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Mediation and Facilitation

Latest from USIP on Mediation and Facilitation

  • November 20, 2009   |   Event
    Diplomacy in the Balkans

    In a major diplomatic victory for both countries, Kosovo and Macedonia recently concluded the demarcation of their shared border. This process of diplomacy, cooperation, confidence-building and reconciliation was conducted by a Joint Technical Commission (JTC) comprised of the two state parties and the International Civilian Office (ICO). 

  • November 10, 2009   |   Resource
    Lebanon's Unstable Equilibrium

    In the wake of Lebanon forming a new government, USIP assesses how the country can ensure ongoing political progress and stability.

  • October 1, 2009   |   Event
    Media as Global Diplomat II: New Findings on the Science of Media and Conflict

    While public diplomacy experts struggle to develop strategic communications campaigns to win hearts and minds abroad, new research on the frontiers of neuroscience and psychology suggests a different approach.

  • September 18, 2009   |   Resource
    Preventing Violent Conflict

    How well does the international community work to prevent the outbreak of new wars? In a special report, "Preventing Violent Conflict: Assessing Progress, Meeting Challenges," USIP's Lawrence Woocher examines the current status of conflict prevention as an international norm and argues for enhanced global attention on conflict prevention strategy relative to more reactive responses, such as post-conflict rebuilding and resolving existing conflicts.

  • September 17, 2009   |   Resource
    Crisis in the Niger Delta

    USIP's David Smock explores the factors underlying and perpetuating the militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In this report, based on an 11-day trip to Nigeria in late August 2009, Smock analyzes the prospects for the amnesty process, and why stronger political processes and economic development could help address the roots of the conflict there.

  • September 9, 2009   |   Resource
    Six Important Issues for Sudan and Its Future

    Most international attention devoted to Sudan has focused on the nationwide elections and the 2011 referendum on the status of southern Sudan.  Yet, there are other aspects of the north-south dynamic deserving of discussion and strategic thinking that don't receive their due.  In a new Peace Brief, USIP's Jon Temin examines six important issues and questions that require more consideration as the decisive events in Sudan’s political history approach.

  • September 9, 2009   |   Event
    Independent Diplomat: Conflict Prevention and Diplomacy
  • July 16, 2009   |   Event
    Smart Tools for Smart Power: Simulations and Serious Games for Peacebuilding

    USIP's Center of Innovation for Science, Technology and Peacebuilding hosted a full-day multimedia showcase of state-of-the-art simulation and "serious gaming" tools that promise to transform the way that peacebuilding organizations train, plan and collaborate. The "Smart Tools for Smart Power" event featured presentations from such innovators as IBM, the Army War College, EBay, Lockheed Martin, Second Life, and USIP's own Education and Training Center.  U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer Beth Noveck presented the keynote address.

  • July 13, 2009   |   Event
    New Hopes for Peace: What America Must Do To End the Israel-Palestine Conflict

    Former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State James Baker, and former national security advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft speak about America’s role in crafting peace between Israel and Palestine in Landrum Bolling’s newly released short film.

  • July 10, 2009   |   Event
    Negotiating with the Taliban: Reconciliation in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

    What is the potential for political negotiations and reconciliation to resolve the armed conflict raging on both sides of the Durand Line that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan?

  • June 2, 2009   |   Event
    Forgiveness: "A stunningly original strategy"?
  • May 4, 2009   |   Resource
    Core Conflict Management Resources

    An online toolkit for peacemakers, negotiators, and other conflict management practitioners.

  • April 16, 2009   |   Resource
    Healing the Holy Land: Interreligious Peacebuilding in Israel/Palestine

    This publication documents faith-based efforts by Muslim, Jewish, and Christians to achieve a just peace in the Arab/Israeli conflict. The publication argues forcefully that religious leaders and interests must be engaged in the peace process in order to assure a sustainable, inclusive, and comprehensive settlement. The report includes the perspectives of clergy, lay, facilitators of inter-faith dialogue, religious educators, and participants in the historic Alexandria Summit in January 2002, which convened high-level clergy to voice a religious commitment to and strategy for achieving peace in the region.

  • April 16, 2009   |   Resource
    DVD: The Imam and the Pastor

    This documentary, produced by IFT Films, with USIP support, follows the story of Pastor James Wuye and Imam Mohammad Ashafa of Nigeria. Pastor James and Imam Ashafa are former members of competing militias in Nigeria who experienced personal transformations through their friendship and now work cooperatively to head the Inter-Faith Mediation Centre, supported by USIP. This documentary captures Pastor James and Imam Ashafa at work building relationships between Muslim and Christian clergy and leading training in conflict prevention, mediation, and reconciliation. To order the film, visit the IFT Film website: http://www.fltfilms.org.uk

  • April 1, 2009   |   Resource
    Won’t You Be My Neighbor: Syria, Iraq and the Changing Strategic Context in the Middle East

    Overall, Syria has marginally benefited from the war in Iraq at both the regional and international levels. After watching the U.S. military unseat the Baathist regime next door in 2003 with unprecedented speed, it looked to many observers—including some in Damascus—as if Syria would be next in line.

A country that is at risk for, in the midst of or recovering from conflict has needs that no one expert or organization can provide. Often, humanitarian organizations work to address basic human needs for food, shelter and medicine; military or international organizations may have armed forces providing security; and governance experts may be helping local officials establish or improve legal frameworks and government agencies.

No two countries or situations are the same, but experts have identified many issues that emerge in nearly every conflict or post-conflict setting. The list of issue areas aims to aid researchers and practitioners by grouping USIP events, publications and resources by topic.