Conflict and Peace

The Group takes the approach that conflict presents opportunity. Conflict analysis is multidisciplinary and has as its purpose the development of interventions that address the causes of conflict while strengthening respect for and enjoyment of individual and collective human rights, and of a country's democracy. Conflict is presumed to be a natural phenomenon in a democratic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country. Conflicts, and weaknesses identified in the democratic system as part of the conflict analysis, offer the possibility of practical and effective solutions.

Yet conflict is often violent. As a result, analyzing and treating it requires informed reflection on the terms of international humanitarian law, as well as review of materials on the prevention and reduction of violent conflict.

Often the term "prevention" is used by development agencies whose philosophy is based on the principle that policies and development programs can treat the deep, underlying structural causes of conflict, thereby preventing future conflict. United Nations agencies use the term in reference to the prevention of the use of armed force, while other analysts use it as a global term for intervention at different points during the course of a conflict.

The term "conflict management" is generally used to encompass a broad range of activities or processes (from analysis to intervention) carried out over the duration of a conflict and may include the containment if not resolution of the conflict. The Group has extensive experience with conflicts, both social and violent, at every point of intervention, from analysis, to development of a lasting peace, and reconstruction after armed conflict.

The Group specializes in: