The Partners in Conflict/Partners in Peacebuilding Projects work to facilitate the prevention or transformation of complex, violent conflicts, strengthen civil society, and promote transitions to appropriate and sustainable forms of democracy, using the techniques of multi-track or citizens' diplomacy. Building on the pioneering work of CIDCM's founding director, Edward Azar, the directors of the Project have developed related projects in dozens of countries around the world, including in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Burma/Thailand/China, Israel/Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Russia, Armenia/Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Lesotho, Senegal, Argentina, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Guyana, Ecuador/Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The Projects work with local partners in vulnerable, high-risk countries or communities to help them build a sustainable, just, and inclusive peace. Finding common ground across cultural, religious, ethnic and political divides, partners representing the parties to a conflict collaborate in promoting constructive change primarily through addressing human needs. They also draw on CIDCM’s analytical data and risk assessments to identify national or group risk factors for escalating conflict or instability that need to be addressed. In addition, Partners in Conflict/Partners in Peacebuilding helps to build capacity for conflict prevention and transformation through providing training programs in multi-track diplomacy, both locally and overseas.
The Partners in Conflict/Partners in Peacebuilding Project is co-directed by Edward Kaufman and John Davies.