RSSFirst New Articles from 2011 Print Volume Online: Conflict Trends and State of the Art
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…