Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Short Description:

USIP experts work on active conflicts, supporting training and education, developing tools for practitioners and identifying best practices for ending violence.

Introduction:

The Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution designs and manages the Institute's efforts in areas where fighting is active. The Center also conducts research, identifies best practices, develops new peacemaking tools, and supports related training and education efforts.

The Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution conducts work in the following zones of conflict:

Arab-Israeli Relations [1]- USIP is targeting a series of obstacles confronting a new peace process: institutional capacity to make compromises; unwillingness of Israeli and Palestinian publics to demand or support such compromises; and improved understanding among American policymakers of the U.S. role in—and practices for—peacemaking. | Read a Special Report on mapping peace between Syria and Israel [2]
Nigeria [3] -Nigeria is rife with conflicts over petroleum resources and religion. Amidst this situation, the Center is working on peace efforts for the Niger Delta region, including working collaboratively with local governments, oil companies, and Nigerian NGOs. | Read a Peace Brief on the Niger Delta [4]
Sudan [5] - Amidst challenges on multiple fronts, including the ongoing conflict in Darfur, a fragile Comprehensive Peace Agreement, upcoming nationwide elections, and the 2011 referendum on national unity, USIP is: training communities in the North, South and Three Areas on electoral violence prevention and conflict resolution, analyzing political and economic measures needed to promote a sustainable peace in post-2011 Sudan, and engaging Darfur Diaspora in an effort to strengthen consensus on how to build peace in Darfur. | Read a Peace Brief on Sudan [6]
Colombia [7]- In spite of prolonged and chronic internal armed conflict, limited advances in peacebuilding have been realized in Colombia, including demobilization of paramilitaries. USIP is working on a number of initiatives, including ecumenical peacemaking in Colombia, the Cucuta Peacebuilding and Training Network and targeted investments in local peacebuilding projects. | Read about an event on Colombia [8]
Sri Lanka [9] - Amidst a bloody conflict that has lasted a quarter century and a halting peace process, USIP continues to be actively engaged in the country through interfaith dialogue and investments in local peacebuilding projects. | Read about an event on Sri Lanka [10]

Leadership:

David R. Smock [11]

Image:

Featured (HTML):

Darfur Diaspora Consultation 2010 [12]
USIP is actively working with the Darfurian Diaspora to discuss issues related to Darfur. In January 2010, USIP convened Darfurians from the North America-based Diaspora, one representative from the European Diaspora, and another from Cairo, for a two-day consultation focused on the role of civil society in any peace process, role of external actors, and next steps in moving the peace process forward.

Managing a Mediation Process Web Handbook
[13] The web version of Managing a Mediation Process [13] allows readers not only to view and search the full text of the handbook but also to link instantly to more detailed resources, including analyses, educational materials, tools, and news.

Featured Resources:

Peacemaker’s Toolkit [14]

An Education Track for the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process [15]

Links:
[1] http://www.usip.org/programs/initiatives/arab-israeli-relations
[2] http://www.usip.org/resources/mapping-peace-between-syria-and-israel
[3] http://www.usip.org/countries-regions/africa/western-africa/nigeria
[4] http://www.usip.org/resources/crisis-in-the-niger-delta
[5] http://www.usip.org/countries-regions/africa/northern-africa/sudan
[6] http://www.usip.org/resources/six-critical-points-sudan-and-its-future
[7] http://www.usip.org/countries-continents/south-america/colombia
[8] http://www.usip.org/events/displacement-in-colombia
[9] http://www.usip.org/countries-continents/asia/sri-lanka
[10] http://www.usip.org/events/discussion-jehan-perera-and-paikiasothy-saravanamuttu
[11] http://www.usip.org/specialists/david-r-smock
[12] http://www.usip.org/programs/projects/darfur-disapora-consultation-2010
[13] http://www.usip.org/programs/projects/managing-mediation-process
[14] http://www.usip.org/resources/peacemaker-s-toolkit
[15] http://www.usip.org/resources/education-track-the-israeli-palestinian-peace-process