume of the Berghof Handbook. In Seeking Compromise? Mediation through the Eyes of Conflict Parties, they adopt 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. This article is nicely complemented by Ron Fisher’s contribution Methods of Third-Party Intervention, also part of the 2011 print volume of the Berghof Handbook. Enjoy!
09/2011
This week’s first new online addition from Berghof Handbook II is Gender Relations, Violence and Conflict Transformation by Cilja Harders. The article in Section I 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.
Happy reading, and, as always, let us know your thoughts and reactions.
09/2011
This week, we’re featuring two brand new articles on the state of the art of conflict transformation and new trends in organised violence. Both have been written for the latest print volume of the Berghof Handbook, Advancing Conflict Transformation. They are taking stock of what has been achieved in worldwide reduction of violence, and at the same time point to open questions for research, policy and practice:
Louis Krieberg’s The State of the Art in Conflict Transformation in Section I points to several 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.
In A More Violent World? Global Trends in Organised Violence, a team from the Human Security Report Project – Tara Cooper, Sebastian Merz and Mila Shah - 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 extends beyond state-based conflicts to also cover non-state actors involved in conflict and assaults that target civilians. You’ll find the article in Articles, Section II.
Happy reading! You may look forward to new articles on gender relations and mediation to go online next week…
08/2011
12 revised and upated articles – which are published in hard copy as part of Advancing Conflict Transformation. Berghof Handbook II – are now also available online. They are distributed across the 5 thematic sections of the online Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation as follows:
Section I on Concepts and Cross-Cutting Challenges now contains new versions of – Conflict, Change and Conflict Resolution by Christopher R. Mitchell
– Civil Society in Conflict Transformation: Strengths and Limitations by Martina Fischer
– Potential and Limits of Traditional Approaches in Peacebuilding by Volker Boege
– A Systemic Approach: Reflections on Sri Lanka by Norbert Ropers
Section II on Analysing Conflict and Assessing Conflict Transformation now contains a new version of
– “Frameworkers” and “Circlers” – Exploring Assumptions in Impact Assessment by Reina C. Neufeldt
Section III on Third-Party Tools and Capacity Building now contains new versions of
– Nonviolent Resistance in Power Asymmetries by Véronique Dudouet
– Preparing for Nonviolence: Experiences in the Western Balkans by Nenad Vukosavljevic
– Methods of Third-Party Intervention by Ronald J. Fisher
– Training for Conflict Transformation – An Overview of Approaches by Beatrix Austin
Section IV on Structural Reforms, Institution-Buiding and Violence Control now contains new versions of
– Security Sector Reform in Developing and Transitional Countries Revisited by Herbert Wulf
– Conflict Transformation and the Corporate Agenda – Opportunities for Synergy by Luc Zandvliet
Section V, finally, on Post-Conflict Regeneration and Reconciliation now contains a new version of
– Human Rights and Conflict Transformation: Towards a More Integrated Approach by Michelle Parlevliet
The final installment of the new additions to the print edition Advancing Conflict Transformation. The Berghof Handbook II will follow in due course. For now, we wish you happy reading and exploring!
07/2011
As the first in the series of all articles from the newly published Berghof Handbook II (Advancing Conflict Transformation), the foreword and introduction are now available online. We hope they whet your appetite for the pieces to come over the next couple of months! Enjoy.
07/2011
It is with great pleasure that we announce that the second print volume of our Berghof Handbook has now been published and is on its way to the bookstores. It collects new insights into nonviolent ways of managing inter-group conflict and what is needed for consolidating positive peace. It brings you 20 new or revised articles not previously available in print and continues our tradition of gathering scholars and practitioners in one conversation. Topics include, among others: global trends in organised violence, the role of gender relations and asymmetries in conflict, third-party intervention and insider approaches, human rights, transitional justice and reconciliation in post-war societies.
The book details are as follows:
Advancing Conflict Transformation. The Berghof Handbook II
edited by B. Austin; M. Fischer; H.J. Giessmann
Opladen/Farmington Hills: Barbara Budrich Publ., 2011
560 pp.
ISBN 978-3-86649-327-8
49,90 Euro, US$75.95, GBP 46.95
Over the course of the summer, we will also successively make available on this website the single chapters of this edition as pdf downloads, starting with the Introduction.
For more information, please check out the flyer flyer and the table of contents. You can order via publisher’s homepage or your online booksellers.
09/2009
We proudly present a new article in Section V: Rethinking Conflict Transformation from a Human Rights Perspective by Michelle Parlevliet. This article moves beyond the stereotype 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 practical demands and dilemmas of an integrated approach, focusing on asymmetric conflicts, resistance to change and role clarity. It offers a wealth of examples from the author’s own work in South Africa, Nepal and Northern Ireland. It also includes an annex with an extensive review of past literature on human rights and conflict resolution.
09/2008
Berghof’s own Veronique Dudouet offers an exciting new contribution to the Handbook’s Section III: Her article Nonviolent Resistance and Conflict Transformation in Power Asymmetries explores the contexts and conditions in which nonviolent resistance can contribute to successful and sustainable conflict transformation processes. She introduces the concept, aims and methods of nonviolent action and explores conceptual and empirical developments across the 20th and 21st centuries. Furthermore, she illustrates the potential and limits of nonviolent resistance in transforming asymmetric power structures and in encouraging democratic practices, using the example of the Palestinian first intifada in the Israeli/Palestinian struggle.
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