Our Library

Questions of effectiveness, impact and evaluation continue to be most relevant for the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation: Adam Barbolet, Rachel Goldwyn, Hesta Groenewald & Andrew Sherriff report with intimate knowledge on the development of "conflict sensitivity" as an alternative to PCIA; Kenneth Bush sends thought-provoking "field notes", reflecting on his learning in the context of applying PCIA in the South; Thania Paffenholz presents a comprehensive overview of the "Aid for Peace Approach". Short reflection papers by all authors shed light on progress and controversy regarding the new trends in peace and conflict impact assessment.

• Year2005

This Dialogue sets out to assess the usefulness of current analytic approaches and policy recommendations in dealing constructively with war economies. Starting off with an overview of the state of the debate by Karen Ballentine and Heiko Nitzschke, respondents from a broad variety of backgrounds add their reflections, strategies and critique.

• Year2005

This study deals with youth in war-to-peace transitions and the response of international organizations to them. While youth’s relevance for societal transformation is a long-acknowledged fact, their large numbers and potential roles in conflict have recently caused organizations to consider them a target group for peace and development programs. Reflecting on this process, this study thus assesses the difficulties in conceptualizing the role of youth in peace-building processes on the one hand and the concrete efforts of international organizations to integrate them into their policies and programs on the other. For this purpose, it explores four guiding questions: First, what approaches have international organizations developed regarding youth? Second, on which assumptions about youth and their role in violent conflicts are they based? Third, how do the different approaches affect program development, and, fourth, are they are compatible?

• Year2005
• Author(s)Yvonne Kemper

Preface to the 2004 print edition of the Berghof Handbook, "Transforming Ethnopolitical Conflict".

• Year2004
• Author(s)Martina Fischer, Norbert Ropers

Highlights conflict transformation approaches as necessarily having to deal with the closely linked categories of power asymmetries, gender inequality and cultural difference. The author argues that an overarching, global culture of domination exists. The emancipation of marginalised groups stimulates, and results from, the fundamental culture shift which conflict transformation implies. (revised for 2004 print edition).

• Year2004
• Author(s)Diana Francis

Offers a general overview and tentative interpretation of the state of the art in the field. The author introduces three distinct approaches: conflict settlement, conflict resolution and conflict transformation. She reviews the field's research agenda and research questions, and the role of theory and methodology. (revised for 2004 print edition)

• Year2004
• Author(s)Cordula Reimann

Identifies key theorists and modes of practice. The author attempts to distinguish these from the theories and practices of conflict resolution and conflict management, arguing that conflict transformation draws heavily on these earlier traditions. (revised for 2004 print edition)

• Year2004
• Author(s)Hugh Miall

Discusses theoretical questions concerning the civilised management of conflicts. The author proposes that, if civil or international war is a result of anarchy, then it only can be addressed by a social order built at national, regional and international levels. The author presents a model of complex peace architecture, i.e. the "civilisational hexagon". (revised for 2004 print edition)

• Year2004
• Author(s)Dieter Senghaas

Gives an overview of current findings on causes of armed conflict, identifying injustice and mobilisation as key concepts. The author shares insights on where to look for signs of potential escalation, where to seek and how to utilise opportunities for preventing violent escalation. (revised for 2004 print edition)

• Year2004
• Author(s)Dan Smith

Introduces early warning activities and identifies different areas of focus, methodologies and mechanisms employed. The author discusses critically whether existing early warning systems can: a) identify the causes of conflict; b) predict the outbreak of conflict; and c) mitigate conflict. (revised for 2004 print edition)

• Year2004
• Author(s)Alex Austin